In brief:

Xiaomi to unveil two large SUVs
With room for five or seven passengers
First models with plug-in hybrid power

Center stage: Xiaomi will soon unveil a pair of large SUVs under the names N70 and N90, featuring plug-in hybrid power. The move targets a super-popular category in China where all major players are present. The company has not yet released full details, but registration documents from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) provide an initial glimpse.

The styling of both models differs markedly from the sporty line of the brand's electric vehicles. They adopt a boxier, more angular shape with a simulated grille that also highlights the sub-brand name SKYNOMAD. At the rear are vertical light units connected by twin bars reminiscent of Range Rover.

Electric and gasoline: The powertrain marks the brand's first use of plug-in hybrid technology. A rear electric motor produces 285 horsepower in the base N70, paired with a 52 kWh battery that theoretically delivers 270 km of electric range under the Chinese CLTC standard - about 200 km by Western measures.

An optional all-wheel-drive version for the N70 and standard on the N90 adds a front electric motor for a combined 421 horsepower and a 76 kWh battery, providing an official electric range of 370 to 380 km (roughly 250 km Western). Both models include a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 125 horsepower that serves to charge the battery.

Compared with a Mercedes GLE, the N70 is 3.5 cm longer at 496 cm with a similar wheelbase of 295 cm and seats five. The N90 is larger still, measuring 7.5 cm longer than a Mercedes GLS at 528.5 cm yet with a wheelbase 5.5 cm shorter at 308 cm. It accommodates seven passengers across three rows, with captain's chairs in the second row that include footrests. The front seats can rotate 180 degrees to turn the cabin into a meeting room.

What we think: Xiaomi is nothing short of remarkable. The company transformed in a short time from a maker of household electronics into a respected car manufacturer, unlike other tech giants such as Apple and Sony that failed outright. It achieved this with just two models and surpassed half a million cars produced by the end of 2025. Tesla needed about 12 years; Xiaomi took a little over two. This year it aims for annual production of half a million vehicles.

It will not stop there and therefore needs to broaden its model range, including entry into new and especially popular categories such as SUVs of various sizes with plug-in hybrid power, the most sought-after combination in the world's largest car market. The only remaining question is when we will see these models here. That will not happen tomorrow, but give it another year or two.