In a bold move that’s shaking up China’s EV market, Xiaomi has officially launched the YU7 SUV, its second all-electric vehicle, describing it as a luxury performance SUV tailored for what Lei Jun, the company’s founder and CEO, called “the elite of the times.”
The YU7 marks Xiaomi’s foray into the mid to large-size SUV segment, a space Tesla’s Model Y has long dominated in China. However, with the YU7’s bold specs and advanced features, Xiaomi isn’t merely entering the competition; it’s raising the bar.
The YU7’s dimensions immediately draw attention. Measuring 4,999 mm in length, 1,996 mm in width, and 1,600 mm in height, with a generous wheelbase of 3,000 mm, it eclipses the refreshed Tesla Model Y in physical footprint. Tesla’s offering, by comparison, comes in at 4,797 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,624 mm high, with a slightly shorter wheelbase of 2,890 mm. This added size signals Xiaomi’s aim to deliver a more spacious and potentially more comfortable driving experience.
But size is just the beginning. During the event, Lei Jun made a point of comparing the YU7 directly to the Model Y, not as an aspirant, but as a superior. “The YU7 will be more competitive,” Lei remarked, referencing a confident statement Tesla made back in January when it claimed that its Model Y would not fear any competition from local brands. That confidence now faces its toughest test yet.
Xiaomi is offering the YU7 in three versions: Standard, Pro, and Max. While the company hasn’t released pricing details, the technical specifications speak volumes. The Standard model features a single-motor, rear-wheel drive setup that generates 320 PS, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.88 seconds. The Pro and Max variants ramp things up with dual motors, delivering 496 Ps and 690 Ps respectively, with the Max variant achieving blistering acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.23 seconds. In contrast, the Tesla Model Y’s two versions accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 and 4.3 seconds, a respectable performance, but now outpaced.
One of the YU7’s most significant advantages lies in its driving range. Lei Jun stressed the importance of this metric during the launch, noting that “range is the first thing consumers should consider when buying an EV.” Backing that up, Xiaomi equipped the Standard and Pro models with 96.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery packs, offering CLTC-rated ranges of 835 km and 770 km, respectively. The Max version gets an even more powerful 101.7 kWh lithium ternary battery, with a range of 760 km. Tesla’s Model Y, in comparison, delivers 593 km and 719 km CLTC range, which puts Xiaomi ahead in this crucial category.
Charging speed is another battleground where Xiaomi makes a compelling case. Built on an 800-volt high-voltage platform, the YU7 supports ultra-fast charging and can gain up to 620 kilometers of range in just 15 minutes. According to Lei, the Model Y requires 27 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%, highlighting a significant efficiency gap.
Technologically, the YU7 is no slouch either. It is equipped with Nvidia’s latest Thor smart driving chip, boasting 700 TOPS of computing power, a leap forward in AI-assisted driving capability. Additional touches like air suspension enhance ride comfort, cementing the YU7’s position as a performance-luxury SUV rather than just a utilitarian electric car.
The timing of Xiaomi’s entry could not be more strategic. While Tesla’s Model Y remains a popular choice, with 480,309 units sold in China in 2024 accounting for nearly 75% of the company’s sales in the country, its growth is slowing. After a surge of 85.64% in 2022 and 44.74% in 2023, growth in 2024 tapered to just 5.24%. More tellingly, sales between January and April 2025 dipped 19.61% year-over-year. The rise of strong local competition like the YU7 could further erode Tesla’s market hold.
Despite being a newcomer, Xiaomi has already proven its ability to shake the EV market. The SU7, launched in March 2024, has sold more than 258,000 units to date, propelling Xiaomi rapidly into the global top ten for battery electric vehicle sales. According to TrendForce, Xiaomi ranked eighth worldwide in Q1 2025, despite offering only one model at the time.
