Xiaomi is preparing a big family SUV: a battery bigger than many EVs

Xiaomi looks set to launch its first full-size SUV. A spy photo of a test prototype with the internal codename Kunlun has surfaced online, and the model’s debut is expected in the second half of 2026.

Unlike the SU7 sedan and YU7 crossover, the new car won’t be a pure EV but a series hybrid with a range extender. This setup is aimed at a family audience: the car can run on electric power, while a petrol engine is used to top up the battery and removes the main fear of long-distance trips — dependence on charging infrastructure.

Judging by the spy shots, the SUV will get a battery of more than 70 kWh. For an extended-range model that’s a very large pack: the claimed electric range is expected at 400–500 km. For comparison, many ordinary entry- and mid-level EVs have a smaller battery, and here the electric reserve should cover almost all urban and suburban scenarios without firing up the generator.

Externally Kunlun moves noticeably away from the SU7’s streamlined styling. Judging by the prototype, the body will be more boxy and massive, with hard lines and a new front-end design. The headlights have been sharpened and a LiDAR bulge is visible on the roof — meaning Xiaomi is preparing a modern suite of driver assistance systems for the model.

Some signature details will still be retained. Earlier test cars showed the recognisable «teardrop» mirrors, and at the rear we should see vertical lights and a two-section tailgate of the «upper glass plus lower flap» format.

The main unknown is the price. If Xiaomi can keep Kunlun closer to the mass segment rather than pushing it into the expensive premium SUV territory, the model will be a much more family-oriented and practical product for the brand than the flashy SU7 Ultra. What to watch now is the launch date in the second half of the year and the actual range under the Chinese certification cycle.