Xiaomi SkyNomad N90 and N70 review: interior, features and industry firsts

Xiaomi is taking the automotive industry by storm by following its two main strategies - "Innovation for everyone" and "Human x Car x Home". The new brand managed to take significant market share from established players by targeting vital customer pain points and delivering great cars at impressive prices. The current SU7 and YU7 offer similar capabilities for a fraction of the price of their direct rivals.

Today, we had the opportunity to be among the very first people to get in touch with Xiaomi's brand new lineup of vehicles, called the SkyNomad. The first two models in the series are the SkyNomad N70, a luxury midsize SUV with five seats, and the SkyNomad N90, which offers similar exterior styling but even more luxury inside and seating for seven people in a 2-2-3 arrangement.

The SkyNomad series builds on Xiaomi's experience with the SU7 and YU7 and the knowledge gained from their first models. Some early mistakes are fixed, while the HyperOS-powered cabins should allow customers to smoothly control their vehicle from the comfort of their home and vice versa.

Xiaomi SkyNomad N90 Max

We will be focusing primarily on the 5.29m Xiaomi SkyNomad N90 as it will be the flagship of the brand. It is a boxy three-row SUV that redefines luxurious SUVs with its 2-2-3 lineup for seating, allowing second-row captain's chairs and seating three at the third row. This should suit not only the chauffeur-driven experience for executive managers but also large families.

Xiaomi's brand new Kunlun platform allows a perfectly flat floor above the battery, as well as thinner wheel wells to free up seating space in the back. It also lets the seats move freely in all axes, as well as the groundbreaking fully rotating chairs (front and back), previously only available in minivans and buses. Not only does this platform utilize space extremely efficiently, but it also houses one of the safest cabins in the industry, with safety levels much higher than the industry standards.

N90 from the outside

The exhibition model we got to test was the Xiaomi SkyNomad N90 Max, which is the highest available trim for the model. All versions come with the same 1.5-litre petrol range extender engine with a 2.12 ft³ fuel tank, which is promised to push the maximum range to 1,059 miles without having to stop for charging or refueling. The engine doesn't power the wheels, so all the power available comes solely from the electric motors.

SkyNomad N90

There are two battery variants available, the smaller one being a 52 kWh LFP unit and the larger one, like in the test car has NMC chemistry and 76 kWh capacity. The smaller battery can go 186 miles on its own, whereas the furthest the N90 can go on pure electricity is 314 miles. The numbers quoted are on the very optimistic CLTC standard, but are still impressive.

When it comes to performance, the top version reaches 62 mph from a standstill in 5.9 seconds.

Exterior

On the outside, the Xiaomi SkyNomad N90 Max is a bulky, monolithic SUV that oozes presence and reassures of its capabilities. The dragonfly headlights are a hint of subtlety in an otherwise brutalist exterior. They smoothly transition into the large front panel that proudly says SkyNomad across the entire front end of the vehicle.

Exterior, headlights

The LiDAR sensors stick out of the windshield like a pimple on a teenager's forehead, as in every other vehicle with that technology, but they enable a number of cool driving aids, which is a nice tradeoff for a slight exterior downgrade.

On the side, the squared-off structure hints at maximized interior space, whereas the frameless wing mirrors once again contradict the blocky styling to make it less intimidating and add a sense of occasion.

Frameless mirrors

As you open any door on the outside, an automatic doorstep pops quickly off the side skirt to help you get up and inside the cabin, which is a great convenience feature for such a large vehicle.

The wheels are significant 21-inch multi-spoke units, finished in aluminum with black accents, giving the N90 a stately look.

From the rear, the SkyNomad N90 looks just as intimidating as from any other side. A huge LED halo bar spans across the rear and bends downward to create a distinctive look, reminiscent of the SU7 and YU7 models, yet completely different.

Interior

The cabin is where Xiaomi has put the most dedication, ensuring the SkyNomad N90 provides unparalleled levels of comfort and luxury, especially for its class and price point. Nearly every material you touch is amazing, and only a few slight oversights keep it away from the very best in the business. Soft padding is used for 95% of the touch surfaces inside to ensure maximum comfort.

Xiaomi doesn't just target traditional full-size SUVs but rather wants to turn the SkyNomad N90's interior into a living room on wheels. The focus is less on driving and more on convenience and utility, which further showcases how advanced Xiaomi's thinking is and how they don't want to compete but rather aspire to redefine the industry they just entered.

The steering wheel is flattened for easier access, but that will inevitably take a toll on the driving experience as the N90 will be slightly harder to maneuver.

Behind it is the gauge cluster display, which isn't spectacular, but it does its job pretty well and displays sufficient information for the driver, without adding any unnecessary theatrics.

Nice main display

The dashboard is covered in hidden vents, controlled by subtle units on every side, which nicely complete the overall interior design, rather than disturbing it. There are even some exposed rivets left on purpose to add a touch of ruggedness.

