Nio expands ES8 lineup with spacious 5-seat electric SUV

Nio has finally started shipping the first batch of the new 5-seat variant of its popular ES8 SUV in China, in an attempt to gain a foothold in the premium large SUV segment and attract more customers seeking a more spacious interior without a third row of seats. The ES8 remains the most popular Nio SUV in China and a key driver for the company in its home region, even as it struggles in European markets. Founder, chairman, and CEO William Li, along with co-founder and president Qin Lihong, personally handed over the keys to the first 5-seat ES8 vehicles to customers.

The 5-seat ES8 SUV comes in two trims and at a lucrative price point that undercuts the three-row variant. In an official statement, Nio CEO William Li stated on X:

“Tonight, we officially launched the large five-seat version of the NIO ES8 starting at RMB 382,800 for a full purchase and RMB 274,800 with the Battery as a Service (BaaS) option. The premium large five-seat SUV is entering the all-electric era. Five people. Twenty-one suitcases. Zero compromises.”

Nio’s leadership continued, “With true separation between passenger and cargo space, everyone gets the comfort and room they deserve.”

A family-friendly premium SUV

For context, the new 5-seat ES8 SUV offers a spacious 230-liter frunk and an additional 1,334-liter rear trunk, for a total cargo capacity of up to 3,084 liters with the seats folded. The ES8 positions itself not only as a family-friendly premium SUV, but also as a choice for business owners and outdoor adventurers.

The ES8 starts at 382,800 yuan, or roughly $56,500, for the Executive Luxury trim, which includes a battery or can be paired with the BaaS plan. It is around 5.9% cheaper than the three-row ES8. It offers advanced infotainment, a robust platform, and respectable performance, along with the same smart tech as its siblings, while addressing consumer demand for more cargo space with a true five-seater layout.

Nio’s flagship ES8 has been a hit with EV customers in China, as the SUV achieved 120,000 cumulative deliveries for its third-generation variant in late June 2026, just 275 days after the first batch of shipments. However, deliveries in June dropped to an estimated 9,000 units as buyers awaited the launch of the 5-seat ES8 variant.

Nio has now rounded out its lineup of premium large SUVs, offering a spacious 5-seat option along with 6-seat and 7-seat configurations, not including the flagship ES9.