Xiaomi’s new YU7 spells trouble for Tesla in China

The electronics giant says the YU7 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 extensively thought of to be China’s model of the Apple automotive that in the end failed to materialize, might be accessible for reservations beginning in July.

The YU7 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 bought over 200,000 SU7s as of April 2025, surpassing international EV gross sales for Ford and GM each.

However extra importantly, the YU7 is being positioned as a direct competitor to the Tesla Mannequin Y, which is Elon Musk’s firm’s international 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 dimension comparability between the 2 EVs. Sure, a literal EV-measuring contest.

The YU7 has much more going for it, together with its smooth, sports activities automotive seems. The automobile is akin to the Mannequin Y in dimension 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 may be a category chief.

On its web site, Xiaomi described the Normal, single-motor YU7 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 actually 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 p.c in 12 minutes, in addition to add 620 km (385 miles) of cost in simply quarter-hour.

In fact, whether or not the YU7 will actually oust the Mannequin Y from its perch will depend upon its worth — and we’re not getting that element till nearer to July 2025.

Correction, Might twenty third: This text initially referred to the YU7 because the PU7 in error. It has been amended all through.