The head-up display unit offers great visibility and a lot of optional readouts, making it highly practical and virtually eliminating the need to look at the gauge cluster display ever.

The 16.1-inch 3K center display is a huge unit that controls most of the vehicle's capabilities, including the swiveling seats, which is the N90's biggest party trick.

Underneath the center screen is a row of drawers, suitable for carrying smaller objects around and hiding them out of sight. It looks more like a bedside cabinet, than a traditional vehicle accessory.

Lots of drawers

The center console can be moved forwards or backwards with the press of a button, and this allows for either more space or more utility in each of the first rows. On it there are cup holders and wireless charging ports, while underneath it are hidden large storage spaces.

The sunroof is split into two parts, the front of which can be opened and the rear one illuminated to enhance the atmosphere in the cabin.

The door sills are massive, yet nothing unusual or special is going on there. There are classic buttons for the windows and the door release. The impressive part is that once the door opening button is pressed, the door will automatically close or open, and that is a feature very few vehicles offer and a staple of ultimate luxury.

Moving on to the best part of the interior, which is undoubtedly the seats. Each seat in the front two rows is a comfortable sofa, which can face forwards or backwards and be adjusted in multiple positions, including turning into a first-class lounge bed. These seats also offer heating, cooling, and massaging features for extra comfortable trips.

Of course, the swiveling feature can only be accessed while the car is not in motion and is therefore being used more like a living room instead of a traditional vehicle.

The rear passengers get access to a rather large 0.32 ft³ fridge, which opens from the bottom of the center console and can be used even when the car is turned off at the small expense of 1 kWh/day consumption.

The rear occupants also get their specialized phone-like panel to control all of the rear features, as well as a remote to use for the drop-down screen.

The screen is a 21.4-inch unit that drops down from the roof and projects images in 3K resolution. It can be used for games, videos, or work and is a fantastic addition for both businessmen and kids. Adding a Xiaomi TV into the unit makes it more usable than traditional TV screens in vehicles and helps users bridge the gap.

The third row is a bench with space for three people to sit. It sounds uncomfortable, but in reality it isn't. Our reviewer is 1.95 m (6'4") tall and can sit comfortably on each seat in the vehicle. The middle seat does sacrifice side space, but that is to be expected of most vehicles, and the practicality of the quick pass-through between the rows is a much more appreciated feature.

Thanks to the large railings mounted on the floor of the SkyNomad N90, the arrangement possibilities are endless. The maximum possible legroom for the rear passengers is the impressive 5.09 ft. All the seats can be moved in each direction, allowing an easy customization process based on your specific needs.

Storage and practicalities

Thanks to the boxy design on the outside and the lavish size of almost 17.4 ft, storage is not a problem for the Xiaomi SkyNomad N90 even with all seats up. In this configuration, it should be able to carry seven carry-on suitcases or about 20.4 ft³.

That being said, thanks to the movable third and second row, that space can be easily increased by sacrificing some interior room or completely folding the seats, which should account for a maximum of over 63.6 ft³.

There is also some storage space underneath the main compartment for hiding smaller objects you rarely use.

Xiaomi SkyNomad N70 Max

We also got to take a close look at the smaller Xiaomi SkyNomad N70, again in the Max version. The exteriors of the two vehicles are vastly similar, with the front end sporting the same look.

The N70 is also propelled by the same engines (electric and petrol) and offers the same battery sizes. The major difference between the two is their size. The SkyNomad N70 spans just under 16 ft, which is significantly less than the N90. That should ensure better handling and tighter cornering at the expense of some practicality that often comes with the added space.

This makes the side profile of the N70 look sportier and more muscly, whereas the N90 has the more stately stance.

The N70 has a much shorter rear-wheel overhang, which should lead to improved off-road performance, not to mention a better look.

On the rear, the N70 hardly differs from the N90, and if not for the badging, one could likely mistake the two models.

But those multiple similarities are intentional, as Xiaomi wants the two models to appeal to different customers but offer more or less the same status. The N70 shouldn't be looked at as a lesser proposition but rather the same product aimed at customers with different needs.

Verdict

Xiaomi is continuing its expansion in the automotive world at an impressive rate. The new SkyNomad models N90 and N70 target buyers who want more than a large SUV but rather an experience that enhances their life. The SkyNomad lineup promises not only great connectivity with exterior devices but also can stop being a traditional vehicle and turn into a lounge area when stationary to provide its passengers with unparalleled practicality.

SkyNomad N90 and N70

The big question is whether or not the model will get out of the Chinese market and even come to Europe. Xiaomi will be opening a factory in Spain in 2027, but the first models to be made there will be the SU7 and YU7. We just have to wait and hope the SkyNomad N70 and N90 reach more markets so that more people can enjoy what is currently the peak of Xiaomi in terms of luxury and practicality inside a vehicle.