A CLOSER LOOK AT XIAOMI'S FIRST ELECTRIC SU7 SEDAN
The Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan marks a bold leap from consumer electronics into the automotive world. Announced in late 2023 and delivered from March 2024, the SU7 is Xiaomi's first production car, co-developed with Beijing Automotive Industry Holding (BAIC) and built at the Beijing-Benz joint-venture factory. With a fastback silhouette, a drag coefficient of just 0.195 Cd and a starting price around 215,900 yuan (approximately $30,000 USD), it positions itself as a direct rival to the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan at a fraction of the cost.
Design and Dimensions
The SU7 is a full-size four-door fastback measuring 4,997 mm in length, 1,963 mm in width and 1,455 mm in height, on a 3,000 mm wheelbase. Wheel options are 19-inch (245/45 R19) and 20-inch (245/40 R20), and select trims feature an active deployable rear wing that adjusts aerodynamic downforce at speed. The cabin is centred around a large touchscreen running Xiaomi's HyperOS, which integrates seamlessly with the brand's smartphone ecosystem and handles ETC toll payments automatically.
What Powertrains Does the Xiaomi SU7 Offer?
Xiaomi offers two drivetrain configurations. The rear-wheel-drive standard model uses a 220 kW (295 hp) motor and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. The all-wheel-drive SU7 Max pairs two motors for a combined 495 kW (664 hp), cutting the 0-100 km/h run to just 2.8 seconds. Energy storage is handled by either an LFP (lithium iron phosphate) pack supplied by BYD for the standard trim, or a higher-density ternary NMC pack from CATL for the Max. CLTC-rated range varies from 630 km on the standard to 830 km on the Max, with DC fast-charging peaking at up to 480 kW in China.
HyperOS: Xiaomi's Tech Advantage
The SU7's biggest differentiator is software. HyperOS integrates the car with Xiaomi's wider device ecosystem, enabling over-the-air updates, face-recognition unlocking and seamless phone mirroring. Reviewers consistently praise the infotainment speed, high-resolution cameras and smartphone-like responsiveness. The system also supports an ETC module that automates toll payments, a convenience that drivers accustomed to Xiaomi phones will recognise instantly. Under C-NCAP 2024 standards, the SU7 achieved the highest overall safety score of any vehicle tested that year.
Investment and Production Scale
Xiaomi committed 10 billion yuan (around $1.4 billion USD) to its automotive venture, initiated in March 2021. Mass production began in late 2023 and the first deliveries took place in February 2024. The shared BAIC assembly facility, which also produces Mercedes-Benz vehicles under the Beijing-Benz joint venture, gives the SU7 access to mature manufacturing processes from day one. Xiaomi's entry into EVs underscores a broader shift in Chinese tech companies treating the electric car as the next computing platform.
How Does the SU7 Compare to the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan?
The SU7 competes on specification with the Xiaomi official product page listing performance figures comparable to the Taycan Turbo at roughly a third of the price. Its 0.195 Cd drag figure is among the lowest of any production sedan, and its charging speed rivals dedicated performance EVs. The Electrek first drive of the next-gen SU7 confirmed that Xiaomi's rapid development cadence means each generation noticeably outperforms the last. For Western EV fans, the SU7 signals how quickly Chinese electric vehicles are closing the gap with established premium marques.
Discover more boundary-pushing electric vehicles in the TheArsenale Electric collection, or browse the full Cars collection for hypercars, concepts and custom builds. If you are drawn to high-performance electric machines, also explore the Apex AP-1 Electric Sports Car, the RAESR Tachyon Speed Electric Hypercar and the Duo by TheArsenale Electric Microcar.
Photo: Xiaomi
