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Xiaomi YU7 Max Electrek Hero

I had the chance to test drive the Xiaomi YU7 ahead of its launch today in China, and I came out of the entire experience both impressed and frustrated.

Let me try to explain why, and also why Western automakers are scared of these new Chinese EVs.

When I was a kid, I remember asking my dad why good-looking vehicles, like exotic supercars, cost so much more than regular cars. In my childish innocence, while I could understand that more performance and higher quality materials cost more, I couldn’t wrap my head around why automakers couldn’t make average performing cars with regular materials but with more aggressive and cooler designs.

My dad tried his best to explain the concept of scarcity and the limitations of different form factors in achieving higher sales volumes, but we ultimately agreed that automakers could technically produce more affordable vehicles with better, more aggressive designs.

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Of course, concepts like manufactured scarcity are complex to understand as a child, but the thought did stick with me that a company could mass-produce great exotic-looking cars for more reasonable prices.

That’s basically what Xiaomi is doing now.

One of Xiaomi’s taglines is “make innovative technology accessible to everyone.” That sounds like corporate talk, but I have to admit that it is living up to it with its electric vehicles. I’m not as familiar with its electronics, but I am hearing it’s a similar situation.

The company is facing criticism for the SU7’s resemblance to the Porsche Taycan, and now the YU7’s similarity to the Ferrari Purosangue is undeniable. However, you can’t tell me there’s no market for an all-electric Purosangue with actually higher performance, better tech, more utility, and for a tenth of the price?

That’s basically what the Xiaomi YU7 is and more.

Ultimately, every great car design is heavily inspired by other vehicles. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has been spotted driving the Purosangue, Ferrari’s latest $400,000 performance SUV, and it sounds like he thought: “Wouldn’t be nice if this were all-electric, with Xiaomi tech, and more affordable so hundreds of thousands of people could experience it?”

It turns out that, yes, it would be nice.

Xiaomi YU7 electric SUV Specs

Xiaomi is calling it an “SUV” due to the true meaning of the word: “sport utility vehicle,” but it doesn’t look like your average SUV.

When you lift the air suspension to the max (3″ of travel), it does look like more like one, but most of the time, it looks like a sporty wagon, which I love.

Xiaomi hasn’t been shy about going after the Tesla Model Y with the YU7, which is not a bad target considering it’s the best-selling vehicle in the world. The goal is drawing a lot of comparisons, so here are the dimensions compared with Tesla’s SUV:

Model Wheelbase Length Width* Height Kerb Weight
Xiaomi YU7 3,000 mm (118.1 in) 4,999 mm (196.8 in) 1,996 mm (78.6 in) 1,600 mm (63.0 in) 2,140 – 2,460 kg (4,718 – 5,423 lb)
Tesla Model Y (2025) 2,891 mm (113.8 in) 4,751 mm (187 in) 1,920 mm (75.6 in) 1,624 mm (63.9 in) 1,884 – 1,998 kg (4,154 – 4,404 lb)

As you can see, it is about a foot longer than the Model Y, 3 inches wider, and a little shorter.

It’s also quite a bit heavier, but that’s because it’s equipped with a significantly larger battery pack.

Tesla doesn’t officially disclose the capacity of its battery pack, but in the latest Model Y, they are estimated to be about 62 kWh for the base version and ~80 kWh for the long range version.

As for the YU7, it features a 96 kWh battery pack with LFP cells from BYD in both the standard and Pro versions.

The YU7 Max, the version I tested, is equipped with a 101 kWh battery pack with NMC battery cells from CATL.

The result is that the base YU7 achieves 835 km of range on a single charge, while the Max version achieves 760 km. The base version is equipped with a single RWD motor, making it the most efficient and therefore, the longest range.

Here are all the ranges of the different variants compared to Tesla’s own CLTC range in China:

Variant CLTC Range (km / mi)
Xiaomi YU7 (RWD) 835 km / 519 mi
Xiaomi YU7 Pro (AWD) 770 km / 478 mi
Xiaomi YU7 Max (AWD) 760 km / 472 mi
Tesla Model Y RWD 593 km / 369 mi
Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD 719 km / 447 mi

The CLTC standard is based on the average driving cycle in China, which is more city driving-based than most other markets, and the range would be slightly lower on the WLTP or EPA cycles.

