Nio has confirmed that demonstration vehicles of the new ES8 SUV have begun heading to dealerships across China, as reported by D-Auto. Built on the company’s new NT3.0 platform, the model will make its public debut and begin pre-sales on August 21, with an official launch at Nio Day 2025 in late September. The current second-generation ES8 is priced from 498,000 yuan (approx. 68,500 USD).
The redesigned ES8 updates exterior details while retaining Nio’s family design language. It features sharper front angles, two-section daytime running lights, split headlights, repositioned air vents below the headlights, and a reshaped lower grille. Side changes include flush door handles, straight lower window trim, and new multi-spoke alloy wheels. At the rear, the light bar is uniform in width, with triple-layered lighting elements, a hidden rear wiper, and privacy glass. The model is expected to adopt a front trunk design similar to the Onvo L90.
The SUV measures 5,280 mm in length, 2,010 mm in width, and 1,800 mm in height, with a 3,130 mm wheelbase. Compared to the current model, it is longer by 181 mm, wider by 21 mm, taller by 50 mm, and has a 60 mm longer wheelbase. Nio will offer six-seat (2+2+2) and seven-seat (2+3+2) layouts, with the six-seat version confirmed in official images. This positions the ES8 among China’s largest pure electric SUVs.
The ES8 is equipped with three lidar sensors – one roof-mounted and two on the front fenders – plus 4D imaging radar. It uses Nio’s NX9031 autonomous driving chip and incorporates the Nio World Model (NWM), a hardware configuration similar to that of the ET9.
Inside, the cabin features a large floating centre screen, a full-width Hypervision display, and a three-spoke steering wheel. Multiple interior themes are available, including a red interior extending to the trunk and third-row area. The cabin uses 52 m² of soft-touch materials, seats have over 120,000 embroidered stitches, and features include aviation-style toggle switches, “Cosmic Orbit” speaker grilles, a ceiling-mounted rear screen, and dual sunroofs.
Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system delivering 520 kW (697 hp), paired with a 102 kWh ternary lithium battery from CATL. The SUV has a CLTC-rated range of 635 km and supports Nio’s 900V ultra-fast charging platform, with 600 kW peak power, 5C charging for 250 km in five minutes, and full battery swaps in approximately three minutes.
The ES8 remains Nio’s flagship SUV, competing with the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and Aito M8 EV. July sales recorded 1,090 units delivered.
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