NIO has unveiled its new-generation ES8, a full-size electric SUV that brings flagship luxury and advanced technology while dramatically undercutting the outgoing model’s price. According to a hands-on review by China Driven, the new ES8 starts at ¥416,800 (≈ US$58,000) roughly ¥111,200 (≈ US$17,000) less than the launch price of the previous-generation ES8, and offers a battery-as-service (BAS) option that pushes the purchase price even lower for buyers who choose to rent the battery.
NIO ES8 Key specifications
- Starting price: ¥416,800 (≈ US$58,000) (new model).
- Previous-generation launch price: ¥528,000 (≈ US$75,000) (for comparison).
- Battery option (BAS): Presenter notes the initial purchase price can be reduced substantially when opting for battery rental (battery-as-service), with quoted lower-cost examples during the media drive.
- Battery: 102 kWh CATL NCM pack (single pack offered at launch).
- Range (CLTC): 635 km (CLTC test cycle).
- Efficiency claim: 16.6 kWh/100 km (manufacturer claim).
- Peak charging (claimed): 600 kW peak; vehicle built on NIO’s NT3 900-volt architecture.
- Powertrain: 520 kW peak power, 700 Nm torque.
- 0–100 km/h: 3.95 seconds (NIO quotes as a sub-4 second SUV).
- Braking (100–0 km/h): 34.9 m (manufacturer quoted).
- Length: 5.28 m — NIO describes it as China’s longest pure-EV SUV.
- Frunk / cargo: 230 L frunk; 547 L luggage with seats up; 1,561 L with third row folded; 3,230 L when second and third rows folded (seven-seat configuration yields up to 3,460 L including frunk).
- Seating: Available as a six-seat (captain chairs) or seven-seat configuration.
- Suspension / chassis: Dual-chamber air suspension with 100 mm travel, CDC (continuous damping control), and “Prime Ride AI” smart chassis features.
- ADAS hardware: Three LiDAR units (roof + two side LiDARs), NIO’s own ADAS chips, and a world-model approach to autonomy.
- Interior tech: Single 48-inch 5K OLED panoramic instrument panel, 15.6-inch 3K AMOLED center display, 38-inch AR head-up display, Nomi 3rd-generation AI assistant, 21.4-inch 3K mini-LED rear entertainment display (Dolby Vision), and a 27-speaker, 2,600 W 8.1.4.2 Dolby Atmos sound system.
- Unique features: Rapid battery swap capability (NIO battery swap stations), electrochromic privacy glass with a full-privacy mode that disables voice assistant, five-zone climate control, onboard fridge (-2 °C to 50 °C).
NIO ES8 Pricing and positioning: an aggressive reset
The most immediate headline is pricing. NIO has intentionally repositioned the NIO ES8 to be significantly more affordable than its predecessor. The new ¥416,800 entry point positions the NIO ES8 well below the previous ES8 launch price and closer to high-equipment rivals, while retaining many of the brand’s high-end features.
NIO also continues to offer flexible ownership models. The battery-as-service (BAS) program remains a strategic lever: by renting the battery separately, buyers can lower upfront cost considerably (the reviewer cited an example pushing the purchase price significantly lower). NIO’s battery-swap network further differentiates ownership economics and practical usability for long-distance travel.
NIO ES8 Powertrain, charging and range: flagship performance with practical efficiency
NIO equips the ES8 with a single 102 kWh CATL NCM pack at launch and claims 635 km on the CLTC cycle. The company cites an efficiency figure of 16.6 kWh/100 km, which is competitive for a vehicle of this size.
Built on NIO’s NT3 900-volt platform, the NIO ES8 supports very high peak charge rates (NIO cites 600 kW), although specific 10–80% charge times were not provided in the media drive. NIO continues to emphasize its battery swap capability, the reviewer noted that a swap can top the battery to 93% in under three minutes at a NIO swap station, an important real-world fast-recharge alternative to ultra-fast DC charging.
Performance figures underline NIO’s intention to blend utility with sports-car pace: 520 kW and 700 Nm culminate in a 0–100 km/h time of 3.95 seconds, and an 80–120 km/h in 1.96 seconds, numbers that challenge many established combustion and high-performance rivals.
