Xiaomi is not just sticking to phones and smart home gadgets anymore. After shaking things up with its first electric sedan, the SU7, the tech giant now jumps into the SUV space with the newly launched YU7, and it’s not just a lifted version of the SU7. The YU7 is a brand-new creation from the ground up, designed to mix performance, comfort, and next-level tech all in one very sleek, very green (literally and figuratively) package.

Let’s start with the name: YU7. The “YU” comes from the Chinese phrase that means “riding the wind.” It’s a fitting name for a car that wants to be fast, smooth and futuristic. Xiaomi made sure it looks the part, too. With its long, low stance and sharp angles, the YU7 brings in just the right mix of elegance and aggression.

Unlike some electric cars that look a bit too much like spaceships, the YU7 manages to stand out without trying too hard. It carries over some design elements from the SU7, like the flowing lines and sculpted body, but it adds its own flavor, more muscular, more assertive. Xiaomi even gave the headlights a makeover: the “waterdrop” look from the SU7 gets an open, hollowed-out twist that doubles as an air vent for improved aerodynamics.

Speaking of airflow, Xiaomi put a lot of thought into how the YU7 moves through the air. It’s got over 40 different zones designed to tweak wind resistance, which adds up to a drag coefficient of just 0.245, a solid figure for something this size. That translates to more range on a single charge, which is something EV owners always want.

The SUV’s size is nothing to sneeze at, either. It’s a mid-to-large SUV, almost five meters long, with a roomy 3-meter wheelbase. There’s enough space inside for real comfort, and Xiaomi didn’t skimp on the materials. We’re talking Nappa leather seats with a rock-grain texture, zero-gravity seat design up front, massage functions, and power reclining seats at the back. Even the leather and padding used meet safety standards high enough for babies and allergy-sensitive folks, which means it’s probably overkill for the rest of us, but we’ll take it.

The cabin is anchored by what Xiaomi calls the HyperVision Panoramic Display, basically a massive, ultra-wide heads-up display that projects information across the lower part of the windshield. It’s designed to look like something from a cockpit, with everything from navigation to real-time powertrain visuals laid out in crisp clarity. There’s also a central touchscreen, displays for rear passengers, and a control panel that lets passengers adjust settings on the fly. Whether you’re in the driver’s seat or chilling in the back, the tech experience is polished and immersive.

Powering this machine is Xiaomi’s own electric drive system. In its top-spec Max version, the YU7 produces 690 horsepower and can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.23 seconds. The top speed? 253 km/h. That’s serious sports car territory, except you’re riding in something that can also haul your family, luggage, and probably your dog’s crate without breaking a sweat.

Range is another win here. The base Standard version of the YU7 boasts an 835 km range on a full charge — impressive, considering it uses a 96.3 kWh battery. Even the more powerful dual-motor Pro and Max variants still deliver 760 to 770 km of range. And if you need a quick top-up, Xiaomi’s fast charging can get you from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 12 minutes, or give you 620 km of range in 15 minutes.

Now, with all that speed and power, safety becomes non-negotiable. Xiaomi built the YU7 on what they call an “armor-cage” body, a steel and aluminum combo that’s been beefed up with new materials co-developed with research institutions. One standout is the use of 2200 MPa ultra-high strength steel, currently the strongest hot-formed steel in the industry. This isn’t marketing fluff; it’s the kind of material that improves crash resistance and overall rigidity. The SUV also comes with reinforced door beams and a structure designed to protect passengers in the event of side impacts or rollovers.

Of course, no modern EV is complete without driver-assistance tech, and the YU7 brings it in full. Every unit comes with LiDAR, 4D millimeter-wave radar, and a full suite of sensors and cameras. The NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor chip, built on a 4nm process with 700 TOPS of computing power, runs the whole system. It’s not full autonomous driving yet, but it’s a seriously capable platform for assisted driving in all kinds of conditions, even in low visibility or bad weather.

Three launch colors — Emerald Green, Titanium Silver and Lava Orange — give you a few personality options, with the green standing out most. It’s rich, glossy, and clearly inspired by high-end sports cars. The paint itself is a three-layer setup that plays with light depending on the angle, giving the YU7 that shimmer you don’t normally see outside of exotic brands.

In short, the Xiaomi YU7 isn’t just another electric SUV trying to ride the EV wave. It’s Xiaomi’s bold take on what a tech-focused car brand can do, blending speed, safety, comfort, and serious gadgetry into one futuristic ride that doesn’t forget the basics.