NIO Launches the ES8 Five-Seat Version

On July 9, 2026, NIO officially launched the five-seat version of the NIO ES8, its flagship premium SUV. The Executive Premium variant starts at RMB 382,800, or RMB 274,800 with Battery as a Service (BaaS). The Executive Signature variant starts at RMB 422,800, or RMB 314,800 with BaaS. Deliveries of the ES8 Five-Seat Version will begin on July 10.

Users who confirm their orders and purchase the NIO ES8 Five-Seat Version by July 31, 2026 will receive the following benefits: five years of complimentary NOP+ subscription, an interior comfort package valued at RMB 2,680, including a pillow set, plush pile mats, a front trunk protective mat, and a smart fragrance diffuser set. First owners of the ES8 Five-Seat Version will also enjoy six years of complimentary connectivity service, a six-year or 150,000 km vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited-mileage warranty for the powertrain system, and lifetime complimentary roadside assistance. NIO is also offering exclusive benefits for existing users purchasing the ES8 Five-Seat Version: 30,000 bonus points for existing NIO ES8 Founders’ Edition users, 20,000 points for existing users of other NIO models, and 10,000 points for existing ONVO and firefly users.

From pioneering the segment to leading it, the ES8 is the world’s first smart electric vehicle to evolve through three generations. The first-generation ES8 was not only the beginning of NIO, but also a pioneer in China’s premium smart electric vehicle market and the premium three-row battery electric SUV segment. Over the past eight years, more than 210,000 users have placed their trust in the ES8.

In 2025, William Li, NIO’s Founder, Chairman, and CEO, predicted that battery electric vehicles would reach a tipping point where the benefits of the technology would outweigh any inconvenience associated with EV charging. The rapid adoption of large three-row battery electric SUVs was the clearest sign of that transition. Just 275 days after its launch, the third-generation ES8 reached 120,000 deliveries. It ranked first in both the large SUV segment and the segment above RMB 400,000 for six consecutive months, and also topped both segments in retail sales in the first half of 2026, marking the arrival of the battery electric era for large three-row SUVs.

The ES8 has accelerated the electrification of the premium large three-row SUV segment. In the premium five-seat SUV market, however, users have long been waiting for a truly groundbreaking battery electric offering. Today, the ES8 once again raises the bar with the launch of the five-seat version, further expanding the possibilities of premium battery electric SUVs. As William Li said, “Just as the ES8 helped usher premium large three-row SUVs into the battery electric era, the ES8 Five-Seat Version will accelerate the transition of premium large five-seat SUVs to battery electric.”

A Five-Seater Designed for Success

The ES8 Five-Seat Version carries forward NIO’s original design language with a confident and distinctive presence. Signature front fascia elements such as the X-Bar and Double-Dash daytime running lights give the vehicle a bold yet refined character. Seven sky-inspired exterior colors, paired with optional obsidian trim, add sophistication through every detail. Inside, the cabin adopts an open yet enveloping design that creates a welcoming sense of comfort for every occupant. The Skyline screen, triple-layer ambient lighting, the metallic speaker covers, and the wraparound second-row seating area come together to create a cabin that is both elegant and unmistakably distinctive.

Five-Seat SUV Space Reimagined

Through breakthrough engineering and technological innovation, the ES8 Five-Seat Version redefines what a premium five-seat SUV can offer in terms of space. It delivers an industry-leading 7.05 m² of usable interior space, the largest ever in its class, along with a second row that offers exceptional roominess well beyond segment standards. Cargo capacity is equally impressive. A 230L power-operated front trunk comfortably accommodates two 20-inch suitcases and one 14-inch suitcase, while the 1,334L rear trunk, the largest in the segment, provides more than twice the carrying capacity of a conventional large SUV. Even with five occupants on board, the ES8 Five-Seat Version can accommodate 17 carry-on suitcases and four 14-inch suitcases, becoming the first vehicle in its segment to deliver “five occupants, 21 suitcases” capability.

A modular cargo divider system, together with a comprehensive range of purpose-designed accessories, enables more than 128 flexible storage configurations. Whether for golf outings, lure fishing, stargazing, or transforming the cargo area into a spacious mobile dressing room, the ES8 Five-Seat Version adapts effortlessly to a wide variety of lifestyles and travel scenarios. Its Haptex tri-fold parcel shelf and Haptex cargo partition, seamlessly integrated with the second-row cabin, create a level of passenger-and-cargo separation more commonly associated with premium sedans.

Premium Comfort, Elevated Experience

The ES8 Five-Seat Version sets a new benchmark for comfort in the premium five-seat SUV segment. Both front seats feature a zero-gravity mode with 20-way power adjustment and power leg rests, allowing occupants to recline into a relaxed seating position with one tap. In the second row, reclining seats offer a backrest angle of up to 138 degrees, complemented by power leg supports and footrests that provide full-body support for truly relaxing journeys. A smart four-zone climate control system and an electric drawer fridge create a comfortable cabin environment throughout the year, while the air quality system and zero-formaldehyde cabin help ensure cleaner, healthier air for everyone on board. The ES8 Five-Seat Version also features 1.7 m² of electrochromic glass with three tint levels, together with an active road noise cancellation system capable of reducing peak road noise by up to 8 dB, delivering outstanding levels of privacy, serenity, and overall cabin refinement.

