Tech reviewer Marques Brownlee takes the wheel of Xiaomi's SU7 Max, a $42,000 electric sedan that punches way above its price with Tesla Model 3 Performance-level specs: 673 horsepower, dual-motor AWD, a 101 kWh battery, and 320 miles of range. Fresh from the smartphone maker famous for gadgets like phones and robot vacuums, this four-door stunner borrows cues from Porsche, McLaren, and Lotus, blending sleek purple curves with an active rear wing for a premium vibe right out of the gate.
Interior and Tech That Feels $75K
Step inside, and the cabin screams luxury with Alcantara headliners, heated/ventilated leather seats, a Porsche-like steering wheel, massive HUD, 16-inch central display, and 25-speaker audio that pulses to your music's beat. Rear passengers get Xiaomi tablet screens, while clever touches like battery-powered flashlights and physical buttons for climate and suspension height add polish. The software shines brightest—ultra-smooth like a smartphone, syncing texts, maps, and even Xiaomi smart home gear, with genius nav audio routing to headrest speakers so music never skips a beat. Wireless CarPlay is the crispest yet, and full self-driving (LiDAR-equipped) handles U.S. roads surprisingly well, hinting at China dominance.
Modular Magic and Driving Dualities
Xiaomi's non-carmaker edge shines in modular accessories: snap-on speedometers, USB hubs, karaoke mics, or walkie-talkies via hidden mounts, letting you customize from minimalist to maxed-out. Behind the wheel, comfort mode delivers Lucid-soft air suspension and serene quietude with active noise cancelation. Flip to Sport Plus for twitchy throttle, heavier steering, 0-60 in under 3 seconds via launch control, and active bolsters that hug you through corners—handling rivals Model 3 or BMW i4, with wolf-like power in sheep's clothing.
Are We Cooked? Not Yet, But Watch Out
Brownlee finds zero real flaws after weeks of testing: elite build, versatility, and value that'd crush U.S. markets at this price if tariffs and politics allowed. No bleeding-edge secrets, just great assembly of great parts. Europe eyes a 2027 launch, promising fiercer EV rivalry worldwide.
