Five-seat NIO ES8 launches in China with 655 km range and a 1,334-litre trunk

NIO launched the five-seat ES8 in China on July 9, 2026, and began customer deliveries on July 10. It is based on the third-generation flagship SUV but replaces the third row with a conventional rear bench and a much larger cargo area.

This is more than a seat-delete option. NIO is targeting owners of premium saloons and petrol SUVs who want generous second-row comfort, quietness and luggage capacity but have no need for occasional third-row seats. The starting price is also RMB 24,000, or 5.9%, below the entry three-row ES8.

The body is still substantial at 5,280 mm long, 2,010 mm wide and 1,800 mm high, with a 3,130 mm wheelbase. A claimed 5.7-metre turning radius is therefore a useful everyday specification rather than a novelty. The NIO ES8 catalog page on AutoCore connects the launch story with the model data already available on the site.

The most obvious five-seat benefit is behind the rear bench. The power-operated front trunk holds 230 litres; NIO says it takes two 20-inch suitcases and one 14-inch case. The rear trunk offers 1,334 litres, rising to a maximum 3,084 litres when the second row is folded.

A 40:20:40 split lets owners carry long items while retaining two rear seats. A movable load floor, modular divider and accessory system support more than 128 storage layouts. There is 873 litres beneath the parcel shelf and a separate 13-litre concealed compartment for valuables.

NIO describes the packaging as room for five people and 21 carry-on cases. That is a manufacturer claim, but the underlying volumes are exceptional for a five-seat electric SUV. The frunk also has a low sill, opens through a piezoelectric ceramic badge and includes a 12 V outlet.

The powertrain pairs a 180 kW front induction motor with a 340 kW rear permanent-magnet motor. Combined output is 520 kW, equivalent to 697 hp, with 700 Nm of torque. All-wheel drive takes the ES8 from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.97 seconds.

A 102 kWh battery is standard and the official range is 655 km CLTC. The Chinese laboratory cycle is generally more optimistic than WLTP, so that figure should not be treated as a motorway or cold-weather promise. Independent tests of this exact five-seat version have yet to appear.

The 900 V architecture sits above NIO's PrimeRide chassis, which combines five-link suspension at both ends, dual-chamber air springs and continuously variable dampers. Ride height adjustment spans 100 mm, while the 4D system can prepare the dampers for upcoming bumps. Terrain modes cover snow, sand, mud and water crossings up to a stated 650 mm.

Both front seats have 20-way adjustment, powered leg rests and a zero-gravity mode. The rear seats recline to 138 degrees and add heating and 16-point massage. Four-zone climate control is paired with an 8.8-litre powered drawer fridge.

The infotainment centrepiece is a 15.6-inch OLED display. Rear passengers get a 21.4-inch mini-LED roof screen, while the LYRA 8.1.4.2 sound system uses 27 speakers and has a quoted 2,600 W output. The 1.7 m² electrochromic glass roof has three tint levels, and active noise cancellation is claimed to cut peak road noise by up to 8 dB.

The driver-assistance suite uses 31 sensors, including lidar and 4D radar, NIO's 5 nm NX9031 chip and NIO WorldModel software. It remains an assistance system: NIO says drivers must stay attentive and ready to intervene. The body uses 89% aluminium and high-strength steel, torsional rigidity is listed at 40,136 Nm/degree, and nine airbags are fitted.

In China, Executive Premium costs RMB 382,800 with the battery, while Executive Signature is RMB 422,800. Choosing BaaS lowers the initial figures to RMB 274,800 and RMB 314,800. The RMB 108,000 difference represents the battery being separated from the vehicle purchase; ongoing subscription terms are governed by the local NIO contract.

BaaS lowers the entry barrier and preserves access to NIO's battery-swap ecosystem, but the initial figure is not a complete ownership cost. Buyers must account for recurring payments and station availability, and the equation changes significantly in markets without a dense NIO network.

The five-seat model arrives after a strong third-generation ES8 launch: NIO says 120,000 units were delivered in 275 days. Still, the July 9 prices and delivery schedule apply to China. NIO has not announced this five-seat version for the UK or wider Europe, so Chinese prices should not be presented as local retail prices. Other Chinese electric cars in the AutoCore catalog can be viewed with their market-specific configurations.