Xiaomi YU7 Max real-world range test falls short of official numbers

The Xiaomi YU7 is getting a lot of attention for its technology and performance. Unfortunately, a recent independent highway range test of the top-tier YU7 Max model suggests that its real-world driving distance may not quite live up to the official numbers advertised. While still delivering a respectable performance, the results highlight a common theme in the world of EVs: the gap between lab-tested figures and everyday reality.

The test, conducted by the Chinese media outlet Sohu, took a brand-new Xiaomi YU7 Max for a lengthy drive focused exclusively on highway cruising. This specific model comes equipped with a large 101.7 kWh battery pack and dual motors for all-wheel drive.

Officially, Xiaomi and the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) rate this car for 466 miles of range. An important point to make here is the average speed in CLTC testing is 37.18 km/h, which means it will never be replicated in highway driving.

The test vehicle was fitted with 21-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Primacy 5 Energy tires, designed for efficiency. To simulate a typical road trip, two people occupied the car. They set the climate control to a comfortable 75°F and drove at 61.9 mph along an 52 miles highway loop. The ambient temperature was around 86°F, a favorable condition for an EV battery. Under these realistic conditions, the YU7 Max traveled 300 miles before the digital dashboard showed a range of zero. That's 64.4% of its official CLTC range.

Curious about what happens when the counter hits zero, the drivers pushed on. The YU7 Max managed to travel an additional 6 miles before the battery was completely depleted and the car shut down, resulting in a total "dead-on-the-road" range of 306 miles. This brings the final achievement rate to 65.5% of the official claim, which probably tells you more about the unrealistic CLTC test than the performance of the car itself. The result is actually considered average among the electric cars Sohu has tested.

The highway range might raise some eyebrows, but the YU7 Max at least demonstrated impressive performance at the charging station. Using a high-powered DC fast charger, the car refilled its battery from completely empty to 100% in just 37 minutes. The charging process was really rapid in the crucial 5% to 70% state-of-charge window, where it maintained a steady charging power of 300 kW.

According to the data, the charger delivered 108.70 kWh of energy to achieve a full battery, which points to an energy consumption of 22.1 kWh/62 miles when accounting for charging losses. This is slightly higher than the 20.2 kWh/62 miles reported by the car's own trip computer.

This real-world test provides valuable insight for potential buyers of electric cars. It serves as a reminder that official range figures, especially like the over-optimistic CLTC standard, are achieved in highly controlled environments and rarely reflect the realities of high-speed highway driving with the air conditioning running.

Quite a surprise is the fact that the test also contrasts with claims from Xiaomi's CEO, Lei Jun, who stated he drove a standard YU7 model 808 miles from Beijing to Shanghai with only one charging stop. To achieve that, the car would have needed to go at a much lower speed.

Source (Chinese)