In July 2025, Xiaomi's YU7 and XPeng's G7 were launched. They are bound to be competitors to Tesla's Model Y. Let's visit offline stores and see which one is the best.
The main purpose of this store visit is to help you clarify your thoughts and choose the most suitable model if, like me, you don't have a clear preference among the three.
Tesla officially launched the refreshed Model Y in March this year. Currently, two models are available, priced between 263,500 and 313,500 yuan. The new model has upgraded its exterior design and increased the body length by 47 mm, with dimensions of 4,797/1,920/1,624 mm and a wheelbase of 2,890 mm. The interior is aligned with the refreshed Model 3, featuring an AMD Ryzen infotainment chip and an AI 4 (720 TOPS) intelligent driving chip. The powertrain still offers rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, with ranges of 539 km and 750 km, respectively.
During the test drive, the salesperson said, "Tesla's Model Y still leads in the three-electric system. Especially in terms of battery degradation, it can achieve only 13% degradation over 300,000 km (unofficial data). Although the current range may not be an advantage, it could change in a few years. In terms of driving, the accelerator pedal has zero delay, and the Hold Mode (which allows the vehicle to slowly decelerate to a stop after releasing the accelerator) is one of Tesla's secrets, providing a feeling similar to coasting in a fuel vehicle."
In terms of actual experience, the seats of the Tesla Model Y were surprisingly soft, but the chassis was indeed on the firmer side, with the rear seating comfort just passing the mark. After switching to the driver's seat, the driving feel was indeed outstanding. The Hold Mode, once adapted to, could indeed help reduce driving fatigue. Overall, the driving experience could be rated highly. However, although the screen gear shift was smooth, it still took some time to get used to.
Xiaomi's YU7 was launched on June 26, with a price range of 253,500 to 329,900 yuan. Pre-configured models began delivery on July 6, and the longest delivery cycle for custom-configured models has been extended to 60 weeks. Before leaving the Tesla store, the salesperson mentioned that there would likely be no test drives for the Xiaomi YU7, and one would have to wait in line. So, we visited a dealer instead of a shopping mall to find out more.
We test-drove a fully optioned Max version of the Xiaomi YU7. Thanks to its dual-chamber air suspension and continuously variable damping shock absorbers, the YU7 achieved a relative balance between sportiness and comfort in both riding and driving. In my personal experience, in terms of driving control, seating comfort, and noise reduction, the overall driving quality of the Xiaomi YU7 has truly surpassed that of the Tesla Model Y.
XPeng's G7 was launched on July 3. It has three models, priced between 195,800 and 225,800 yuan. The XPeng G7 focuses on technology, space, and comfort, forming a differentiated competition with the Xiaomi YU7.
During the test drive, the front and rear seats of the XPeng G7 were very soft, which can be said to be the softest compared with the Xiaomi YU7 and Tesla Model Y. At the beginning of the test drive, the salesperson activated the intelligent driving mode. The car smoothly navigated through intersections and lane changes. The salesperson also said, "XPeng focuses on intelligent driving. Although we don't have a lidar, the level of intelligent driving relies more on backend data and algorithms. In June this year, XPeng already had 50 million Clips (autonomous driving training data segments), and this is not something that can be bridged by just having a lidar. For example, in skiing, the lidar is your ski board, and Clips are equivalent to your training times. To go on advanced slopes, it's definitely not just about having a high-end ski board."
If you are still not clear on how to choose after reading this, here is my personal suggestion: If your car budget is within 250,000 yuan and you don't care about all-wheel drive and driving pleasure, then the XPeng G7's home-oriented attributes and intelligent driving performance are more recommended. If your budget is above 250,000 yuan, the Xiaomi YU7 has stronger overall quality, and the emotional value brought by the human-vehicle-home ecosystem and various accessories is indeed very infectious. If your budget allows, book it as soon as possible and get the car early. As for the Tesla Model Y, its outstanding driving quality and the 0% interest policy for five years are still quite attractive. Its current delivery cycle has been shortened to 1–3 weeks. If your license plate is about to expire and you are in a hurry to get the car, choosing it is also a good option. If you are not in a rush to get the car, waiting until August to see how the purchasing benefits of the three brands will be updated and then making a decision is also a viable choice.
