NIO ES8 five-seat electric SUV debuts with 655 km range and lower price

The Chinese brand expands its flagship battery-powered lineup with a roomier cabin layout, lower entry cost, generous luggage capacity and advanced driver-assistance technology 

NIO is broadening the appeal of the ES8 with a new five-seat version, designed to make its large electric SUV more versatile and more competitive in the premium segment. The Chinese automaker officially unveiled the model on Thursday, with two trims available and deliveries scheduled to begin on July 10.

The Executive Luxury version starts at 382,800 yuan, equivalent to around $56,340, when purchased with the battery included. Under NIO’s BaaS battery-subscription program, the price drops to 274,800 yuan. The higher-spec Executive Signature is priced from 422,800 yuan, or 314,800 yuan with the battery rented separately.

That pricing places the five-seat model 24,000 yuan, or 5.9 percent, below the entry price of the third-generation three-row ES8, which starts at 406,800 yuan. It is a strategic move that reflects market expectations and gives NIO a stronger proposition for buyers seeking a large electric SUV without the need for seven-seat practicality.

The new ES8 retains flagship proportions, measuring 5,280 millimeters long, 2,010 millimeters wide and 1,800 millimeters tall, with a 3,130-millimeter wheelbase that is slightly shorter than the 3,250 millimeters of the three-row variant. By removing the third row, however, Nio has freed up useful space and repositioned the model around comfort and cargo capacity.

The front trunk offers 230 liters of storage, while the rear cargo area provides 1,334 liters. With the second-row seats folded, maximum capacity rises to 3,084 liters. According to NIO, this is the largest rear cargo volume in the industry, offering more than twice the space of conventional full-size SUVs.

Inside, the cabin leans into business-class comfort. The second row features two reclining seats with 16-point massage, heating and ventilation, while the driver and front passenger get aircraft-inspired zero-gravity seats with 20-way adjustment.

On the technical side, the five-seat ES8 is built on a 900-volt architecture and uses a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. Total output is rated at 520 kilowatts, or 697 horsepower, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds. A 102 kWh battery is standard, with a CLTC-rated range of 655 kilometers.

The digital package includes a new version of Nio’s Cedar system and the company’s in-house Shenji NX9031 chip for intelligent driving. Paired with the NIO World Model, the system supports point-to-point navigation assistance, a key element in the brand’s strategy to strengthen the technology positioning of its lineup.