Xiaomi makes phones. And tablets. TVs, watches, scooters, robot vacuums and just about anything else that can be connected to something.

Now it makes cars.

And early in 2027, Australians are expected to be able to buy one.

The Xiaomi SU7 is a sleek electric sports sedan and, on first appearance, an unusually convincing first attempt at building a car.

Which raises a rather interesting question.

What does a technology company know about building cars?

Possibly more than the traditional car industry would like.

Xiaomi entered the Chinese car market in 2024. The updated SU7 comes in three versions, with claimed CLTC ranges stretching from 720km to 902km, depending on battery and specification.

There is LiDAR across the range, nine airbags, air suspension and the sort of connected technology you'd expect from a company whose natural habitat is consumer electronics.

Those numbers need some perspective. CLTC isn't Australian real-world range. A claimed 902km doesn't mean you'll drive 902km down the Hume before looking for a charger.

Watt does that mean?

We don't know yet.

And that's why we want to drive it.

The interesting thing about Xiaomi isn't simply whether it can build a fast electric sedan with a very large battery. It's whether a company that understands software, devices and ecosystems approaches the car differently from companies that have spent a century building cars.

Does that make the SU7 better?

Maybe.

Does it make it interesting?

Absolutely.

Then there's the price.

Australian pricing hasn't been announced.

Its Chinese starting price converts to roughly AU$47,300, but that's not an Australian price and we wouldn't pretend it is.

We'll wait for the real number.

Because if Xiaomi gets the Australian price right, the SU7 won't merely be another new EV.

It could be another indication that the definition of a car company is changing remarkably quickly.

Possible contender?

Of course.

But first we'd like to find out whether the company that can connect your phone, watch, television and vacuum cleaner can build a car we'd actually spend our own money on.

Now we'd like the keys.