Xiaomi SU7 Max Falls Short as Real-World Range Takes a Hit

Xiaomi launched its electric flagship, the SU7 Max, with grand promises and bold figures—but now it’s facing a harsh dose of reality. According to an independent test, the car's much-hyped 750-kilometer range is closer to fantasy than fact. In actual driving conditions, the vehicle managed just 492 kilometers on a full charge—barely two-thirds of what the brochure claims.

The test conditions were far from extreme. Conducted on a racetrack at a steady 100 km/h, the drive included two passengers, climate control set to a comfortable 23–24°C, and an outside temperature around 30°C. The car was set to Comfort mode, riding on 21-inch tires at 2.9 bar. In other words, exactly the kind of scenario where everyday drivers expect the numbers to hold.

But reality hit harder than expected. At 483 kilometers, the display flashed a proud zero, and the SU7 eked out just 9 more kilometers before calling it quits. Total range: 492 kilometers, or a mere 65.5 percent of the manufacturer’s lofty claim. While it’s no secret that China's CLTC cycle is more generous than Europe’s WLTP, this gap is embarrassingly wide even by that standard.

The sting gets sharper with energy consumption. The car averaged 20.2 kWh per 100 kilometers—on the high side compared to modern EVs under similar conditions, where consumption typically hovers just below 20 kWh. It's not a disaster, but it certainly doesn’t scream efficiency. A full charge from zero to 100 percent takes 37 minutes, while fast charging from five to seventy percent wraps up in 14 minutes—a small consolation.

Xiaomi, unsurprisingly, is scrambling to spin the numbers, hinting at climate variables or quirks in testing procedures. But the facts are clear: the SU7 Max promised electric excellence and delivered a slightly posh flavor of mediocrity. For EV shoppers seeking dependable performance, it might be wise to wait a few more years—or at the very least, take every brochure stat with a healthy dose of skepticism.