Space-First Design: Why the SkyNomad Changes Everything

On July 30, 2026, Xiaomi unveiled its most ambitious automotive product yet: the SkyNomad series. Two models — the N90 Max and N70 Max — are now available for pre-order, with a 1,000 yuan refundable deposit and deliveries expected in September 2026.

At first glance, the SkyNomad's boxy, upright silhouette invites comparisons to the Land Rover Range Rover — and that's not accidental. But the real story isn't just about looks. It's about a fundamental rethinking of what a large SUV can be.

Where most automakers start with styling and then allocate the leftover space to passengers, Xiaomi has done the opposite. The SkyNomad is designed from the inside out — space first, everything else second . The result is a vehicle that offers SUV presence and MPV space, with a level of interior flexibility that no competitor can match.

This isn't a "budget alternative" to the Li L8 or AITO M9. It's a different category entirely.

"Space-First" Design Philosophy

Traditional large SUVs follow a predictable formula: designers sketch the exterior, engineers package the powertrain, and whatever space remains is allocated to passengers. The result is often compromised third-row headroom, a lumpy floor with a step between rows, and limited flexibility.

Xiaomi's SkyNomad series flips this entirely .

The company's new Kunlun architecture was developed specifically to prioritize interior space from the very first engineering decision . Rather than starting with a platform and fitting a cabin around it, Xiaomi started with the cabin and built everything else around it .

This isn't a minor engineering achievement. In a large EREV SUV with a battery pack under the floor and an exhaust system routed underneath, achieving a flat floor is extremely difficult. Competitors like the Li L8 and AITO M9 compromise with stepped floors — a subtle but real difference that affects how passengers sit and how the cabin can be reconfigured .

The Pure Flat Floor

The numbers are worth paying attention to. The SkyNomad's cabin floor runs 2.9 meters from front to rear, with a flat area of over 4.4 square meters . The floor angle is just 2.95 degrees — effectively flat enough that a child can stand upright inside the cabin .

This matters in ways that aren't obvious until you've lived with a large SUV. Traditional seven-seaters often have a step-up between the second and third rows, which limits legroom and makes the third row feel cramped. The N90 Max's flat floor eliminates that entirely .

Combined with the flat floor, six aluminum sliding rails run the length of the cabin. The longest rail measures 1,938mm — long enough to slide seats from the front to the rear of the cabin .

The N90 Max offers 18 different seating configurations, from a face-to-face meeting space to a bed mode for overnight camping .

The Variable Space Interior

With the flat floor and sliding rails, the SkyNomad can transform between modes that most SUVs can't even attempt:

• Meeting mode: Front seats rotate 180°, turning the cabin into a face-to-face meeting room
• Office mode: The mobile center console slides to become a work table
• Nap mode: Seats recline for rest
• Bed mode: Seats fold flat for sleeping — up to 1,831 liters of cargo space
• Camping mode: Rear seats fold, tailgate opens, and the 6.6kW V2L system powers external devices

All mode changes are voice-controlled via Xiao Ai — a single command transforms the cabin.

The cabin also includes 34 storage compartments and up to 12 ecosystem interface ports, allowing users to mount accessories like tablet stands or cup holders .

Design: Rugged, Purposeful, and Functional

The N90 Max measures 5,285mm long, 1,998mm wide, and 1,825mm tall, with a 3,080mm wheelbase . The N70 Max shares the width but is shorter at 4,960mm and 1,765mm, with a 2,950mm wheelbase .

Front End

The front fascia is dominated by a cross-shaped headlight graphic — a strong, distinctive visual signature that separates the SkyNomad from Xiaomi's earlier sedans. The grille features "SkyNomad" lettering, while the hood carries the MI logo — a dual-badge setup unusual for Xiaomi, suggesting the company is treating SkyNomad as a distinct sub-brand. The front bumper includes a skid plate hinting at light off-road capability .

Side Profile

The side view reinforces the N90's strong, planted stance. The roofline is flat and unbroken, maximizing headroom for the second and third rows. Key details include semi-hidden door handles that sit flush with the body work and aero-optimized multi-spoke rims fitted with 265/45 R21 or 275/40 R22 tires .

Rear End

The rear design is clean and horizontal, with a full-width LED light bar and a clamshell split tailgate — the glass hatch opens upward independently while the lower tailgate folds down — ideal for camping, tailgating, or simply sitting on the edge of the trunk .

The SkyNomad achieves a drag coefficient of 0.255 — excellent for a vehicle of this size . It features an active grille shutter system and over 140 aerodynamic optimizations .

How the SkyNomad Compares to Its Rivals

The most common question is obvious: how does this compare to the Li L8 and AITO M9? But a more useful question is: what are the N90 Max and its rivals actually optimized for?

Where the Li L8 Wins

The Li L8 is the more refined, established choice. Its zero-gravity seats, 27-speaker audio system, and integrated family-centric software are genuinely impressive . There's no substitute for the confidence that comes with a mature product and a proven service network.

Where the AITO M9 Wins

The AITO M9 excels in its Huawei ecosystem integration. The Huawei ADS 2.0 driving assistance is arguably the best on the market, and the HarmonyOS multi-screen experience is polished .

Where the SkyNomad Wins

The SkyNomad's advantages aren't just about range or battery size — though those are significant. They're about a fundamentally different approach to what an SUV can be:

Pure flat floor: The Li L8 and AITO M9 both have conventional stepped floors. The N90 Max's pure flat floor enables seating configurations that competitors simply cannot match.

180° rotating front seats: This isn't a gimmick. It enables face-to-face meetings, full reclining for the front passenger, and a genuinely different cabin experience .

Full-length sliding rails: The 1,938mm rails let you reconfigure the cabin on the fly in ways that fixed seats don't allow .

76kWh battery: The N90 Max's 76kWh battery offers roughly twice the EV range of competitors — 464km vs ~225km — which is enough to make the N90 a genuine EV for most daily driving .

Compatibility with 92-octane fuel: A small but meaningful differentiator for owners who want to reduce fuel costs .

Price: At 299,900 RMB, the N90 Max undercuts the Li L8 (369,800 RMB) and the AITO M9 (469,800 RMB) by significant margins .

Range and Efficiency

The SkyNomad series achieves its class-leading range figures through a combination of a large battery and efficient range extender operation.

Both models use dual-motor all-wheel drive with peak power of 310kW. The range extender is designed to run efficiently even in extreme conditions, and the 1.5T engine is optimized for a wide range of operating conditions. Both models support 92, 95, and 98 octane gasoline .

Which One Should You Buy?

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