NIO Brings Made-in-China Dual Front Zero-Gravity Seats to the Five-Seat ES8 Ahead of the July 9 Launch

NIO has formally opened reservations for the five-seat configuration of its all-new ES8 flagship full-size SUV, with showroom display cars now in NIO Houses across the country and the official on-sale date locked for July 9, 2026. Early bookers can convert a 5,000 RMB (about USD 689) deposit into a 10,000 RMB discount on the final purchase price — joining the six- and seven-seat ES8 trims that went on sale earlier in the spring.

Key Highlights

The five-seater inherits the all-new ES8’s body proportions (5,280 mm long, 3,130 mm wheelbase) and the closed grille, roof-mounted LiDAR pod and “Star Curtain” front lighting bar of its six- and seven-seat siblings. Dropping the third row pushes maximum cargo volume past 1,400 liters behind the second row. The cabin headline is the dual front zero-gravity seat layout — leg-rest extensions, ventilation, heating, and the “Queen seat” tilt previously reserved for ET9 sedan rear passengers — now offered to both driver and front passenger, a first for a Chinese full-size SUV at this price tier.

Why It Matters for Made-in-China Premium SUVs

The five-seat ES8 keeps the same 900V Adam high-voltage architecture and 5C peak DC fast charging as the six- and seven-seat editions, with a standard 100 kWh CATL pack (~605 km CLTC) and an optional 150 kWh semi-solid-state pack (~900 km CLTC). Dual motors deliver a combined 520 kW (697 hp) and a 3.97-second 0–100 km/h sprint, and Battery-as-a-Service rental can subtract 70,000–128,000 RMB from sticker. Analysts expect the five-seater to start near 398,000 RMB, slotting between the Li Auto L9 Pro (409,800 RMB) and the AITO M9 BEV (469,800 RMB) — moving China’s premium SUV cabin race from a “rear lounge” focus to a “front lounge” arms race. iEVChina reported earlier on the full ES8 dimensions, BaaS pricing structure and L9 / M9 cross-shopping math.

What’s Next

Watch the July 9 launch event for confirmed five-seat pricing and the BaaS adjustment table; with reservations already running, first deliveries are expected to begin within four to six weeks of the on-sale announcement.

Source: Autohome.com