2026 NIO ES9: The 697 HP Flagship SUV Redefining Luxury from $77,450

The full-size luxury SUV segment is notoriously difficult to disrupt, heavily guarded by legacy European automakers and established internal-combustion nameplates. However, the 2026 NIO ES9 arrives not just to compete, but to completely rewrite the rulebook for massive, premium family haulers. Representing the absolute epitome of 11 years of brand innovation—as proudly highlighted in NIO's "Design for leadership" campaign—this all-electric behemoth is the largest SUV in China to date. Boasting dimensions and interior volumes that rival traditional multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), the ES9 is engineered for high-net-worth individuals who refuse to compromise on space, performance, or cutting-edge technology.

Priced from an aggressive $77,450 (528,000 yuan) in its domestic market, the NIO ES9 backs up its imposing physical presence with staggering performance metrics. Armed with a 102 kWh CATL battery pack running on an ultra-advanced 900-volt architecture, and a dual-motor powertrain generating 697 horsepower, it promises to deliver executive-level comfort without sacrificing dynamic capability. With an elevated design language and a suite of next-generation autonomous driving hardware, this flagship SUV is designed to dominate the road while providing a serene, sanctuary-like cabin for its six occupants.

Performance & Powertrain Dynamics

Battery	102 kWh
Motor power	697 hp (520 kW)

Motivating a vehicle of this staggering magnitude requires serious firepower, and the NIO ES9 delivers with a highly sophisticated front and rear dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. The front axle houses a 180 kW (241 hp) induction motor, while the rear axle is equipped with a massively powerful 340 kW (456 hp) permanent magnet synchronous motor. The combined maximum output sits at a staggering 520 kilowatts, which translates to a robust 697 horsepower.

This immense power is complemented by 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of instant electrical torque. As a result, this 2.9-ton luxury fortress catapults from 0 to 100 km/h in an awe-inspiring 4.3 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 220 km/h. To ensure this power is highly usable in all conditions, NIO subjected the flagship SUV to rigorous winter testing in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia, where temperatures plummeted to minus 30 degrees Celsius. The intelligent AWD system demonstrated remarkable torque vectoring and agility in these extreme cold environments.

POWERTRAIN TYPE	BEV AWD (Dual Motor)
HORSEPOWER	697 hp (520 kW)
TORQUE	700 Nm
0-100 KM/H	4.3 seconds
TOP SPEED	220 km/h
DRIVETRAIN	AWD

Dimensions & Practicality

Length	5,365 mm
Width	2,029 mm
Height	1,870 mm
Wheelbase	3,250 mm

The sheer scale of the NIO ES9 is its defining physical characteristic. Measuring an incredible 5,365 mm in length, 2,029 mm in width, and 1,870 mm in height, it dwarfs the brand's current third-generation ES8 and is merely 17 mm shorter than a Cadillac Escalade. The critical metric, however, is the massive 3,250 mm wheelbase. This architecture allows for an expansive and open interior space dedicated exclusively to a luxurious six-seat layout, providing executive-level legroom across all three rows.

This cavernous interior has sparked a fascinating industry rivalry. NIO's management boldly claimed that the ride comfort and massive space of the ES9 could make consumers "forget about MPVs." This aggressive stance prompted a direct response from legacy MPV leaders like Buick, whose Century MPV measures 5,230 mm in length. By out-measuring traditional luxury vans, the ES9 positions itself as the ultimate executive transport.

Practicality remains a strong suit. The ES9 offers a massive 216-liter front trunk (frunk)—one of the largest in its class. The rear trunk provides 477 liters of space even with all three rows up, expanding to a cavernous 1,586 liters when the rear seats are folded.

LENGTH	5,365 mm
WIDTH	2,029 mm
HEIGHT	1,870 mm
WHEELBASE	3,250 mm
FRUNK VOLUME	216 L
TRUNK VOLUME	477 L (1,586 L folded)
SEAT LAYOUT	6

900V Architecture & Battery Tech

Energy storage for the NIO ES9 is handled by a substantial 102 kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery pack supplied by CATL. This high-capacity pack provides the massive electric SUV with a pure electric range of up to 620 kilometers (CLTC) on a single charge.

However, the true marvel lies in the vehicle's electrical architecture. Operating on a class-leading 900-volt platform (specifically running at 925 volts), the ES9 is capable of receiving up to 600 kW of DC fast-charging power. This allows the massive battery to charge from 10% to 80% in an astonishing 11 to 13 minutes. Furthermore, as a NIO vehicle, the ES9 integrates seamlessly into the brand's expansive battery-swapping infrastructure, allowing drivers to swap a depleted pack for a fully charged one in under three minutes.

Design & Interior Opulence

Aesthetically, the NIO ES9 is a masterclass in composed, assured styling. It adopts the brand's latest design language, highlighted by a distinctive "Shark Nose" front fascia and micro-LED headlights capable of projecting graphics (like navigation arrows) directly onto the road. The exterior is defined by pure vertical and horizontal lines, creating precise and fluid surfaces that result in a highly aerodynamic drag coefficient of just 0.264 Cd.

Inside, the cabin is an exercise in minimalist opulence. The centerpiece is a 15.6-inch AMOLED floating center console screen running the SkyOS operating system. The second row features executive "Zero Gravity" island seats equipped with a 20-point foot and back massage system, suction-style ventilation, and a massive split panoramic roof with individual sunshades. Rear passengers also enjoy dual 16-inch 3.3K entertainment screens, creating a private, first-class theater experience.

Technology & SkyRide Chassis

To ensure this 5.3-meter behemoth handles with the agility of a much smaller vehicle, NIO has equipped the ES9 with state-of-the-art chassis technology. It features a Steer-by-Wire system and active Rear-Wheel Steering, drastically reducing the vehicle's turning circle to just 10.8 meters. The acclaimed NIO SkyRide Full Active Suspension uses dual-chamber air springs and external CDC dampers to completely isolate the cabin from road imperfections.

On the autonomous driving front, the ES9 features the AQUILA Super Sensing System, which utilizes an unprecedented three LiDAR sensors (one on the roof, two on the front fenders) and 31 high-precision sensors. All of this data is processed by two in-house developed 5nm Shenji NX9031 autonomous driving chips, ensuring the ES9 is fully prepared for Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous driving updates in the future.

How It Compares

When placed against its premium Chinese market contemporaries, the NIO ES9 clearly positions itself in an upper echelon of luxury and performance. It demands a significant premium over the Li Auto L9, but justifies that delta with a massive 248-horsepower advantage, a vastly more advanced 900V pure electric architecture (rather than an extended-range hybrid setup), and the unparalleled convenience of 3-minute battery swapping. Against the Huawei-backed AITO M9 EV, the NIO maintains its horsepower dominance and offers superior chassis technology with its Steer-by-Wire and Rear-Wheel Steering systems.

Pricing & Availability

The NIO ES9 launched pre-sales with an aggressive starting price of 528,000 yuan (approximately $77,450), which includes the 102 kWh battery pack. Buyers can also opt for the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, which lowers the initial purchase price significantly in exchange for a monthly battery subscription. Official market launch and initial customer deliveries are scheduled to begin promptly on June 1, 2026.