NIO has started pre-sales for its new flagship SUV ES9

The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker opened pre-sales in China for the ES9 on April 9, 2026, revealing pricing that starts at 528,000 yuan ($77,230) including the battery pack: the price is 31% lower than the ET9's current starting price of 768,000 yuan ($112,350). The official launch of the ES9 is expected in late May, with initial customer deliveries slated to begin on June 1 

NIO ES9 launch event

NIO opened pre-sales for its new flagship EV SUV, the ES9, on April 9, 2026, at a technology launch event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, with aggressive pricing, seeking to replicate the success of the ES8 in the higher-end market. The NIO ES9 is a long-anticipated flagship SUV that inherits most of the technologies and features introduced during the launch of the NIO ET9 sedan. 

NIO started pre-sales at a price significantly lower than the ET9 sedan equipped with similar technologies. The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker announced a pre-sales starting price of 528,000 yuan ($77,230) including the battery pack. The price is 31% lower than the ET9's current starting price of 768,000 yuan ($112,350). 

At 5,365 mm long, 2,029 mm wide, and 1,870 mm high on a 3,250 mm wheelbase, the ES9 is only 17 mm shorter than a Cadillac Escalade but carries a 179 mm longer wheelbase. It surpasses the ES8 to become China's largest mass-produced battery-electric SUV. Combined with a 1.28 m shoulder line and 2.68 m chrome trim, the vehicle sets a new benchmark for size within NIO’s SUV lineup. For reference, the Li Auto MEGA measures 5350/1965/1850 mm. 

NIO ES9

These measurements exceed even those of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan (5341 mm × 2000 mm × 1837 mm), making the ES9 significantly larger than this ultra-luxury benchmark. There are six seats inside the car with a 2+2+2 layout and an optional seven-seat configuration. As an SUV, the ES9 exceeds even a large MPV in overall dimensions. The ES9 rides on massive 23-inch wheels. 

Despite being a massive SUV, the Nio ES9 boasts a considerably low drag coefficient of 0.264 Cd. For clarity, a smaller Porsche Cayenne Electric has a drag coefficient of 0.25 Cd. The lower Cd means a lower energy consumption and quieter rides on highways. 

The increased size translates directly into interior space: longitudinal cabin space reaches 2805 mm; second-row legroom extends to 1520 mm; third-row headroom is 1002 mm; second-row headroom is 1096 mm—all claimed to be class-leading. In terms of storage, while the ONVO L90 was described as accommodating “six passengers and 10 suitcases,” the ES9 raises that to “six passengers and 13 suitcases.” Every dimension related to space is clearly engineered toward best-in-class performance, making it one of the few SUVs to rival mainstream MPVs in practicality. 

NIO ES9

To enhance its visual presence, NIO equips the ES9 with crystal lighting elements, high-definition projection headlights, and dark-gold exterior trim. Visually, the Horizon Special Edition incorporates “landscape embroidery” across 12 interior locations, reflecting traditional Chinese cultural motifs. 

The cabin also features over 1 m² of natural “Maple Shadow” wood trim, with each unit showcasing unique grain patterns. Additionally, the “Sky Island” central axis design from the ET9 is integrated into the ES9’s interior, spanning 1.5 m² to create a sense of spatial separation. 

The core focus lies on the second-row “zero-gravity executive seats,” extending up to 2.3 meters when fully deployed, with class-leading dimensions across backrest, armrest, and cushion. Each seat includes a foldable 1-meter executive table, along with 20-point foot massage and 22-point full-body massage functions. To align with traditional user preferences, the cabin features 137 physical buttons. An executive center console further enhances the rear cabin’s functionality, complemented by an optional magnetic tea table. 

Compared with the third-generation ES8, the ES9 incorporates more elements inspired by traditional Chinese aesthetics, blending cultural symbolism with advanced automotive technology. According to NIO co-founder Qin Lihong, the design philosophy aims for “luxurious but not excessive, prestigious but not ostentatious.” The Nio ES9’s interior adopts Nappa leather and maple wood. The automaker brags that 100% of surfaces inside the car are soft-touch. The ES9 Horizon Special Edition takes it further by adding real wood inlaid with aluminum trim, and a rhodium-gold badge inlaid with natural gemstones inside the car. 

Inside, The ES9 adopts a 15.6-inch floating screen. It is complemented by a 48-inch thin screen that crosses the center console. Another highlight of the ES9 is an augmented reality head-up display with a projection diameter of 130 inches at 13 meters focus. Of course, the ES9 adopts the Nomi Mate voice assistant with an orb-like avatar sitting on the center console. 

