- The electric SUV is 8 inches longer than the Tesla Model Y but promises up to 472 miles of range.
- Xiaomi has yet to confirm battery pack sizes for its first all-electric SUV.
- Both dual-motor all-wheel drive and a single-motor rear-wheel drive SU7 will be available.
Eight weeks ago, Xiaomi dropped the covers on its long-awaited electric SUV, known as the YU7. While it arguably should have named it the SU7, rather than using that badge for its electric sedan, its second EV has the potential to be the brand’s most popular model. And based on recent Chinese government filings revealing additional details about it, it’s well-placed to give the Tesla Model Y a serious run for its money.
Data from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reveals that all-wheel drive versions of the YU7 have quoted CLTC range figures of 416 miles (670 km), 466 miles (750 km), and 472 miles (760 km). While the Chinese testing cycle is known to be wildly optimistic, these figures compare well against the recently updated Tesla Model Y.
Read: Xiaomi YU7 SUV Looks Like A Ferrari Purosangue And McLaren Rolled Into One
The new Model Y, complete with a Cybercab-inspired design, launched in China a few weeks ago and has already proven to be hugely popular. It’s offered in rear-wheel drive and Long-Range All-Wheel Drive configurations. The base RWD model has a quoted range of 368 miles (593 km), while the AWD has a CLTC estimated range of 447 miles (719 km). Xiaomi has yet to disclose a range figure for the YU7 RWD, but the flagship AWD variants edge out a comparable Model Y. Curiously, Xiaomi is yet to announce the capacities of the YU7’s available battery packs, although such details should be confirmed in due course.
That’s impressive when you consider the YU7 is quite a bit larger than the Tesla. You see, whereas the new Model Y is 188.8 inches (4,797 mm) long, the YU7 is 196.8 inches (4,999 mm) long. It also has a 118-inch (3,000 mm) wheelbase compared to the (113.7-inch) 2,890 mm wheelbase of the Tesla. That should give it more second-row space than the Model Y.
Final prices for the Xiaomi YU7 are unknown at this point, but local media suggest it should start at around ¥250,000 (~$34,700). If true, that would allow it to undercut the Model Y RWD which starts at ¥263,500 (~$36,600). Obviously, higher-end versions of the YU7 will be a little pricier, but should be close to the ¥303,500 (~$42,200) starting price of the Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive.
Unfortunately for those not living in China, Xiaomi doesn’t sell its cars outside its home market and likely won’t for quite some time. In mid-December, a report emerged suggesting that Xiaomi could expand to international markets in the future, but will first do so by selling limited models to test responses from different countries.
