Xiaomi SkyNomad Revealed: Full-Size SUV With Freely Transformable Interior

Shortly after confirming the heavily leaked SkyNomad name for its upcoming hybrid SUV series, Xiaomi has given us an early look at the first model, which is expected to be launched in China very soon. The key feature of this SUV is its fully configurable interior, making it function as an SUV or MPV, or even a private bedroom suite on wheels.

Xiaomi even describes other creative possibilities for the interior space: a studio, a cafe, a living room, or even a playground for a family. The SUV is imagined as a “mobile world” that can be changed around as the owner wishes. In the run-up to the launch, Xiaomi will also see how fans respond, and what ideas they come up with for the "smart, variable-space SUV".

The company is clearly setting the SkyNomad series apart from its current portfolio. While the SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV families are designed around the thrill of driving, SkyNomad is targeted primarily at those who want a luxury experience while lounging in the back. The company promises not only freely configurable interior space, but also the freedom to travel long distances, in a reference to this being the company’s first-ever range-extender hybrid model.

In a post on the Chinese-language Weibo social network, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun said that the company created SkyNomad as a new series after seeing the evolution of customer needs. People want features like sofas, refrigerators, and large TVs in their cars. Some people commute for multiple hours per day and regularly sleep in their cars, while others take long weekend trips out of town.

The ultimate goal for SkyNomad is to make a car as comfortable as possible while accommodating a range of use cases. It is not just a family car or business vehicle, but one that can adapt to all roles, according to Lei Jun. The target market will be discerning individuals, no matter their career or stage in life, who want luxury, flexibility, and innovation.

Images on Xiaomi’s Weibo show various configurations with a lie-flat bed, a workstation, four seats around a central table, a private two-person meeting setup, a dining table, and a standard van with plenty of space for luggage, among other possibilities.

Xiaomi has developed a whole new vehicle architecture, called Kunlun, to achieve this vision. The SkyNomad series will have flat floors with rails on which different equipment can slide, allowing for modifiable layouts. Development has been in progress for three and a half years.

No actual specifications have yet been announced, but we can expect much more detail to be released as Xiaomi builds anticipation to the launch. From sightings of test mules, it is known that the first SkyNomad SUV will be at least 5.2m long and will have a hybrid range-extender powertrain. It was previously referred to as the "Xiaomi YU9" due to its expected positioning. Mileage is expected to be in excess of 1,000km. Other details visible in the new teasers include a large central touchscreen on the dashboard much like the SU7 and YU7 have, plus a smaller screen for rear passengers.

While Xiaomi is preparing for a launch in Europe in 2027, there is no word yet on a possible India market entry.