Xiaomi has officially launched its first SUV, the YU7, positioning it as a direct competitor to Tesla's Model Y in the fiercely contested electric vehicle (EV) market. The YU7's debut has been met with considerable enthusiasm, evidenced by the remarkable feat of securing over 200,000 firm orders within the first three minutes of its launch.

Pricing and Variants

Xiaomi is offering the YU7 in three distinct variants: Standard, Pro, and Max. The starting price for the Standard model is RMB 253,500 (approximately $35,360 USD), undercutting the Tesla Model Y's starting price of RMB 263,500 in China. The Pro variant is priced at RMB 279,900 (approximately $39,000 USD), while the top-tier Max version comes in at RMB 329,900 (around $46,000 USD). These competitive prices, coupled with impressive specifications, position the YU7 as an attractive alternative in the electric SUV segment.

Performance and Range

The Xiaomi YU7 boasts impressive performance figures across its range. The Standard version features a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive configuration with 320 horsepower, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.88 seconds. The Pro and Max variants are equipped with dual-motor, all-wheel-drive systems, delivering 496 horsepower and 690 horsepower, respectively. The Max variant achieves a blistering 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 3.23 seconds.

In terms of range, the YU7 Standard offers a CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle) range of 835 km, while the Pro variant achieves 770 km. The YU7 Max, with its larger battery, provides a CLTC range of 760 km. These figures compare favorably to the Tesla Model Y, whose variants offer CLTC ranges of 593 kilometers and 719 kilometers, respectively.

Design and Dimensions

The Xiaomi YU7 is a mid-to-large-size SUV with dimensions of 4,999 mm in length, 1,996 mm in width, and 1,600 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm. This makes it larger than the Tesla Model Y, which measures 4,797 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,624 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,890 mm. The YU7 features a fastback silhouette with an aerodynamic design, including active grille shutters and hidden electric door handles, resulting in a low drag coefficient of 0.245.

Battery and Charging

The YU7 Standard and Pro versions are equipped with a 96.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, while the YU7 Max variant utilizes a 101.7 kWh ternary lithium battery pack. Xiaomi claims a 5.2C peak charging capacity, allowing the YU7 to charge from 10 to 80% state-of-charge in 21 minutes for the LFP variants and just 12 minutes for the Max variant when using high-capacity chargers. The YU7 supports 5.2C ultra-fast charging, adding up to 620 km of range in 15 minutes. All trims of the YU7 ride on Xiaomi's 800V silicon carbide high-voltage architecture.

Interior and Technology

The YU7's interior boasts Nappa leather seats, 123° reclining zero-gravity front seats with massage, a 135° electrically adjustable rear seat, and a large 1.1-meter-wide "HyperVision" panoramic screen that combines three Mini LED displays. Rear passengers have access to a 6.68-inch control touchscreen, and the vehicle features intelligent voice control with Xiaomi's AI assistant. The YU7 also integrates with the Apple ecosystem, offering CarPlay, Apple Music, and Apple Watch vehicle control.

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

All YU7 models come standard with LiDAR, Nvidia's Thor chip (700 TOPS), and Xiaomi's in-house assisted driving system. The ADAS hardware suite includes a roof-mounted LiDAR with a 200-meter range, a 4D mmWave radar, 11 cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors.

Market Impact and Production

The YU7 has garnered significant attention, with Xiaomi receiving 289,000 orders within the first hour of its launch. The company plans to commence production at its second-phase factory in July, aiming for an annual capacity of 150,000 units. However, due to high demand and production constraints, some customers may experience extended delivery timelines. Xiaomi has raised its 2025 delivery target from 300,000 to 350,000 electric cars (for both SU7 and YU7 combined).

The YU7's competitive pricing, impressive range, advanced technology, and strong initial demand position it as a formidable contender in the electric SUV market, potentially challenging Tesla's dominance and accelerating Xiaomi's growth in the EV sector.