It is a heavy vehicle, but Xiaomi countered that with significant energy capacity. In my experience with the performance electric SUV, you could easily get 500 km of highway driving on a single charge with the Max as long as you don’t go too much over the speed limit.

I looked at the energy stats of the YU7 Max that Xiaomi let me test, and it had consumed 1,113 kWh over 4,868 km:

However, the vehicle had been used as a press car, with people, including myself, driving it quite aggressively up and down mountain roads, mostly in “sport mode,” for the last week.

Even then, it still achieved an efficiency 4.3 km per kWh. I could see the efficiency improve by double digits if driven more normally, with a higher mix of comfort or eco modes, and with the smaller wheels.

But if I only get a few hours with a vehicle, I’m likely to spend most of my time in sports mode.

If you run out of range, charging can be extremely fast with the YU7. Xiaomi claims a 5.2C peak charging capacity, which on the highest capacity chargers will result in charging from 10 to 80% state-of-charge in 21 minutes for the variants with LFP cells (Standard and Pro) and only 12 minutes for the Max, which is powered by NMC cells.

As for the YU7’s power capacity, here are the different motor variants:

Variant Motor Configuration Power Output (kW) Torque (Nm) 0–100 km/h (s) Top Speed (km/h)
YU7 (RWD) Single rear-motor 235 kW 528 Nm 5.88 240
YU7 Pro (AWD) Dual motors (front + rear) 365 kW total 690 Nm 4.27 240
YU7 Max (AWD) Dual motors (220 kW front + 288 kW rear) 508 kW total 866 Nm 3.23 253

Again, I can only discuss the Max version, which was the one available to us during the press test drives ahead of the launch.

Here’s my video that goes into details about the Xiaomi YU7:

Xiaomi YU7 Driving Impression

A little further down, I’ll talk about all the technology, connectivity, and user interface in the YU7. As Xiaomi is known for its consumer electronics, I had high expectations in that regard, and I was confident that they would impress me.

The vehicle aspect is where I had more doubts, but I kept an open mind. After all, Xiaomi didn’t even have a vehicle division 5 years ago, and now they have the best-selling premium sedan in the world’s largest auto market.

As I write this, I haven’t had the chance to test the SU7, but I’m trying to get some time in the vehicle before leaving China. Talking to other journalists who have driven it, I’m told that it is a fun and impressive vehicle to drive, but that Xiaomi has also managed to make significant improvements and refinements with the YU7 in a short period of time.

The YU7 is heavy, but with the Max’s more than 500 kW powertrain, the weight disappears instantly when you need to go. The vehicle feels solid and planted to the road, thanks to its low center of gravity, especially at the lowest suspension setting.

Speaking of the suspension, it features a double wishbone in the front and a 5-link independent setup in the back, paired with standard air suspension, which adds 3 inches of adjustable height. For this price point, it’s hard to beat.

We mostly drove the car up and down mountain roads about 3 hours outside of Beijing. I couldn’t reach anywhere near the car’s 253 km/h (157 mph) top speed, but I was able to experience some cornering and handling, and the suspension’s active dampening was useful.

A documentary crew has been following me on my travels in China, and they attempted to film me in a Land Rover Evoque equipped with a crane camera. However, the SUV kept overheating before reaching the top of the 4-km hill climb, whereas the YU7 managed to complete the climb repeatedly all afternoon without issue.

The battery cooling system would be a bit loud, but you would only hear it from the outside, as the cabin isolation is incredible in this car. Xiaomi used double-paned glass everywhere, complemented by active noise canceling. It is exceptionally quiet, which is a big part of a luxury car experience in my book.

Another thing that I’ve found extremely impressive with the YU7 is the level of customization. Even something as simple as regenerative braking can be customized. You have a low, normal, and custom mode. In the custom mode, you can choose to have regen braking anywhere between 0 and 100%. At 100%, it is pretty much one pedal driving.

