Xiaomi SU7

The SU7 is Xiaomi's proof of concept that a smartphone company can build a credible car. Styled as a sleek four-door sedan with a low, coupe-like roofline, it was positioned squarely against premium EV sedans such as the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan, but at a noticeably lower starting price. Reported range figures for the base and extended-range versions put it in the same conversation as other long-range EVs on the market, with dual-motor all-wheel-drive options available for buyers who want more performance.

What set the SU7 apart at launch wasn't just the hardware, it was the software. Xiaomi built the car around its own operating system, letting it sync closely with Xiaomi phones, tablets, and smart home devices in ways that legacy automakers have struggled to match. Owners can reportedly control home devices from the car, pick up navigation and media seamlessly from their phone, and get the kind of ecosystem continuity Xiaomi has spent years refining across its other product lines.

The SU7's launch reportedly drew tens of thousands of orders within its first 24 hours, an eye-catching number for any automaker's first vehicle, and it quickly became one of the most discussed new EVs in China. That demand also created lengthy waiting periods for some buyers as Xiaomi worked to scale up production. The SU7 set the template, and expectations, for everything Xiaomi has launched since.