Nio has begun presales for the new ES8 large SUV in China

Nio unveiled the third-generation ES8 at an event held today in Chengdu, Sichuan, and highlighted its product and technological features. Presale prices start at 416,800 yuan ($58,050) 

The third-generation ES8 has been upgraded in size and positioning compared with the previous generation, moving from the mid-to-large SUV segment to the large SUV category. Nio unveiled the all-new ES8 in China at an event held today in Chengdu, Sichuan, and highlighted its product and technological features. The large SUV has begun pre-sales, with official launch and deliveries set to begin at Nio Day 2025 in late September. Its dimensions are 5,280 mm in length, 2,010 mm in width (excluding mirrors), and 1,800 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,130 mm. This represents increases of 181 mm, 21 mm, 50 mm, and 60 mm, respectively. Both six-seat (2+2+2) and seven-seat (2+3+2) layouts are available. 

The third-generation ES8 adopts a new design language, with a front face that differs significantly from the first and second generations of the SUV, and introduces a large frunk for the first time. In China's EV market, the frunk is important as it is seen as a sign of a vehicle's high component integration due to advanced technologies. The cabin is redesigned with multiple colour options and includes a 48-inch “Skyline display”, a 16.4-inch AMOLED centre screen, and a 38-inch AR-HUD with blind spot projection. 

The SUV has a three-spoke steering wheel, stalk-mounted gear selector, dual wireless phone chargers, and piezoelectric ceramic micro-motion buttons. The six-seat version features second-row seats that recline up to 151 degrees and support leg extension heating. All rows include seat heating, while selected seats offer ventilation. 

Additional interior features include five-zone climate control, folding tables, a refrigerator, a 27-speaker, 2,600-watt Dolby Atmos audio system, and a 21.4-inch rear ceiling-mounted display with 3K resolution. Cargo space is 547 litres, expandable to 3,230 litres with seats folded, with an additional 230-litre front trunk. 

The model is built on a 900-volt high-voltage platform, with a maximum voltage of 925 volts. The ES8 uses a dual-motor four-wheel-drive system on a 900-volt architecture, shared with the Nio ET9. The front induction motor delivers 180 kW and 300 Nm, while the rear permanent magnet synchronous motor produces 340 kW and 400 Nm. Combined output is 520 kW with 700 Nm of torque, enabling 0–100 km/h acceleration in 3.97 seconds. Its 100-kWh battery pack provides a CLTC range of 635 kilometers and supports a 4C charging rate. The model will have a 120-kWh battery pack option in the future, which supports 5C fast charging. 

The SUV can achieve 250 kilometers of range with a 5-minute charge and a 3-minute quick battery swap to a fully charged battery. The ES8 features dual-chamber air suspension adjustable by ±50 mm. Standard ground clearance is 165 mm, with a maximum wading depth of 650 mm. Easy Entry mode lowers the vehicle by 50 mm for boarding, and Easy Load mode lowers the suspension when opening the trunk. 

The updated ES8 has a starting price of 416,800 yuan ($58,050) in the pre-sales, including the battery pack. This represents a reduction of 139,200 yuan, or 25.04 percent, compared to the older ES8 with a 100-kWh pack, which had a starting price of 556,000 yuan. Under the BaaS (Battery as a Service) battery rental purchase plan, the starting price for the third-generation ES8 is 308,800 yuan, lower than the 428,000 yuan BaaS starting price for the older ES8 with the same 100-kWh battery pack. The second-generation ES8 came standard with a 75-kWh battery pack, with a starting price of 498,000 yuan including the battery, and a starting price of 428,000 yuan under the BaaS plan. Even compared to the starting price of its predecessor equipped with a 75-kWh battery pack, the starting price of the third-generation ES8 has decreased by 81,200 yuan, or 16.31 percent. 

Nio offers three trims for the third-generation ES8: the six-seat Executive Luxury Edition, the seven-seat Executive Luxury Edition, and the six-seat Executive Signature Edition. The starting prices, including the 100-kWh battery pack, are 416,800 yuan, 416,800 yuan, and 456,800 yuan, respectively. Under the BaaS scheme, the starting prices for these three variants are 308,800 yuan, 308,800 yuan, and 348,800 yuan, respectively, which are even lower than the starting price of 339,000 yuan for Tesla's Model Y L six-seat SUV in China. It is worth noting that these are only pre-sales prices, and the official launch prices could be further reduced.