November 6, 2024 at 11:20 AM A Xiaomi SU7 (Top) and a Tesla Model 3. Xiaomi/Tesla Chinese EVs have grown in numbers and capabilities over the past few years. Xiaomi made headlines as Ford CEO Bill Farley praised its SU7 model. The SU7 is cheaper than the Tesla Model 3 From BYD to Xpeng to Xiaomi, the number and variety of Chinese EVs hitting the market has exploded in recent years, forcing a reckoning among Western automakers. One in model particular, the Xioami SU7, has received significant attention in the US after Ford CEO Jim Farley revealed on a recent podcast that he'd been driving one for the past six months and didn't want to give it up. How does it compare to competitors? The SU7, which translates to "Speed Seven" in Chinese, most closely matches the specs of Tesla's Model 3. Here's how the two models stack up: The Xiaomi SU7 is cheaper. Xiaomi's SU7 sold out on the first day of its launch, but the smartphone maker's early losses show it will take time for the new EV player to turn a profit. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images The SU7, Xioami's first car and sold only in China, comes in three versions starting at 215,900 yuan, or about $30,400. Even the most expensive version, the high-performance SU7 Max, won't break the bank with a starting price of 299,900 yuan, or about $42,200. By comparison, the base Tesla Model 3 starts at 231,900 yuan or about $32,600 in China (much cheaper than in the US), while the range-topping all-wheel-drive variant starts at 335,900 yuan or $47,300. The Tesla and Xiaomi have similar looks. The Xiaomi SU7 (Top) and Tesla Model 3. Xiaomi/Tesla The Model 3 is undeniably a Tesla. The compact sedan's overall shape bears a strong resemblance to its big brother, the now-iconic Model S sedan. The SU7's styling is fairly derivative but attractive, drawing elements of its front end from the McLaren 750S supercar and its overall shape from Porsche's Panamera sedan. Despite its more upright appearance, the Model 3 is actually the same height as the SU7, although the Tesla is a full 10 inches shorter nose-to-tail. How kind of tech do they have? The interior of a Xiaomi SU7 (Top) and a Tesla Model 3. CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images/Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images/Tesla The SU7's cabin is high-tech and thoroughly modern. Though Xiaomi is best known outside China for its smartphones, the consumer-electronics conglomerate makes everything from TVs and smart speakers to connected housewares like lights and air conditioners. As part of the Xiaomi ecosystem, the SU7 is integrated with the company's other products, allowing for remote voice control of household appliances from the vehicle. In front of the driver is a small 7.1-inch rotating digital instrument cluster and a gigantic 56-inch head-up display projected onto the SU7's windshield. Atop its center stack is a massive 16.1-inch infotainment screen with smartphone mirroring. The SU7's rear cabin is equipped with seatback mounting points for tablets that can be connected to the car's infotainment system. The SU7 also offers Xiaomi Pilot, software that the company says allows for assisted self-driving and self-parking. The Model 3's cabin is a demonstration of high-tech minimalism. The entire in-car experience is focused on the Tesla's 15.4-inch central touchscreen, which serves as both the instrument display and its infotainment screen. Rear-seat passengers can have access to their own eight-inch touchscreen with entertainment options and climate controls. The Model 3 also comes with handy features like Sentry Mode, which monitors the vehicle's surroundings, and Dog Mode, which keeps your pets safe while you're away from the car. As with all Teslas, the Model 3 comes with the company's signature Autopilot semi-autonomous driving tech. The Xiaomi has a longer range and faster acceleration A Xiaomi SU7 (Top) and a Tesla Model 3. Xiaomi/Tesla