Xiaomi’s new PU7 spells trouble for Tesla in China

The electronics giant says the PU7 will rise up to 518 miles of vary on sure trims and speed up from 0–62mph in simply 3.23 seconds. The brand new EV, which is broadly thought-about to be China’s model of the Apple automotive that finally failed to materialize, might be out there for reservations beginning in July.

The PU7 comes on the heels of the SU7, which has been an enormous success for Xiaomi since deliveries started in March 2024. The corporate mentioned it has offered over 200,000 SU7s as of April 2025, surpassing world EV gross sales for Ford and GM each.

However extra importantly, the PU7 is being positioned as a direct competitor to the Tesla Mannequin Y, which is Elon Musk’s firm’s world bestseller. Xiaomi has been very clear about its intent to dethrone the Mannequin Y in China. In response to Tesla’s refreshed Mannequin Y, Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun responded by posting a measurement comparability between the 2 EVs. Sure, a literal EV-measuring contest.

The PU7 has much more going for it, together with its glossy, sports activities automotive appears to be like. The automobile is similar to the Mannequin Y in measurement and acceleration, however demolishes Musk’s SUV when it comes to vary. In his presentation, Lei Jun mentioned that vary is the primary consideration for EV patrons, which led Xiaomi to develop an SUV that will be a category chief.

On its web site, Xiaomi described the Customary, single-motor PU7 as “the longest-range pure electrical SUV with a sub-100 kWh battery and the highest performer within the mid-to-large-size pure electrical SUV class, attaining really breakthrough vary management.”

Different notable options embody a Nvidia Drive AGX Thor in-vehicle computing platform, lively air suspension, and an 800-volt structure — with a peak voltage of 897V — that may fast-charge from 10–80 % in 12 minutes, in addition to add 620 km (385 miles) of cost in simply quarter-hour.

In fact, whether or not the PU7 will really oust the Mannequin Y from its perch will rely upon its worth — and we’re not getting that element till nearer to July 2025.