Inside China Auto first-look at the updated SU7
Inside China Auto's first look at the updated Xiaomi SU7 frames the original 2024 launch as a low-key category-killer — over 250,000 units sold, "maybe 300,000" in two years — and treats this update less as a styling refresh and more as a platform tune-up. The host argues the meaningful change is what Xiaomi is preparing the car for: international markets starting in 2027.
Watch original ↗- →Frames the original SU7 (launched roughly two years ago) as having sold over 250K — "maybe 300K" — units, with the styling basically unchanged for the update.
- →Highlights the meaningful changes as battery, charging, and ADAS hardware refresh, rather than cosmetic ones.
- →Notes Xiaomi is getting the platform ready for international markets when the company starts entering other countries in 2027.
- →Concludes it is a "fantastically polished product now" and expects strong international interest once Xiaomi confirms export pricing.
The opening frames the original SU7 as the car that launched the most exciting wave of Chinese-EV interest in years. Recap of the sales trajectory: a phone company sold over 250K — "maybe 300K" — units of its first-ever vehicle in two years. That number is the context for everything else in the video.
What's changed visually: almost nothing. The host walks through small headlight tweaks, refreshed wheel options, badge changes, and that's about it. He acknowledges that on the outside this looks like the original SU7 to anyone except an enthusiast.
Where the meaningful work has gone: under the skin. Battery cell update, charging architecture refresh, new ADAS hardware (broader LiDAR coverage, updated compute platform). This is where Xiaomi is spending the development budget on this iteration.
The export-readiness theme. ICA argues the update is Xiaomi pre-engineering for European homologation requirements before the 2027 international launch — battery chemistry, charging-port flexibility, ADAS hardware that can be downscaled to match non-Chinese regulations.
The competitive context for why this matters now: BYD Han, Zeekr 007, Avatr 12, Nio ET5 are all competing in the same Chinese segment. Even at 250K+ sales, Xiaomi cannot sit on the original spec — domestic competition forces hardware iteration.
Verdict at 26:55: "fantastically polished product now." ICA's expectation is strong international interest the moment Xiaomi confirms export pricing. The car wasn't ready for export at launch; in his framing, it is now.
“The car that launched the most exciting wave of Chinese-EV interest in years.”
“I'm Inside China Auto and this is the new Xiaomi SU7.”
“On the outside, almost nothing has changed.”
“It's a fantastically polished product now.”
ICA's claims about cumulative sales (250K-300K), battery / charging architecture changes, and ADAS hardware refresh feed directly into our /specs page numbers and the confidence labels on /sources. The 2027 international launch timeline is on /availability; the hardware-update angle ties to /lidar and /charging.
Different reviewers reach different conclusions on the same car. Here are the seven other videos we've watched and summarised — including at least one critical view if you want to balance the picture.
Carwow (Mat Watson)
Mat Watson reviews the SU7 Ultra: "My favourite car from China so far"
MKBHD (Marques Brownlee)
MKBHD: "Are we cooked? Not yet"
Doug DeMuro
Doug DeMuro: "A bargain Chinese luxury sport sedan" — Doug Score 69/100
Everything Electric (Elliot Richards)
Everything Electric (Elliot Richards): "Puts a fizz in your pants"
Out of Spec Reviews
Out of Spec: "Best driving Chinese car I've ever been in"
Business Insider
Business Insider: Xiaomi's affordable $29,000 Chinese EV
The Electric Viking