Nio's ES8, the brand's flagship large SUV, has added a five-seat layout to its lineup, and a new review from Chinese outlet Autohome says the model offers a compelling mix of space, luxury, and value—especially when bought under Nio's battery rental plan. The five-seat version starts at 274,800 yuan (about $38,700) with a battery subscription, undercutting the six-seat variant.
Design and cabin: big, bold, and premium
The ES8 measures 5,280 mm long with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, making it one of the largest SUVs in its class in China. The five-seat version, added in July, keeps the same exterior dimensions as the six-seater. New for the whole range are a returning Moon Silver paint option, a 5,800-yuan (about $817) dark chrome package, and two new wheel designs. Autohome's reviewer, however, found the new wheels less fitting for the ES8's stately character.
Inside, the ES8 retains its distinctive "skyline" screen that spans the dashboard, featuring a 15.6-inch, 3K-resolution central display with rounded corners. A 38-inch head-up display projects information far ahead, reducing driver eye strain. The cabin feels premium, with soft quilted seats, and all four seats come standard with heating, ventilation, and massage—the front passenger seat even has more massage points than the driver's.
Rear passengers get a "quasi-zero-gravity" seat, which Autohome notes is not a true zero-gravity seat because the cushion stays flat, but it still offers a long leg rest and a footrest behind the passenger seat. The rear also includes a power-operated refrigerator with a -2°C to 55°C range, a 21.4-inch ceiling screen, and a 27-speaker audio system. A right-side table is standard; the left-side one costs 4,800 yuan (about $676). The low-spec model has a manual sunshade, while the high-spec gets electrochromic privacy glass (a 20,000-yuan option on the base car).
Space, performance, and range
Space is the ES8's forte. A 186-cm-tall reviewer had over two fists of headroom in the front, and rear legroom allowed easy leg crossing. The trunk holds 11 carry-on suitcases in normal use, 25 with the rear seats folded, plus two more in the front trunk. There is no glovebox, but door bins and under-console storage are generous.
Power comes from dual electric motors delivering 520 kW (about 697 hp) and 700 Nm. In Comfort mode, the throttle and brake are well-calibrated, with a relaxed response that still delivers strong acceleration when needed. The air suspension offers adjustable height and firmness; Autohome recommends setting it to standard firmness and low height to reduce body movement. The cabin is quiet, with minimal road and tire noise. One omission: the ES8 lacks rear-wheel steering, which the reviewer says would help given the car's size, though a "agile turn" function brakes the inside rear wheel to tighten the turning circle.
The ES8 handles light off-road terrain well, with an adaptive terrain mode and a raised suspension, but the large wheels and road tires are vulnerable on rocky paths. All versions use a 102 kWh ternary lithium battery. The five-seat model has a CLTC range of 655 km (about 524-557 km WLTP est.), 20 km more than the six- and seven-seat versions. In a highway test at an average speed of 101.4 km/h, the car consumed 22.3 kWh/100 km, yielding a real-world range of about 400 km. Fast charging from 22% to 80% took 20 minutes on a 600 kW charger, with power holding at 160-180 kW.
Autohome concludes that the five-seat ES8, especially with battery rental, offers a rare combination of luxury, space, and features at its price point. The difference between the two trims—40,000 yuan (about $5,634)—covers larger wheels, pixel headlights, smart dimming glass, and the NOMI assistant, but core comfort and safety features are identical.
