Yesterday, a major guest appeared at the Qualcomm new product launch event—Xiaomi's first pure electric model, the SU7. The Xiaomi SU7 seems to attract attention naturally, drawing crowds wherever it goes, including the Qualcomm launch event.

A car that can evoke various "candid shots" and discussions, topping the trending search one after another, is the dream of many car manufacturers. A few days ago, Lei Jun tweeted that reservations to experience the car in-store had increased by 100,000 in a single day. The Xiaomi SU7 is set to launch on March 28, and I have also booked an in-store experience recently. I'm sure you're all looking forward to it. As the saying goes, "tall trees catch more wind." As the public's attention on the Xiaomi SU7 intensifies, the car's practical interior space has been scrutinized.

An astute blogger captured footage of Lu Weibing sitting in the SU7's back seat. From an external perspective, it was evident that headroom was minimal, legroom was narrow, and his thighs lacked adequate support from the rear seat cushion. It's reasonable to assume that the ride experience may not be optimal.

Rumors of Cramped Backseat in Xiaomi SU7 Spark Concern

Claims that the Xiaomi SU7 lacks adequate rear-seat space have surfaced, prompting skepticism towards the automaker. Xiaomi swiftly intervened to address the issue, with Lu Weibing releasing a video clarification. He explained that the front seats were adjusted all the way back during filming, creating the illusion of limited legroom. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun reinforced this, stating that the SU7, a Class-C sedan, offers more rear legroom than the Model S and standard-wheelbase BMW 5 Series. During the video, when the front passenger seat of the SU7 returned to its normal position, the distance between Li Weibing's knees and the front seat back was visually more than a fist's width. However, the thigh support and headroom performance still seemed to not be understood by some netizens, some of whom bluntly said, "It looks smaller after watching." The Xiaomi SU7 is generating a lot of buzz, with many people bullish on its prospects. But there are also skeptics. The official launch is on March 28, so it's crucial for Xiaomi to capitalize on the hype. Going back to the SU7 itself, as a C-segment electric sedan, why does it feel "spaciousness-compromised"?

The Xiaomi SU7 May Not Be a "People Carrier"

Let's recap the Xiaomi SU7's dimensions: The overall length is 4997mm, width is 1963mm, height is 1440mm, and the wheelbase is 3 meters. The wheelbase and width significantly impact the "lateral space" in the passenger compartment. Judging by the specs alone, the SU7 is on par with the BMW 5 Series (wheelbase 2975mm) and the Tesla Model S (wheelbase 2960mm) as Lei Jun claimed, even slightly ahead. Xiaomi also hyped up the SU7's interior space, claiming that it supports tablet expansion in the rear and emphasizing the rear seat's comfort and entertainment experience. However, there's a bit of a "buyer's show vs. seller's show" vibe when comparing the official promo to Mr. Lei's actual in-car experience. The promo and the reality don't quite match up, and combined with the car's length of nearly 5 meters, the rear seat space has become a point of contention.

When comparing the Xiaomi SU7 to other pure electric sedans in the same class, one blogger discovered that the former's front overhang, front end, and B-pillar are set further back than on typical mid-to-large sedans. Xiaomi claims that this follows a golden ratio design of 3x wheelbase to 2x wheel height, which results in a more elegant body posture and a lower drag coefficient, benefiting driving and handling. However, the SU7's height is less than 1.5 meters, so headroom inevitably can't compare to SUVs or MPVs.

However, the rear space of the SU7 has been squeezed by the front and front seats. The rear seat cushion is relatively short and adopts the mainstream溜背造型, which naturally reduces the rear seat experience. Long wheelbase is not the only indicator of large space. The key is how the manufacturer defines the product.

The design of the expandable entertainment screen in the rear is commendable and also has a certain tolerance for third-party products. It is the soul of realizing "equal rights in the cockpit" and is also a good trick for new car-making forces to create intelligent cockpits.

