Xiaomi SU7: A Taycan Knock-Off, or a Tesla Rivalling Budget Disruptor?

Let's face it, the moment you see the Xiaomi SU7, the first thing that pops into your head is wait is that a "Porsche Taycan, oh never mind" The sleek sedan profile, those sweeping lines, it's hard to deny the resemblance. Cue the internet cries of "rip-off!" But before we get our pitchforks, let's dig a little deeper.

Xiaomi, an electronics titan making its debut in the car world, definitely deserves some credit. Most know Xiaomi as that Chinese brand that makes budget smartphones, but at least in China and other parts of Asia, it makes some pretty good quality appliances everything from smart home tech to televisions and vacuum cleaners, the whole lot. The SU7 is the brand's first stab at the automotive space, while clearly drawing inspiration from Stuttgart, it is a bold first attempt for a fairly infantile brand. It delivers impressive specs and some genuinely innovative tech – all at a price point that severely undercuts the Taycan.

Here's a brief of what the Xiaomi SU7 is all about:

• Xiaomi SU7: Budget-friendly EV inspired by the Porsche Taycan
• Impressive specs challenge Tesla Model 3 on performance
• Xiaomi's tech expertise shines: massive HUD, seamless connectivity
• Addresses customer demand: Offers a mix of buttons and touch controls
• SU7 Max boasts lightning-fast claimed charging speeds
• Real-world performance and build quality remain to be tested

The SU7's Price Point is the Pivot

Let's talk dollars (or should I say, Yuan?). While the base Taycan starts at over $86,000, the Xiaomi SU7 is expected to start at around $60,000 which is quite the price cut. That's a massive difference, and it changes the conversation entirely. Sure, you're sacrificing some of that Porsche prestige and refinement, but you're potentially getting a lot of performance bang for your buck.

Xiaomi SU7's Tech Twist Opens a Whole New Discourse

Xiaomi hasn't just copied homework here. Being the tech giant that they are, they've cooked up some features that even Porsche and Tesla have overlooked courtesy of their years of experience in the tech industry, a crossover that the EV industry was desperately after. Case in point: the massive 56-inch head-up display but there's more. Say goodbye to glancing down at a screen – your navigation and vital stats are overlaid directly onto your view of the road.

Then there's the way Xiaomi bridges the gap between its car and its established tech ecosystem. Facial recognition to start the car, and seamless connectivity with your other Xiaomi gadgets, are stuff car makers have tried before, but never before have they been integrated as well as they have managed with the SU7 and that's probably down to the brand having its smartphone division which is not something most legacy car makers can boast of. It's the kind of integration we usually expect from Apple, not a car company's first effort.

Speaking of tech frustrations, Tesla owners would kill for some physical buttons. And there's enough and more proof of this as the aftermarket is booming with add-on solutions in the form of tacky yet functional buttons, ports, and slots all designed to make your Tesla more functional, yet Tesla stubbornly keeps everything on a touchscreen but it's more to do with saving a pretty penny wherever possible. Xiaomi heard those complaints and smartly gave the SU7 a mix of touch controls and good old-fashioned buttons but the excision is simply a marvel. They offer users the clean, button-less aesthetic from the factory, but it’s the ability to opt for physical buttons as an accessory that makes it such a ground-breaking innovation. It hints that maybe, just maybe, they're thinking about the user experience from a fresh perspective.

Is the Xiaomi SU7 a Real Threat to the Likes of Tesla and Porsche?

Alright, let's cut to the chase: can the Xiaomi SU7 really keep up with the Taycan or Model S? The short answer is… kind of. The SU7 Max, the highest trim, boasts a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time of 2.78 seconds. That's pretty damn quick, rivaling even the pricier versions of the Taycan and Tesla's finest.

But straight-line speed is just one piece of the puzzle. The Taycan isn't famous for just being quick – it also handles like a proper sports car, a proper Porsche to price, that's where the money is. The Xiaomi, while likely competent, simply isn't playing in that league (no matter what the launch presentation might suggest). It's a performance car, yes, but don't expect it to carve corners with the poise of a seasoned Porsche or even match the raw power and poise of a Model S Plaid.

Then there's the range. Xiaomi claims its top-tier battery can power the SU7 for up to 800 km. That sounds amazing, but it's worth remembering this is based on the less-demanding Chinese testing cycle. Real-world numbers will likely be a bit lower, but still potentially competitive with the longest-range Teslas and that's more than acceptable by the existing EV landscape.

Where Xiaomi has the potential to shine is in charging speeds. The SU7 Max boasts the ability to soak up a 390km charge in just 10 minutes. If those claims hold, it'll blow past even Tesla's lauded Supercharger network, making long-distance EV travel that bit less tedious.

The Verdict (For Now)

The Xiaomi SU7 isn't a Porsche Taycan killer. Let's be realistic – it wasn't meant to be. However, it does look like a very tempting option for those who want some serious performance and styling that's "inspired" by German performance cars without the six-figure price tag. It even outpaces a top-spec Tesla Model 3s and entry-level Model-S and Taycans on raw acceleration for less money, which is nothing to scoff at.

The true test will be when these things hit the road and independent reviewers in the west can put them through their paces. Build quality, real-world performance, and the reliability of that tech continue to be unknowns right now. But here's what I think: Xiaomi's first swing in the EV game is more of a solid double than a home run. And frankly, that's way more than anyone was expecting.

Author Bio

Bhavik Sreenath is an automotive expert, writer, and founder of Motolog Studio. With a Master's in Automotive Journalism and experience in publications like Bodyshop Magazine, he delivers compelling stories about the cars we love. From designing magazine layouts to reporting on eco-conscious practices, he brings a multifaceted perspective to automotive writing. His experience in Automotive Journalism makes him a vocal voice for car enthusiasts and industry insiders. Follow Bhavik on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, to stay in touch and up-to-date with the latest EV and battery development news.