NIO ES8 Design and packaging: long, refined, and purposefully premium
At 5.28 m long, the NIO ES8 stakes a claim to being one of China’s longest pure EV SUVs. Styling is described as more sculpted and refined compared with the boxier Envo L90 sibling; the ES8 emphasizes a tailored-suit aesthetic rather than the L90’s tracksuit approach. Key exterior cues include chiseled headlight units, crystal-style daytime running lights, and diamond-cut 22-inch multi-spoke wheels.
Practical touches include:
- Large frunk (230 L) with a 12 V, 180 W power outlet (a welcome addition for camping and utility use).
- Generous cargo flexibility with multiple configurations in six- and seven-seat layouts.
- Air-suspension lowering to simplify loading.
Interior: ET9 flagship DNA condensed into an SUV
NIO has transplanted much of its flagship ET9 interior ethos into the NIO ES8. The cabin benefits include:
- High-quality materials (Nappa leather, real wood trim, metal accents; the reviewer noted a quilted leather surface with ~120,000 stitches).
- A single, continuous 48-inch 5K OLED display stretching across the dash and a 15.6-inch 3K AMOLED centre screen, both driven by a Snapdragon 8295P chipset.
- A 38-inch AR head-up display that overlays navigation cues, pedestrian alerts and lane guidance in the driver’s view.
- Second-row comfort: large captain chairs with heat, ventilation and multi-point massage; a rear 21.4-inch 3K mini-LED screen with Dolby Vision for media; a fridge with a –2 °C to 50 °C range.
- 27-speaker, 2,600 W Dolby Atmos system for immersive audio (driver benefits from two additional headrest speakers).
- Physical controls retained for common functions (massage, ventilation, heat), plus a capacitive multifunction bar and a configurable multi-function control “knob.”
These touches make the ES8’s interior feel notably more premium than the L90 while remaining slightly below the absolute flagship ET9 in some bespoke functions (for example, the NIO ES8 lacks the ET9’s hot-stone seat massage).
NIO ES8 Safety, ADAS and ride tech
NIO has equipped the NIO ES8 with advanced sensing hardware that mirrors its high-end models:
- Three LiDAR units (roof-mounted high-resolution unit plus two side LiDARs). The roof unit is described as a 300-line high-resolution LiDAR.
- NIO’s own AD chips and a “world model” approach to driving data. The ES8 will integrate with NIO’s 4D cloud map, which crowdsources road irregularities and conditions (including a new “slip-seam control” to identify low-grip expansion joints and other hazards).
- A smart matrix “light carpet” headlight system that can highlight hazards on the road surface and selectively shield other road users from glare.
- Brake hardware: new in-house aluminium four-piston calipers; NIO claims impressive stopping distances given the vehicle’s size.
During the media drive, full ADAS functionality was not yet activated on the pre-production vehicles, but hardware parity with the ET9 points to an advanced ADAS rollout on launch.
Driving impressions: big-car comfort with surprising agility
On the road, the ES8’s Prime Ride AI smart chassis, integrating sensors, CDC, and dual-chamber air suspension, produced a composed, controlled ride. The reviewer highlighted
- Excellent suppression of small surface vibrations (notably on gravel).
- Minimal body roll for a vehicle of this mass, supporting passenger comfort.
- A tight turning radius for its size (5.7 m) assisted by a 41° steering angle on the front axle and software-assisted wheel torque vectoring for improved maneuverability.
Despite its length and mass, the ES8 is tuned to balance suppleness and control, delivering a quieter, more refined ride than the comparable Envo L90 in the reviewer’s assessment.
Practical considerations and market positioning
NIO must now position the NIO ES8 between two internal benchmarks: the more affordable Envo L90 (value-focused large SUV) and the ultra-luxury ET9 flagship. The new ES8 appears aimed at buyers seeking near-flagship materials and technology at a significantly more accessible price point.
Cultural and market context in China also influences buyer choice: some consumers prefer MPVs for status and chauffeur use, and NIO acknowledges the ES8 may not fully displace MPVs in that role. Nevertheless, for private owners and families seeking a premium three-row EV with flagship features, the ES8 represents a compelling proposition.
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