Have you ever imagined sitting in a car bigger than many apartments like you would in a luxury club, while electric motors catapult you forward faster than your last diet attempt? The third-generation NIO ES8 2025, officially unveiled on September 20, 2025 at the NIO Day event in Hangzhou, is here to convince you: China is no longer just a factory, but a laboratory for dreams on four wheels. If you thought electric SUVs were only for sandal-wearing environmentalists, this beast is waiting for you with a smile – and a punch of 520 kW of power. Ironic, right? At a time when everyone is talking about small electric vehicles, NIO says: “Let it be big!”
Before we dive into the heart of this behemoth, some context to understand why NIO ES8 it is not an accidental invention, but rather an evolution. NIO, founded in 2014 in Shanghai, began as a startup with one goal: to make electric cars so fun that you forget about gasoline. The first generation ES8 was released in 2018 as NIO's first mass-produced model - at the time it had a 70 or 84 kWh battery, acceleration to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and a range of around 500 km according to the WLTP standard. It was revolutionary, but still with childhood ailments, such as slower charging. Let's see how we got to the model - NIO ES8 2025.
Second generation from 2023 it switched to the NT 2.0 platform, adding 480 kW of power, 850 Nm of torque and a range of up to 605 km with a 100 kWh battery. Now, the third generation on the NT 3.0 platform – the same as NIO’s flagship ET9 – is a real masterpiece. Revealed in June 2025 via Chinese MIIT documents and unveiled on September 20, 2025, the ES8 became the largest all-electric SUV in China. It is 5280 mm long, 2010 mm wide, 1800 mm high, with a wheelbase of 3130 mm, weighs 2630 kg and offers 6 or 7 seat configurations (2+2+2 or 2+3+2). This is not a car; it is a house on wheels that you can park in the garage.
Power and performance: as if the Tesla Model X had been put on steroids
Let's look under the hood – or rather, under the battery. NIO ES8 powered by a dual electric motor with four-wheel drive, which together develop 520 kW (697 hp) power and 700 Nm of torque (516 lb-ft). This means acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h 3.97 seconds and maximum speed 220 km/h (137 mph) – enough to outrun Porsches while reading the newspaper. Ironic, right? A Chinese SUV that's faster than some supercars, yet roomy enough for an entire football team and their gear.
Battery? This is where the serious electrical magic comes in. It's standard 102 kWh NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery from CATL or CALB, offering range 635 km according to the CLTC standard (about 500 km in the real world, as shown by highway tests at 120 km/h with a range of 482 km and consumption of 19.8 kWh/100 km). Future versions promise a 120 kWh 5C battery for even longer adventures. Charging? On a 900V platform, it reaches a peak of 925V, which allows for fast charging – up to 600 kW, with 5 minutes for 250 km of range. And if you're lazy, like me, NIO's battery swap system (Battery as a Service) is ingenious: you can swap the battery to full in 3 minutes, without waiting in line for coffee. Average consumption? 16.6 kWh/100 km, which is better than many competitors.
Driving performance is where the ES8 really shines. With 41-degree front wheel steering angle has a turning radius of only 5.7m – small as in compact hatchbacks, not in a 5.3-meter giant. Add more intelligent mode for wet surfaces, which adjusts the grip, and full adaptive chassis with dual air suspension that absorbs bumps like you're riding on a cloud. Users praise the comfort in tests: "It's like the BMW X3 lost weight and gained wings," a true driver on the X platform. Even on slippery roads, he behaves like a true gentleman – without slipping into drama.
Interior and technology: luxury that will spoil you – NIO ES8 2025
Step inside and forget about the outside world. NIO ES8 has 82.5% space utilization, which means that the third row is not torture, but a real sofa for adults. The seats are made of Nappa leather with 20-way adjustments up front, including a 325mm footrest in zero gravity mode – one touch and you’re in a space cabin. In the back? Power-adjustable seats that automatically adjust for watching a movie in theatrical mode, where the lights synchronize with the screen, the privacy glass darkens, and the Dirac RRM sound system (23 speakers, 2040 W) surrounds you like in an IMAX theater. "This isn't a car, this is your new living room on wheels," says one of the test drivers.
Technology? Oh, my dear. 15.6-inch central touch screen and 38-inch AR HUD (augmented reality display for navigation) project arrows directly onto the road. Powered by NIO-v chip Shenji NX9031 and the Qualcomm 8295 processor – together they enable 65 active assistance functions, including NOP+ (Navigate on Pilot Plus) for autonomous driving. Three LiDAR sensors (one on the roof, two in the front), 4D radar imaging and cameras for a 360-degree view. Add more NOMI – an artificially intelligent companion who talks like a friend (in Slovenian? Not yet, but soon). Safety? 11 airbags, 72 crash tests and a five-star Euro NCAP rating from previous generations, which they are still upgrading.
Exterior? Smooth lines, aerodynamic coefficient of 0.25, LED headlights with technology Smart Matrix and LiDAR for night vision. Sky-inspired colors: from Arctic black to green nebulose. And those invisible rear wiper? An ingenious trick that you only notice when it starts working.
Price and Availability: Worth Every Euro (or Yuan) – NIO ES8 2025
Starting price? From RMB 406,800 (approximately EUR 57,000 or USD 60,000) for the Executive Premium version or RMB 308,800 (EUR 43,000) with a BaaS battery subscription. This is competitive in the luxury segment – cheaper than the Tesla Model X, but with more space and innovation. In Europe? NIO is aiming for an arrival in the next few years, but for now it is a Chinese delicacy with global potential. Pre-orders started on August 21, 2025, and deliveries on September 21 – and lo and behold, there were more than 47,000 orders in a few days, with waiting times of up to 26 weeks! “NIO’s 2025 losses may be reduced due to strong ES8 sales,” WSJ reports. NIO CEO William Li promises more than 40,000 units this year, otherwise there will be compensation for delays.
Conclusion: Why the NIO ES8 is the winner you need
NIO ES8 is not just a car, but a manifesto for what electric mobility should look like. With power that squeezes you into the seat, room for the whole family (and the dog), and innovations like battery swapping that eliminate everyday frustrations, this SUV finds the positive in everything – even traffic jams, where you can relax in your own cinema on wheels. Ironic, right? When everyone is talking about small electric vehicles, NIO says: “Let it be big!” And it is big – in terms of value, not just size. Unfortunately, only in China for once, at Chinese-ridiculous prices.