You can also customize your own driving mode with a ton of different options, including your power distribution from front to back, making the dual motor Max variant a RWD vehicle if you want:

I suggest watching my video about the YU7 for more details on customizing the driving modes.

The head-up display is also highly customizable. It’s not a typical HUD like augmented reality projecting onto the windshield – something the Xiaomi SU7 is equipped with.

The YU7 is instead equipped with a meter-long display that appears to be mounted deep into the dash. It’s an interesting feature that’s genuinely well-implemented. You can set it up to have your instrument cluster information on the driver side, and the position of the display, which almost appears to be floating between the dash and the windshield, is right at the bottom of your field of vision when driving.

The advantage is that everyone inside the car can actually see, unlike an augmented reality heads-up display. With the level customization, it can be useful to all passengers – although primarily the front passenger.

The high level of customization, both at the software level and at the accessory level, makes me feel like YU7 owners could really tune the vehicle to their liking over time, and your experience would get a lot better over the first few months as you learn more about the car.

At the accessory level, Xiaomi even offers a seamless add-on that snaps at the bottom of the main display to add analog buttons for climate control and a media volume dial.

The seats are perforated, ventilated, and extremely comfortable. Both front seats have massaging functions as standard, and they can lie back into zero-gravity position. Yes, even the driver’s seat.

The level of comfort is pretty impressive for a vehicle in that price range.

There’s also a lot of room in the back seats, which are also reclining, albeit not as much as the front seats, but they still go back to 135 degrees:

From the back seat, you can also access an optional mini fridge that fits under the center console. There are also optional mounting systems for tablets to fit behind each of the front seats.

Since Xiaomi has many smart home devices, YU7 owners can also purchase magnetic customizable buttons that can snap onto the center console or the B pillars and they can link into the Xiaomi app to initiate functions inside your car or your home if you have smart devices.

Honestly, there are too many tech and connectivity features in this car to list them out, but I do go through a lot of them in my video review.

The last piece of tech I’ll discuss is the ADAS system, which it is Xiaomi HAD. Xiaomi has packed the YU7 with an impressive ADAS hardware suite that includes one roof-mounted LiDAR with a 200-metre (660 ft) range, one 4D mmWave radar, 11 cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors, and uses an Nvidia DRIVE AGX Thor-U chip capable of 700 TOPS.

Xiaomi is not talking about achieving unsupervised self-driving capabilities with this yet, but it is future-proofing with the extensive hardware suite and this is currently only sold in China, which currently doesn’t allow level 3 and up automated systems in consumer vehicles.

We were able to test the current level 2 capacity, which includes automated lane changes on the highway, traffic-aware cruise control, and lane keeping, to a level similar to what I’ve experienced with Tesla Autopilot.

They even have a feature in beta that lets you see what the lidar sensor sees around the road in real-time.

The ADAS system also provides all the active safety features that you expect from a modern vehicle.

While it’s too early for the YU7 to have a safety rating, the SU7 had the highest overall score for any vehicle tested with the 2024 standards in the C-NCAP safety testing results.

For the YU7, Xiaomi developed its own ultra-strong steel alloy to reinforce several parts of the vehicle:

We won’t know until there’s indepent crash testing, but Xiaomi appears to be confident that the YU7 will perform well in those.

Xiaomi YU7 Pricing and availability

I drove the YU7 almost a week ago now, but we had an embargo until the launch event today, and Xiaomi didn’t want to elaborate on the price until CEO Lei Jun took the stage.

However, we had a fairly good idea based on the SU7 pricing and Xiaomi’s apparent attempt to target Tesla’s Model Y in the Chinese market.

Here’s the Xiaomi YU7 pricing per variant:

  • YU7 Standard: 253,500 RMB (equivalent to $35,300 USD)
  • YU7 Pro: 279,900 RMB (equivalent to $39,000 USD)
  • YU7 Max: 329,900 RMB (equivalent to $46,000 USD)

As for availability, deliveries are starting now. I visited the factory yesterday and I saw hundreds of them coming out of it.

For now, the vehicle is only available in China, but Xiaomi is aiming to expand globally starting in 2027.

