Nio ET9 Launch Review: Four-Seat Executive Flagship Starts at RMB 788,000
By 熊浩霖
At Nio Day 2024 on December 21, 2024, in Guangzhou, Nio announced the launch of the ET9. The all-electric executive flagship was priced starting at RMB 788,000 for the complete vehicle, or RMB 660,000 under the Battery as a Service (BaaS) scheme, alongside a limited First Edition run of 999 units.
On December 21, 2024, NIO announced the launch of the ET9 at NIO Day 2024 in Guangzhou. The all-electric executive flagship had a starting price of RMB 788,000 for the vehicle, with a starting price of RMB 660,000 under the Battery as a Service (BaaS) battery rental scheme; a limited First Edition of 999 units was also introduced at the same time.
The Nio ET9 is shown in dark blue with black wheels. The vehicle is parked in an open area against a backdrop of continuous snow-capped mountains bathed in the glow of the setting sun, creating a serene and majestic atmosphere. This image relates to the pricing information of the ET9 at launch, providing a direct visual reference of the vehicle's exterior design.
At launch, the prices for the two versions were as follows:
| Version | Vehicle Price | BaaS Purchase Price |
|---|---|---|
| ET9 | Starting at RMB 788,000 | Starting at RMB 660,000 |
| First Edition (999 units) | RMB 818,000 | RMB 690,000 |
The BaaS scheme separates the vehicle and battery costs, requiring customers to pay a separate battery rental fee after purchase. The prices above are those announced at the 2024 launch. The First Edition offers 9 exclusive design details and 5 configuration upgrades; these exclusive features should not be considered standard on the regular version.
According to materials released by NIO at the time, the ET9 has a length of 5,325 mm and a wheelbase of 3,250 mm, featuring a native four-seat layout. The central aisle between the front and rear rows is 2,150 mm long and integrates multiple cabin functions; the rear row is equipped with two independent seats supporting a dual-side executive mode. The cabin also includes seven electric sunshades and a 35-speaker audio system.
A panoramic view of the Nio ET9 interior. The front row features two independent seats upholstered in beige leather with diamond stitching, flanking a spacious central console that integrates multiple cabin functions. The rear row also includes two independent seats supporting a dual-side VIP mode. The cabin is equipped with seven electric sunshades and a 35-speaker audio system. Mountains and blue skies with white clouds are visible through the windows. The overall white and beige interior creates a luxurious and comfortable atmosphere. This image aligns with the aforementioned details on the ET9's native four-seat layout and interior configurations.
In terms of the powertrain, the ET9 uses a full 900V high-voltage architecture with a total system output of 520 kW. It is equipped with a 100 kWh battery pack, and the announced CLTC comprehensive range is 650 km. This range figure is based on standard testing protocols and does not directly equate to real-world driving range.
The chassis features NIO's SkyRide system, integrating steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering, and a fully active suspension. The steer-by-wire system transmits steering commands via electronic signals. The intelligent systems run on NIO's Cedar and SkyOS vehicle operating system, and are equipped with the Shenji AD chip.
At launch, NIO planned to begin deliveries in March 2025; the company subsequently confirmed in a March 2025 delivery announcement that the ET9 had started deliveries in late March.