Xiaomi SU7 Max First Impressions: European Vibes At South Korean Price

Imagine a car that has 674 bhp of power, more than 800 km of range, and a German sports car motif that will make the heart of the die-hard motor-head sing. You're probably talking about something that costs upwards of a crore? In China, Xiaomi's SU7 Max costs about Rs 35 lakhs, and it offers all these bells and whistles and then some more.

It looks like a Porsche did a tango with a McLaren, with sloped coupe arch-lines that will take you down 911 memory lane and bug-eyed lights that scream McLaren. Say whatever, but the execution is peerless. What's striking is the build quality of the car, which is in a galaxy of its own considering the price.

I had the opportunity to have some one-on-one time with the vehicle. In person, it looks even more aerodynamic than what you'd imagine it to be. It gets bells and whistles that you'd imagine from the likes of a McLaren or Porsche, but in a 4-door sedan form.

So there are air curtains for smooth airflow, which enable its sublime 0.195 drag coefficient, one of the reasons why Xiaomi is able to claim a massive 800 km of range. While doing so, this is a rapid car with 674 bhp, which will make it faster than a top-of-the-line 911 and in line with something like McLaren 765LT.

But those cars aren't meant for families and come with very few creature comforts. This is a different beast -- for instance, you get 11 cameras which are discreetly placed across the vehicle, working in tandem with a suite of radars and a LiDAR on the front housed within a shark fin on the top. This system enables Level 2 ADAS, and I'd bet top dollar on it that it will work in a more secure way than something like even a Kia EV6.

Inside, the level of fit and finish is in the realm of what one would pay for a German sports car -- really plush materials are used, with cushy seats that are equally sporty. The plastics that are used are of the highest quality, while there is plentiful use of sustainable materials.

The fundamentals of this as a vehicle are also very sound -- the steering wheel is a no-nonsense setup -- feels nice to hold and has a few buttons for tactility. Of course, I didn't drive the vehicle, so I don't know how well it responds to inputs.

There is a 517-liter boot on the back, while there is even a 105-liter frunk, which gives the consumer ample space. The rear seats are also very comfortable, though a wee bit low slung, making it apt for 3 people.

As far as in-car tech goes, there is a lot going on. There is a 16.1-inch screen which has a 3K resolution and responds to touch input fluidly. It surely reminds one of using a high-end iPad Pro in terms of responsiveness. But that shouldn't be surprising as it is based on Xiaomi's new HyperOS, which enables it to plug in with other Xiaomi appliances in a jiffy. It is also based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Cockpit that ensures it has ample horsepower.

This infotainment system can be augmented further -- two more big screens can be added, and some of the touch controls can be covered with buttons that Xiaomi can fit, giving that analog tactility to the car.

There is a 23-speaker sound system that supports Dolby Atmos audio. I heard HanumanKind's latest song "Big Dawgs," which has become a smash sensation around the world -- and it sounded big and majestic. There is even a button in the car which can disable all the cameras in case you feel privacy is an issue or you're entering an area where turning on cameras isn't allowed.

For added practicality, there is a refrigerator on the back seat below the AC vents, which can cool as low as 5 degrees and keep stuff warm at up to 50 degrees. The moon roof adds to the spatial vibrance of the car and keeps you cocooned away from the greenhouse effect if you're in a city like Delhi.

The car supports vehicle-to-load technology so you can lug it around like a massive inverter. It gets unlocked with a card or the Xiaomi app apart from the key fob.

Now there are no plans of launching this car in India -- and Xiaomi can barely keep up with demand as it planned on making 80,000 of these but the response has been so good that it may end up making 120,000 of these in 2024 alone. Even if you were to import this car assuming the Rs 35 Lakh price - at even 2x considering a 100 percent import duty and then some more -- it packs a blend of technology, luxury, practicality, and speed unlike any other car I have seen at Rs 70 Lakhs blowing away the likes of the Kia EV6, and any electric German competition that may prop up from Bavaria or Stuttgart.

Sahil Mohan Gupta

BW Reporters Sahil is an experienced tech and auto journalist with more than 15 years in the field. He has played a pivotal role in launching major tech platforms in India across TV, print, and web. As the Tech and Auto Editor at BW Businessworld, he covers consumer technology and automotive sectors through reviews, reports, interviews, and analyses. Readers can anticipate insightful, witty, and deeply analytical content with a focus on the end user. In his leisure time, he enjoys music, particularly stone cold blues and progressive rock from the 60s.