Electrek’s Take

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, this was a frustrating test drive because I came out so impressed with this vehicle that I was frustrated knowing there’s no chance I or my friends in Canada and the US could buy it anytime soon due to ridiculous protectionist measures.

Honestly, I would trade my Model 3 performance in a heartbeat for a YU7, but that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon. I’m so impressed, I’m looking into ways to import it in Canada myself.

The form factor is incredible and works beautifully with the design. It packs 100 kWh of energy capacity, which is unprecedented for a vehicle in that price range.

Then, you have an incredibly fast-charging capability, and the vehicle is loaded with tech and connectivity features, all backed by an exceptionally smooth user interface. It’s a hard deal to pass on.

Finally, you add that it is packaged in a fit and finish that is on par, if not better than, what we have come to expect from premium automakers from the West.

Considering how quickly Xiaomi was able to ramp up production of the SU7 to over 30,000 units per month, and despite this, it still has a wait time of over 30 weeks for delivery, even though it is only sold in China, I wouldn’t be surprised if the YU7 becomes as popular, if not more so.

I think it will put a lot of pressure on other premium midsize SUVs in China, especially the Tesla Model Y.

The Xiaomi YU7 embodies why Western automakers are so concerned about Chinese EVs and have lobbied for tariffs on them. They can’t compete with this. At least, not now.

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Rad Power’s new Radster Trail and Road e-bikes hit $1,999 lows, EcoFlow 48-hour flash sale takes up to 54% off units from $429, more

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9 mins ago

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June 26, 2025

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Rad Power's new Radster Trail and Road e-bikes hit ,999 lows, EcoFlow 48-hour flash sale takes up to 54% off units from 9, more

Leading today’s Green Deals is Rad Power’s newly launched 4th of July Sale that is taking up to $600 off three e-bikes and up to 50% off add-on accessories – with the standout offers being the new Radster Road Commuter e-bike and the Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike returning to their $1,999 lows for the second time ever. We also have a 48-hour early Prime Day flash sale from EcoFlow that is offering up to 54% off either the DELTA Pro or DELTA Pro Ultra power stations, as well as the DELTA 2 expansion battery with return lows starting from $429. From there, we have two Greenworks deals, the first being the Greenworks 82V bundle of the Commercial-Grade 25-inch Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower with three 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger at $700. Bringing up the rear is a roundup of the brand’s electric pressure washers, with the 1,800 PSI Open Frame model with an onboard soap tank leading at $120. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Anker SOLIX F3000 power station launch deals, the exclusive Bluetti early Prime Day savings we’ve secured for our readers, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Rad Power Bikes celebrates 4th of July with its new Radster Trail and Road e-bikes back at $1,999 lows

Rad Power has launched its 4th of July Sale through July 9 that is continuing its $999 low on the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike, while also offering $200 off on two of its newest models, with the Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike for $1,999 shipped alongside the Radster Road Commuter e-bike also at $1,999 shipped. These two new models normally fetch $2,199 since they were released in March, with only one previous discount on the books to this same low price back during the brand’s Memorial Day Sale. Now the low pricing has returned, giving you $200 savings and the best rates yet on some of the latest e-mobility options. Below, you’ll also find several of the brand’s add-on accessories with up to 50% discounts during this sale too.

Rad Power’s Radster Road commuter e-bike and Radster Trail off-road e-bike differ based on where you plan to trek, with both boasting improved speed and mileage over the brand’s legacy models. They both come equipped with 750W rear hub motors producing 100Nm of torque alongside a 720Wh Safe Shield semi-integrated battery. You’ll be able to activate five pedal assistance levels (supported by a torque sensor) in order to travel up to 65+ miles on a single charge at up to 28 MPH top speeds.

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As I stated before, there’s a few key differences based on the model, with the Radster Road tailored for street riding with 29-inch by 2.2-inch Kenda Kwik puncture-resistant tires with a reflective strip while the Radster Trail has 27.5-inch by 3-inch Kenda Havoc puncture-resistant tires. Aside from those, there are some slight fender and handlebar grip variances, with both offering the same smart features like passcode locking, an included security fob, and more. From there, they share hydraulic suspension forks, hydraulic disc brakes, auto-on headlights, taillights with brake and turn signal lighting, rear cargo racks, 8-speed Shimano derailleurs, and a color display with a USB-C port to charge your phone.

