During our visit to Shanghai, we were able to discover the Nio ET5 and its wagon version, the Nio ET5 Touring. An electric car that impressed us on many aspects but suffers from a major flaw.
China is like a Kinder Surprise. You never know what you’re going to find. This was the case with Nio. Passing by a brand dealership by chance, it was hard not to stop and showcase the Nio ET5, offered in both sedan and a very interesting wagon version.
As a reminder, Nio is one of those Chinese neo-manufacturers that have made electric vehicles their specialty. After starting in Formula E in the early 2010s, the manufacturer then ventured into the supercar segment with the Nio EP9 before launching a new “mainstream” range. The brand’s unique feature is a system of removable batteries associated with dedicated stations allowing for a quick “fill-up.”
Nio ET5 Style: A true Tesla Model 3 rival
Although not yet available in Europe, the Nio ET5 is not really new. Introduced at the end of 2021, the Chinese manufacturer’s sedan is already widely distributed in the Chinese market, and we have seen many of them on the streets of Shanghai.
Stylistically, Nio’s electric vehicle is easily recognizable thanks to a very specific front end, marked by very sleek headlights. This sets it apart in the Chinese market where all electric cars tend to look alike. In terms of size, it is more compact than a Xiaomi SU7 or a Huawei Luxeed S7. With a length of 4.79 m, a width of 1.96 m, and a height of 1.5 m, the Nio ET5 is more in line with a Tesla Model 3, which measures 4.72 m in length. A special mention for the door openings. Integrated into the body, they open with a tactile command.
But the most interesting aspect is the presence of a “wagon” version, a segment where electric cars are still rare. Introduced in 2023, this Nio ET5 Touring shares the same dimensions as the sedan but with a naturally less sleek profile. The big difference lies in the trunk. While the sedan has 385 liters of space, the Touring version offers 450 liters. This is good, but far from the Model 3, which reaches impressive heights with 682 liters! Both versions of the Nio ET5 are equipped with a tailgate, making it more convenient to transport larger items.
In the rear seats, there is no difference between the two versions. With a wheelbase of 2.88, the Nio ET5 and Nio ET5 Touring offer royal comfort with three seats and no central tunnel. The showcased versions also have two USB-C ports.
“Hello Tamagoshi!”
With its purple interior, the Nio ET5 Touring is a visual delight
Inside, the atmosphere is rather premium. Once seated behind the wheel, the seat automatically adjusts to the pre-recorded position. The onboard welcome also includes a small circular screen that greets us with a few words (in Chinese, of course) and a nice smile. It’s a bit reminiscent of Tamagoshi, those virtual pets that were a huge hit in the late 90s. Named NOMI, it dances or smiles according to its mood (although it doesn’t need to be fed and apparently cannot die) while serving as a voice assistant. A funny yet perfectly useless little companion that adds a touch of humanity. An interesting approach as (real) AIs are expected to enter our cars in the coming years.
Technical Details: All-wheel drive and two available batteries
As all the technical information is already listed in our electric car guide, we won’t dwell on the capabilities of the Nio vehicle.
It is currently available in two battery versions, 75 or 100 kWh, with respective WLTP cycle ranges of 456 and 590 km (slightly less for the Touring version). It features all-wheel drive with two motors: the front motor delivers 150 kW and 280 Nm, while the rear one offers 210 kW and 420 Nm. Combined, the power reaches 360 kW for a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.3 seconds in Sport+ mode.
For charging, both models have an 11 kW AC charger. For fast DC charging, the “Long Range” version goes up to 180 kW, while the base version reaches 140 kW. As mentioned earlier, Nio also offers a battery exchange service with dedicated stations. To avail of this service, one must subscribe to a plan that separates the battery from the rest of the car (similar to early Renault ZOE models). We explain this further at the end of the article!
| Version | Base | Long range |
| Battery | 75 kWh | 100 kWh |
| WLTP Range | 456 km | 590 km |
| Power | 360 kW | 360 kW |
| Torque | 700 Nm | 700 Nm |
| AC Charge | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| DC Charge | 140 kW | 180 kW |
It should be noted that the manufacturer has also announced a third battery at the beginning of the year. Rising to 150 kWh, it increases the range to over 1000 km (in the Chinese cycle). However, this version does not seem to be available on the Chinese market at the moment.
The Nio ET5 in its Touring version
An Insane Price for Europe
While Nio has been announcing its intent to enter the European market for some time now, it is clear that this arrival is very gradual. Currently, the manufacturer is only present in certain European markets including Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands. France is not yet included.
As for the price, it’s a bit of a shock. Contrary to the “affordable” reputation of Chinese cars, this Nio ET5 is definitely not cheap! In the German market*, it is listed at €47,500 without options, with the Touring version also at the same price. Moreover, this price does not include the battery, which can be either purchased or leased.
If bought, it will cost an additional €12,000 for the 75 kWh version and €21,000 for the 100 kWh model, making the total prices €59,500 and €68,500 respectively. If you opt for the leasing option, you will need to pay €169 and €289 per month respectively. While the cost is high, this plan allows access to the brand’s battery exchange network, which consists of around thirty stations in Europe, distributed in the countries where it is present.
For comparison, a Tesla Model 3 is priced at €48,990 for the long-range all-wheel-drive version. This substantial price difference may hinder the development of the Nio ET5 in the European market. What a pity…
* If you want more details on the equipment, here is the reference document (in German)