The vehicle features a 47-speaker audio system using premium materials such as carbon fiber, Kevlar, aluminum, and diamond, delivering 3020W output in a 9.2.4.8 configuration—branded as Lyra. Privacy is another key pillar. The ES9 introduces array-based LC smart dimming windows, with 11 adjustable zones per window, capable of fully blocking external light. A dedicated privacy button enables system-wide camera shutdown, sound isolation, and light blocking, creating a secure in-cabin environment. 

The NIO ES9 boasts a standard trunk capacity of 477 liters. At the same time, it has a 123-liter hidden storage compartment under the trunk’s floor. By folding down the third-row seats, the car’s user can expand the trunk volume to 1,586 liters. The car could be automatically lowered by 35 mm to ease the loading process. Another storage compartment hides under the hood of the ES9. There is a frunk for 216 liters with a static load capacity of up to 100 kg and a dynamic capacity of 50 kg. It is equipped with a charging port and supports 11 opening methods, including gestures, tapping, kicking, voice commands, and pressing the car’s logo. 

The air suspension also automatically lowers the car when the hood is up. On the technology front, the ES9 integrates the NX9031 chip (dual chips on higher trims), three LiDAR units, 4D imaging radar, and a total of 31 sensors, enabling 350° perception coverage. It runs NIO’s World Model (NWM) with closed-loop reinforcement learning, supporting advanced functions such as model-based AES and AEB, point-to-point navigation assistance, and intelligent parking. 

Chassis hardware includes standard rear-wheel steering and steer-by-wire, while higher trims feature SkyRide fully active suspension with up to 60 mm vertical travel. These systems also enable an intelligent all-terrain mode, adapting to conditions such as water crossings, desert terrain, and icy roads. Rear-wheel steering technology gives this large SUV the turning radius and agility of the Firefly EV, which is NIO's smallest model with a length of just 4,003 mm. 

The NIO ES9 adopts a 900V high-voltage system. As a result, it boasts a dual-motor AWD with a peak power output of 520 kW (697 hp) and a combined torque of 700 Nm. This model speeds up to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The ES9 adopts a 102 kWh ternary NMC battery pack for 620 km of range. It supports fast DC charging and battery swap technologies. 

The new model is offered in three variants, with pre-sale pricing as follows: Executive Luxury Edition: 528,000 yuan ($77,230) with battery / 420,000 yuan ($61,470) under BaaS (battery as a service) rental program; Executive Signature Edition: 588,000 yuan ($85,950) with battery / 480,000 yuan ($70,260) under BaaS; Horizon Special Edition: 658,000 yuan ($96,330) with battery / 550,000 yuan ($80,500) under BaaS. This time, the ES9 standardizes features such as steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering, and the Lyra 9.2.4.8 audio system across all variants. 

The Executive Signature Edition adds SkyRide fully active suspension, an additional NX9031 chip, and upgraded intelligent privacy dimming windows. The top-tier Horizon Special Edition further includes diamond tweeters, exclusive design elements and color schemes, as well as bespoke embroidery themes. NIO plans to officially showcase the flagship model to the public at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show opening later this month. 

NIO is betting that its combination of aggressive BaaS pricing, a mature battery-swap network, and ET9-derived technology can pull buyers away from both domestic rivals and traditional combustion-powered options like the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. With its unique energy replenishment model, strong luxury positioning, and flagship-level specifications. 

NIO has made a decisive push into the large SUV segment in 2026. The model is described as the culmination of “11 years of innovation.” In addition to the ES9, NIO has a busy year ahead, with plans to introduce the Onvo L80 crossover in late April, likely at the Beijing Auto Show 2026 (Auto China 2026). Other new models slated for 2026 include refreshed versions of existing vehicles, such as an updated ES7, a LiDAR-equipped version of the Onvo L90, and a high-power variant of the Firefly. 

The 19th Beijing International Automobile Exhibition will take place from April 24 to May 3 at the China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Hall) and the Capital International Exhibition Center of China (CIECC) in Beijing. Including outdoor exhibition areas, the total exhibition space will reach a record 380,000 square meters, the event's organizers previously said. 

The CIECC -- adjacent to the Shunyi New Venue -- has seen the completion of its second phase of construction and operational by February 2025, the organizers said. It has a total of nine pavilions, each with an area of about 22,000 square meters, for a total pavilion area of 250,000 square meters. April 24 and 25 are designated as press days, exclusively hosting domestic and foreign journalists. 

April 26-27 are professional visitor days. The general public can visit from April 28 to May 3. The Beijing auto show began in 1990 and is held every two years. At the 2024 Beijing auto show, 117 models made their global debuts, including 30 from multinational companies and 41 concept cars, according to the event's organizers. A total of 892,000 visitors came to the show during the 10-day event, with 23,000 media journalists and industry personnel.