Rad Power’s 4th of July Sale offers (through June 9):

Rad Power’s 4th of July Sale add-on accessory deals:

EcoFlow DELTA Pro portable power station

EcoFlow 48-hour flash sale takes up to 54% off two expandable power stations and extra battery offers starting from $429

EcoFlow has launched the next of its early Prime Day flash sales, offering up to 54% off three units and running for 48 hours. Two of these units even have different ways to save money, which we detail for each. The first of these deals gives you the DELTA Pro Portable Power Station with a free protective bag at $1,799 shipped (extra savings are not valid here), or you can add the station from this page to your cart and use the code EFPDAFF5 at checkout to get a price cut to $1,709.05 shipped along with a free RAPID 5,000mAh power bank. Down from the $3,699 MSRP, this is the first time since March that we’ve seen sales bring the costs down to $1,799, with it being the next-best price behind the $1,709 low from the extra savings option. You’ll find it priced at $1,799 from Amazon right now too, though this doesn’t include any free gear or extra savings options.

EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro power station is one of the most popular and most expansive units under the brand’s flag, starting with a 3,600Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can be boosted as high as 25kWh with additional equipment. It provides a steady 3,600W output, can surge up to 7,200W when needed, and comes with 14 ports to cover your devices and appliances. For recharging, you’ll have the option to plug it into a wall outlet, your car’s auxiliary port, or utilize up to its max 1,600W solar input to take advantage of sunny days.

While the next of the flash offers gives you the DELTA Pro Ultra Portable Power Station at $4,399 shipped, down from its full $6,098 price tag, you can’t stack the extra savings, but you can add the station to your cart from this page and use the code EFPDAFF7 at checkout to score it at $4,370.07 shipped – plus, you’ll be getting a free 250W solar panel along with it. This is the largest and most expansive of the brand’s stations, starting at a 6.1kWh LiFePO4 capacity and 7,200W output that can be built upon to reach as high as a 90kWh capacity and 21.6kW output. It even comes as the best whole-home backup system when paired alongside the Smart Home Panel 2, which lets it cover your home’s breaker but also connect to roof panels, among much more.

The last of these flash offers gives you the DELTA 2 Smart Extra Battery at $429 shipped, bringing it down from $799 with no way to score more savings like the other two – though this is a returning low price. With this add-on device, you’ll be able to expand your DELTA 2 power station setup with an additional 1,024Wh capacity, up to the unit’s 3,072Wh max capacity.

Be sure to check out the full lineup for EcoFlow’s early Prime Day Sale running through July 7, with 60% discounts, bonus 5% and 7% savings, free gifts, and installation subsidies – all starting from $179.

greenworks 82V 25-inch cordless self-propelled lawn mower

Score Greenworks’ 82V commercial 25-inch cordless self-propelled mower with three 4.0Ah batteries at $700

Amazon is offering the Greenworks 82V Commercial-Grade 25-inch Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower bundled with three 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger for $699.99 shipped. You’d normally shell out $700 at full price for the mower with two batteries, but this first-time bundle offer gives you the additional 4.0Ah battery ($250 value) for free. All-in-all, this is a 26% markdown on a bundle that would otherwise cost you $950 to buy separately, with the mower being one of the brand’s newest models at only a year old.

This 82V Greenworks mower comes with a 1.8kW brushless motor that “outperforms 160cc gas engine machines,” tackling up to 1/2 an acre with just two of the 4.0Ah batteries, which fit into the dual ports on the mower to prolong runtimes. It’s all housed inside a 25-inch steel deck, with self-propulsion tech supported by a variable speed rear wheel drive for effortless mobility. Alongside foldable handles for vertical storage and a 2-in-1 functionality for rear-bagging and mulching, it comes with SmartCut tech that auto-adapts cutting speeds based on the thickness of sensed grass as it moves. Like the other solutions under the Greenworks flag, this model starts at the push of a button and releases no fumes, no emissions, and far less noise.

