Tesla Model 3 and Model Y take top two spots in China's real-world efficiency tests
Published on Dec 07, 2025 at 1:22 AM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Dec 04, 2025 at 9:42 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y have just won big in China.
And that’s because the flagship EVs have taken the top two spots in some important tests.
China’s Autohome performed some real-world efficiency tests on lots of well-known cars.
And it was Tesla’s marquee offerings that came out on top.
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Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are still the standard
It turns out that Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y are still the EVs to beat.
And that verdict has been emphatically delivered…in China.
For those who are unaware, Autohome is one of China’s leading car websites.
It is a one-stop shop for all of the premier vehicles produced by Chinese brands.
The website recently conducted a very interesting series of EV tests.
It decided to take a series of market-leading EVs and pit them against each other.
And the competition was to determine which EVs have the ultimate efficiency.
Of course, such a scientific test required identical conditions.
These included a full 375kg cabin load, as well as a steady cruising speed of 75mph.
And it turns out that Tesla still dominates all its rivals in this category.
The Tesla Model 3 secured the top spot by posting a figure of 20.8 kWh/100 km.
Its Model Y sibling followed closely behind on the podium with 21.8 kWh/100 km.
Xiaomi CEO tips his cap to American rivals
But there’s something even more interesting that emerged from the test, and that’s the comments made by Xiaomi’s CEO.
Following the results, brand CEO Lei Jun noted that the Xiaomi SU7 actually performed well against its American rivals.
However, it naturally consumed more energy due to its larger footprint, among other factors.
Jun reiterated that size and weight were big factors in the difference.
But he paid tribute to Tesla, acknowledging its place as the market leader of EVs.
Taking to Chinese social media platform Weibo, Lei Jun had this to say.
“The Xiaomi SU7’s energy consumption performance is also very good; you can take a closer look.
“The fact that its test results are weaker than Tesla’s is partly due to objective reasons: the Xiaomi SU7 is a C-segment car, larger and with higher specifications, making it heavier and naturally increasing energy consumption.
“Of course, we will continue to learn from Tesla and further optimize its energy consumption performance!”
Score one for the American giants in this round.
Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