Cinematic Experience, Total Immersion

The ES8 Five-Seat Version is equipped with the NIO LYRA 8.1.4.2 Sound System, featuring 27 premium speakers and 2,600 watts of rated output at 10% THD, delivering flagship-level acoustic performance. Powered by Dirac Dimensions, the system transforms conventional stereo sources into high-fidelity immersive audio, while Dirac RRM faithfully recreates the acoustic character of legendary recording studios, world-class live performances, and renowned concert halls. Complementing the audio experience are an industry-leading 15.6-inch dual-layer OLED center display and a segment-leading 21.4-inch automotive-grade mini-LED overhead screen. Together with triple Dolby-certified technologies, they create an immersive audio and visual experience, elevating in-vehicle entertainment to a new level.

Exceptional Performance, Confident Control

Born with NIO’s performance DNA, the ES8 Five-Seat Version delivers outstanding driving dynamics brought by class-leading lightweight engineering. At an average of 260 kg lighter than comparable vehicles in its segment, it lays the foundation for both exceptional handling and energy efficiency. Built on NIO’s advanced full-domain 900V high-voltage architecture, the five-seater combines dual electric drive systems with a 102-kWh long-range battery as standard, delivering exhilarating performance alongside a CLTC range of up to 655 km. Built on NIO's PrimeRide Chassis System, the ES8 Five-Seat Version combines flagship chassis hardware with advanced sensing and control systems, including NIO’s in-house developed Vehicle Motion Control (VMC), to elevate both handling and ride comfort. It features Smart U-Turn, motion sickness relief, lane-level 4D Smart Suspension, and Wet Mode. The newly introduced Multi-Terrain Mode further expands its capabilities across wet roads, sand, water crossings, mud, gravel, and snow, delivering a smoother, more comfortable, and more reassuring driving experience.

Flagship Intelligence, A Generation Ahead

The ES8 Five-Seat Version is powered by NT.Cedar, NIO’s flagship smart system, and features the world’s first 5 nm automotive-grade smart driving chip, NX9031. Together with NIO’s next-generation AI-native digital architecture and NIO OS, its full-domain operating system, the vehicle delivers refreshing intelligence on all fronts. Powered by NOMI Intelligence, NOMI continues to evolve into an even more capable AI companion. At the same time, the ES8 Five-Seat Version is built with end-to-end security, ensuring a smarter experience that is more secure, reliable, and trustworthy.

Comprehensive Safety, All-Around Protection

Through innovations in the smart system and vehicle architecture, the ES8 Five-Seat Version seamlessly integrates active and passive safety. The ES8 has earned top ratings across all five categories in C-IASI testing, including multiple G+ ratings, and successfully completed a triple-direction consecutive collision challenge at 100 km/h. A robust occupant safety cage featuring a six-longitudinal, 10-transverse, and eight-vertical structure, together with nine airbags, provides comprehensive occupant protection. Additional innovations, including automatic pull-over following a tire blowout at high speed and an in-car Guardian Mode powered by foundation models, further enhance safety in complex driving scenarios. The High-Definition Projection Lights (HDPL) boast an ultra-wide light carpet spanning up to six lanes, delivering industry-leading enhanced illumination. Working closely with the smart driving system, the S-shaped light carpet visually communicates the vehicle’s intended lane changes and trajectory, enhancing safety for everyone on the road.

Flagship Smart Driving, Reliable and Efficient

The ES8 Five-Seat Version boasts NIO’s flagship smart driving hardware and software architecture. The Cedar AQUILA Super Sensing is equipped with 31 high-performance sensors to provide comprehensive 360-degree, all-weather perception. Powered by the industry-leading NIO WorldModel (NWM) and a training framework combining closed-loop reinforcement learning with supervised fine-tuning, the system continuously evolves for increasingly capable smart driving experiences. Point-to-Point Navigate on Pilot Plus (NOP+) delivers exceptionally smooth vehicle control, precise lane selection, and intelligent interaction with surrounding traffic. Intelligent Parking Assist allows users to choose left- or right-offset parking according to the parking space. Intent-Aware Wayfinding, which can be activated from virtually anywhere in a parking lot, automatically guides a vehicle to pass gates, climb ramps, and exit the facility, and seamlessly transitions to campus roaming and urban navigation.

The NIO ES8 Five-Seat Version offers a compelling upgrade for owners of premium gasoline SUVs and luxury sedans alike, delivering more refined, efficient, and human-centric mobility across every journey. With the ES9, ES8, and ES8 Five-Seat Version, NIO has established a comprehensive premium SUV lineup spanning premium five-seater SUVs, premium three-row SUVs, and executive flagship SUVs. Backed by industry-leading technological innovation and a forward-looking product portfolio, NIO continues to usher the large SUV segment into the battery electric era.