This isn’t the only commercial-grade Greenworks deals we’ve seen lately, as you can pick up the 82V 760 CFM Cordless Axial Leaf Blower bundle with two 82V Bluetooth 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger that is now 50% off at a new $300 low, or the 82V 18-inch Commercial-Grade Cordless Chainsaw that comes with 4.0Ah and 2.5Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger at a new $400 low.

greenworks 1,800 PSI open frame electric pressure washer

Clean outdoor spaces with Greenworks’ 1,800 PSI electric pressure washer with an onboard soap tank for $120

Amazon is offering the Greenworks 1,800 PSI Open-Frame Electric Pressure Washer at $119.99 shipped. You’d normally have to shell out $170 for this model at full price, which we’ve only seen taken down to $127 twice in 2025. Today’s deal is going even lower thanks to the 29% markdown here that cuts $50 off the tag and lands it at the second-lowest price we have tracked – just $1 above the low we last saw during October’s Prime Day event.

Summer is in full swing and outdoor cleaning is well under way, and you can keep your driveway, walkways, patio furniture, and more in pristine condition with this open-frame electric pressure washer from Greenworks that has an onboard soap tank. It provides up to a max 1,800 PSI at up to a 1.2 GPM flow rate, and comes with four varying nozzles and a 25-foot high-pressure hose – with everything having an onboard place to keep them. You won’t be dealing with any gas, oil, or emissions here, with the system starting up at the press of a button.

Greenworks’ other electric pressure washer deals:

There’s also the Greenworks 40V bundle that gives you a 13-inch cordless string trimmer/edger, a 350 CFM leaf blower, and three replacement spools of line at a new $150 low.

Best Spring EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Hyundai and Kia are cutting prices with nearly $17,000 in discounts in some markets

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2 hours ago

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June 26, 2025

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Hyundai and Kia are cutting prices with nearly ,000 in discounts in some markets

Hyundai-Kia-cut-prices

Are the Korean auto giants facing slowing sales? Hyundai and Kia are offering generous incentives globally, resulting in price cuts worldwide. In some markets, discounts can reach nearly $17,000.

Hyundai Motor, including Kia, has launched aggressive sales promotions this month in six of its biggest global markets: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Central and South America.

The discounts apply to some of its top-selling EVs, including the IONIQ 5 and SUVs like the Tucson and Santa Fe.

According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, Hyundai and Kia cut prices by up to 23 million won, or nearly $17,000 in some regions.

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The promotions vary depending on the market. For example, in Serbia, Hyundai is offering up to 15,000 euros ($17,500) off the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 models. In Thailand and Chile, discounts reach as high as 12 million won ($8,900) and 17.8 million won ($13,100), respectively.

Why is Hyundai offering such significant discounts? The report suggests that it could be all due to the new 25% US auto tariffs on imported vehicles, Hyundai’s largest market.

Hyundai-Kia-cut-prices
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

After the tariffs were introduced, Hyundai and Kia reportedly told regional leaders to “increase sales by 10% in other regions.” A local report this week claimed Hyundai was temporarily pausing production of the IONIQ 5 and Kona EV at one of its plants in Korea due to slowing sales.

Hyundai-Kia-price-cuts
2026 Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)

What about the US?

In April, Hyundai launched its “Customer Assurance” program, promising not to raise vehicle prices in the US until June 2. The program has since been extended until July 7.

Although Hyundai is expected to hike prices following the window, the company denied the rumors, saying no decision has been made yet.

Several automakers have already announced plans to raise vehicle prices in the US, including Toyota, Ford, and Jeep maker Stellantis.

Hyundai-Kia-cut-prices
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Hyundai)

About 24% of Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold last year were in the US, making it a priority to protect prices. Although 60% of them were exported from Korea in 2024, Hyundai is ramping up local production to mitigate the blow.

After celebrating the grand opening of its new EV plant in Georgia, Hyundai kicked off production of its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9.

Hyundai-Kia-price-cuts
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 (Source: Hyundai)

The larger electric SUV joins the updated 2025 IONIQ 5, which Hyundai has been building at the facility since last year.