The core of the smart cockpit, after all, is "smart" and "cockpit". A good cockpit intelligence requires a sense of space, which is something that SUVs and MPVs do better in current new energy vehicles. Mid- to high-end pure electric sedans currently focus on the front row and driving control.

Or, considering market demand, Xiaotong would not rule out the possibility that Xiaomi will launch station wagons or travel cars that combine the spaciousness of an SUV with the handling performance of a sedan, or extend other crossover models.

There is no absolutely perfect "Dream Car"

Xiaotong believes that sedans are just a general classification of cars. Over the century-long history of the automobile industry, sedans have evolved into many subcategories to meet the needs of different consumer groups.

In the eyes of Lei Jun, the classic automotive design should be the sedan, but he didn't specify which type of sedan because in the minds of a million people, there are a million "Dream Cars". It's like the Xiaomi SU7. The rear seat space doesn't really matter whether it is worthy of a Class C sedan. It will always have a group of "loyal supporters".

Each sedan model has its own focus. Some emphasize performance and design, while others focus on ride comfort. Parameters are just a reference. Whether the rear seat space of a sedan is spacious enough depends on the product positioning and the manufacturer's philosophy. The key is to meet the user's car use needs. People who buy Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars probably won't have many fantasies about the racetrack.

The SU7 isn't a model built around absolute comfort for passengers. The official marketing heavily promotes its handling, outright performance, and design profile, aiming to create an image of a performance-oriented sedan. On top of that, it incorporates family sedan features such as an intelligent entertainment system, comfortable seat materials, etc. Those who truly prioritize rear-seat space tend to opt for SUVs and MPVs. Additionally, Xiaomi has its own plans for an SUV product, so those who are dissatisfied with the rear space of the SU7 can wait for that.

This is not to say that the SU7's rear seat is "unusable." For relatively short passengers, it can still provide a satisfactory riding experience. Taller individuals sitting in the back may experience fatigue during long journeys.

谈谈小米 SU7，别那么较真

从好的方面看，小米 SU7 的后备箱和前备箱空间够大，造型很特色，操控表现、车家生态、智能座舱和智能驾驶这些卖点，也不会因为后排空间而被忽视。互联网厂商在软件算法上更有心得，软件定义汽车，相信会带来意想不到的表现。

小米 SU7 后排空间够不够用，我说了不算，需求和预算掌握在每位消费者手里，而且官方最近已经开放新车体验，百闻不如一见。市面上没有完美的车，使用场景和产品相互匹配，才是真正的 "Dream Car"。

为自己正名无需操之过急

偏激的网友揪着 SU7 的后排空间不放，理智的网友也表达了自己的看法。他们认为官方不必因为后排空间下场澄清，每款车都有不同的定位和侧重点，只要找对了目标群体就行。小米 SU7 后排空间引发争议，官方火速 "辟谣" 有点操之过急。

卢伟冰拍视频自证是有自己的道理的，小米 SU7 正处在汽车流量的风口浪尖，车企的每一步都需要慎重，尤其是汽车行业的新玩家，在用户眼里可能容不得一颗 "沙子"。SU7 后排空间或许不重要，大家只是希望看到尽善尽美的 Xiaomi 汽车。

毫无疑问，小米 SU7 不是完美的产品，它的不完美可能会招致骂声，但也恰恰证明了它产品定义的独特性。新能源汽车市场同质化严重，很多车企为了提高销量，产品思路往往参考销量高的品牌，这也导致不同品牌和外观的车，能提供类似的核心体验。 Market homogeneity also makes distinctive products more valuable. It's reported that before the launch of the SU7, Xiaomi conducted extensive user research, indicating a clear understanding of its target users. Rear space is likely not a priority for them. Nevertheless, Xiaotong urges manufacturers not to exaggerate claims.

Xiaotong believes that Xiaomi should remain confident in its upcoming debut product. Perhaps the most anticipated aspect is the Xiaomi car's pricing.

With only nine days until the Xiaomi SU7's release, exceptional products require minimal explanation. Xiaotong asserts that rear space will not be a decisive factor in target consumers' purchasing decisions. Patience and anticipation are key.