As Xiaomi continues its aggressive expansion in the electric vehicle market, the company is preparing to launch its first extended-range (EREV) SUV — internally codenamed “Kunlun N3” and expected to be officially named Xiaomi YU9 (or similar). This large 6/7-seater flagship is positioned to directly challenge the dominant players in China’s premium family SUV segment, including the AITO Wenjie M9 (Huawei-Ask界) and Li Auto L9.
According to the latest leaks and industry sources as of December 2025, here’s everything we currently know about the highly anticipated Xiaomi YU9.
Launch Timeline & Positioning
- Expected launch: Q2 2026 (most likely April–June 2026)
- Positioning: Large flagship extended-range hybrid SUV, 6-seat or 7-seat configurations
- Target market: Family users who prioritize ultra-long range, comfort, and long-distance travel without range anxiety
- Strategic role: The YU9 will be Xiaomi Auto’s first major step into the extended-range hybrid segment, complementing the pure-electric lineup (SU7 series, YU7 GT, etc.) and forming a three-model offensive in 2026.
Dimensions & Design
- Length: Expected to exceed 5.2 meters (some sources claim ~5.3m)
- Wheelbase: Over 3.1 meters — placing it firmly in the full-size/large SUV category
- Notable design features:
- Recent test vehicles spotted with heavy roof camouflage — believed to conceal an expandable platform module (possibly for future roof-mounted accessories, lidar housing, or panoramic sunroof variants)
- Family-oriented luxury aesthetic, expected to borrow design language from the SU7 but with a taller, more commanding stance
Powertrain: Extended-Range Hybrid (EREV)
Xiaomi is adopting the increasingly popular extended-range architecture to eliminate range anxiety for long-distance family trips.
- Power system: 1.5T range extender + front + rear dual electric motors
- Battery capacity: Estimated 60–80 kWh
- Range targets (CLTC standard):
- Pure electric range: 350–500 km
- Comprehensive range (gas + electric): 1500–1600+ km
- Key advantage: Combines the smooth, quiet driving experience of an EV with the peace of mind of a gasoline backup — ideal for users who frequently travel long distances.
Intelligent Driving & Chassis
- Autonomous driving: Expected to feature Xiaomi PILOT 4.0 system
- Likely equipped with lidar + high-end NVIDIA Thor-U (Orin successor) computing platform
- Chassis: Dual-chamber air suspension for superior comfort on highways and rough roads
- Ecosystem integration: Deep connection with Xiaomi HyperOS, allowing seamless control of smart home devices, in-car entertainment, and cross-device continuity
Pricing & Market Strategy
- Expected price range: 450,000–550,000 CNY (~$62,000–$76,000 USD)
- Positioning advantage: Xiaomi aims to offer significantly better value compared to the Wenjie M9 and Li Auto L9, both of which sit in the 500,000+ CNY bracket for top trims.
- Aggressive pricing is expected to be a key weapon in capturing market share in the ultra-competitive large family SUV segment.
Latest Development Highlights
- High-altitude endurance testing: In late 2025, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun personally led a team to conduct extreme cold-weather and high-altitude range tests in the Pamir Plateau region of Xinjiang — a strong sign of Xiaomi’s commitment to real-world reliability.
- Intensive road testing: Multiple heavily camouflaged prototypes were spotted throughout October–December 2025, indicating the project is in advanced validation stages with relatively high maturity.
Strategic Importance for Xiaomi Auto
The YU9 represents a pivotal moment for Xiaomi’s automotive ambitions. After launching the pure-electric SU7 sedan and preparing the high-performance YU7 GT SUV, the extended-range YU9 will complete a three-pronged 2026 lineup:
- SU7 L — Executive luxury pure-electric sedan
- YU7 GT — High-performance pure-electric SUV
- YU9 — Ultra-long-range family flagship SUV (EREV)
This dual-track strategy (pure EV + extended-range) allows Xiaomi to address a broader range of customer needs and compete more effectively against both pure-EV and hybrid rivals.
Official details, exact naming, final specs, and pricing will be revealed closer to the launch in Q2 2026. Until then, the YU9 remains one of the most anticipated SUVs in China’s EV market.
What do you think — will the 1500+ km range and aggressive pricing make the Xiaomi YU9 a serious threat to the Wenjie M9 and Li Auto L9? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 🚙⚡
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