Once up and running, the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) is expected to have an annual production capacity of 300,000 units. If necessary, the output can be expanded to approximately 500,000.

2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim EV Powertrain Driving Range (miles) Starting Price*  Monthly lease price June 2025
IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range 168-horsepower rear motor 245 $42,500 $179
IONIQ 5 SE RWD 225-horsepower rear motor 318 $46,550 $199
IONIQ 5 SEL RWD 225-horsepower rear motor 318 $49,500 $209
IONIQ 5 Limited RWD 225-horsepower rear motor 318 $54,200 $309
IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD 320-horsepower dual motor 290 $50,050 $249
IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD 320-horsepower dual motor 290 $53,000 $259
IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor  AWD 320 horsepower dual motor 259 $55,400 $359
IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD 320-horsepower dual motor 269 $58,100 $299
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 prices and range by trim (*includes $1,475 destination fee)

After Hyundai cut lease prices again in June, the 2025 IONIQ 5 is now listed starting at just $179 per month. The three-row 2026 IONIQ 9 is available to lease starting at just $419 per month with up to $13,000 in discounts. Kia is currently offering up to $12,500 off its three-row EV9.

Hyundai is even throwing in a free  ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 charger with the purchase of any new 2026 IONIQ 9 or 2025 IONIQ 5 until the end of the year.

Looking to take advantage of the savings? We can help you get started. You can use our link to find Hyundai and Kia’s electric vehicles in your area.

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Want to drive 6,000 miles for just $160? You actually can. Here’s how

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2 hours ago

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June 26, 2025

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Want to drive 6,000 miles for just 0? You actually can. Here’s how

I know, it sounds like clickbait math, but it’s real: you can cover 6,000 miles for just $160 in fuel. There’s a catch, though. It’s not gasoline. Oh, and it’s not even in a car. You’ll need to trade in your four wheels for two. Specifically, you’ll need something like the Ryvid Anthem, a lightweight, street-legal electric motorcycle that was purpose-built for efficient urban commuting.

I’ve been in the market for a light electric motorcycle for my sister for a while now. And as I was perusing Ryvid’s site, I noticed a catchy graphic claiming that the bike could cover 6,000 miles (9,600 km) for just $160 in electricity.

It sounded too good to be true, so the engineer in me made me instantly bust out a pencil and start scribbling away on some scrap paper on my desk. And I’ll be damned – the math holds up. In fact, they were being extremely conservative with their numbers.

There are a few short paragraphs of math to follow here, but stick with me. It’s pretty simple, and the result is actually really impressive.

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The graphic that caught my eye

The Anthem’s 4.3 kWh battery offers up to 75 miles of city range, depending on riding style (whiskey throttling at every green light may ding your range, of course).

That works out to around 57 Wh/mile (35 Wh/km), which is impressively efficient, even compared to an electric car. (Electric cars usually consume around 220-270 Wh/mile at city speeds, or nearly 5x as much energy to go the same distance as the Ryvid Anthem).

Multiply the Ryvid’s consumption over 6,000 miles, and you’re looking at about 344 kWh of electricity consumed. At the national average residential electricity rate (roughly $0.16/kWh), that’s just $55 of electricity to travel 6,000 miles. That’s less than one cent per mile. Of course, electricity rates are vastly different around the country. In California, that much electricity would cost you double at $110. In North Dakota, it would be nearly half, costing you $35 to travel 6,000 miles at city speeds.

All of these are well below the $160 originally quoted by Ryvid for 6,000 miles of travel, likely because the company is being realistic and not trying to sneak by on “optimal conditions” figures to tout even lower charging costs. So let’s handicap ourselves and use worse efficiency numbers. Let’s say we don’t stick to city speeds. Let’s have some fun. If we instead use Ryvid’s constant 55 mph (88 km/h) range of 46 miles (74 km), that would rework the math to bring the cost up to $89 at the national average electricity prices. In California, it’d be $180. Back in Bismarck? $57 flat. Still under one penny per mile… if you’re cool with the Bismarck, North Dakota scene.

Anyway you slice it, and even with the most expensive electricity in the US, these are insanely affordable commuting figures. To put the numbers in perspective, even the most efficient electric cars, like the Tesla Model 3, average closer to 220 Wh/mi at city speeds (135 Wh/km). That same 6,000-mile journey would cost you about 1,320 kWh, or $211 at the national average. And that’s before factoring in significantly higher purchase prices for electric cars, costlier maintenance, registration fees, and all the other higher financial costs and headaches of owning a full-size vehicle.

ryvid anthem
ryvid anthem
ryvid anthem electric motorcycle
The Ryvid Anthem isn’t only efficient – it’s also eye-catching!

The Ryvid Anthem, by comparison, is a techy-yet-minimalist commuter bike that’s packed with some really clever features. It’s got an easily removable battery that you can roll inside like carry-on luggage to charge at a standard wall outlet, or you can plug the bike in directly for Level 2 charging, which gets you to 80% in just over an hour thanks to its large 3.3 kW built-in charger. The seat height is electronically adjustable (even while riding!), a huge benefit for riders closer to the ends of the height bell curve or those who share a bike with someone else. When I reviewed the motorcycle, I even found it nice for keeping the seat higher while riding and then dropping it down with the push of a button at red lights to more easily flat-foot it. And at just 313 lbs (142 kg), it’s lightweight and approachable, far less intimidating than many full-size motorcycles.

Performance-wise, the Anthem isn’t a long-distance highway cruiser, but with a top speed of over 75 mph (121 km/h), it’s more than capable of commuting on any highway or interstate, as long as you don’t need to go too far. Remember, this isn’t a sport bike and it’s not designed for long touring trips – it’s a super fun commuter.

The 4.3 kWh battery may sound small compared to an electric car, but it’s designed for efficiency. While 75 miles (121 km) is doable at city speeds, you’ll still be north of 40 miles (64 km) even when cruising at a constant 50+ mph (80+ km/h). Again, it’s for getting to work, not for getting to Sturgis. And since the battery can be rolled inside with you, riders could even bring it right into the office and charge it from a wall outlet during the day at work. Why not let your boss pay for your riding?!

For new riders who don’t want to deal with the maintenance associated with combustion engine motorcycles, regenerative braking and a simple belt drive system keep things quiet, simple, and low-maintenance. The bike even comes with a full-color LCD dash and an optional integrated mount for your smartphone. It even has reverse – an important feature missing on most electric motorcycles, including my fancy-shmancy LiveWire S2 Del Mar (a bike that also costs twice as much as the Ryvid and makes me feel like I skipped every leg day of my life when I need to back it up a 0.01% grade into my parking spot).

Commuter motorcycles like the Ryvid Anthem offer highway speeds at pennies per mile

Sure, making the switch from a car to an electric motorcycle isn’t just a financial decision, it can be a lifestyle change. You’ll need to get comfortable with no longer commuting from inside a box, occasionally using rain gear (you know, like you also do when walking on a rainy day), and the rhythm of two-wheeled commuting.

But for many riders, the benefits quickly outweigh the trade-offs. An $8,000 electric motorcycle sure sounds easier to swing than a $35,000 electric car, not to mention the considerably lower monthly cost of ownership. And beyond just the financial benefits, other advantages like easier parking, more enjoyable ride, and yes, massively lower energy consumption, make bikes like the Ryvid Anthem a compelling alternative to car ownership for urban and suburban commuters alike. And if you happen to live in a state that allows lane splitting or filtering, then the ability to cut your commute time down to a fraction of its former self and never wait in long lines of traffic again is something that feels too good to describe in words.

Yes, there are a few small barriers to entry. You’ll still have to get your motorcycle license and a good helmet. I’d also recommend some quality riding gear like a breathable mesh jacket. But after that? You’re looking at one of the cheapest and smartest ways to travel 6,000 miles without burning a drop of gas, and barely touching your wallet.

Oh, and if you want to push things to the limit and instead go 60,000 miles for $160, can I introduce you to an electric bicycle?

I love riding fast, efficient electric motorcycles… but electric bicycles are even MORE cost-effective for city travel!

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