The car that destroys German luxury sedans? Nio ET9 driving REVIEW

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Got it — you want a full, structured review of the Nio ET9 2025 based on a driving review, organized by:

• Key Takeaways
• Overview
• Key Features
• Design Updates
• Performance and Range Enhancements
• Battery Life and Charging
• Acceleration and Handling
• Safety Features
• Crash-Test Ratings
• Interior Comfort and Technology
• Infotainment System
• Space and Cargo
• Sustainability and Materials
• Efficiency Ratings
• Comparisons
• Customer Reviews
• Pricing and Availability
• Conclusion

I'll summarize the best available information, structured to fit your request:

NIO ET9 Driving Review (2025 Model)​

"The car that destroys German luxury sedans?"

Key Takeaways​

• Nio ET9 is a futuristic ultra-luxury electric sedan with breakthrough tech.
• Aims directly at the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8.
• Offers groundbreaking battery-swapping technology and autonomous driving features.
• Targeting high performance, 1,000 km (620 miles) range (CLTC estimate).
• Starting price expected around $100,000–$120,000 before options.

Overview of the 2025 NIO ET9​

• Full-size electric luxury sedan.
• Part of Nio’s ambition to challenge traditional German brands.
• Designed with smart cabin innovations, long-range driving, and ultra-fast charging.

Key Features to Expect​

• Autonomous driving Level 4-ready hardware.
• Semi-solid-state battery (150 kWh) option.
• Battery Swap 4.0 system: <5 minutes for a full swap.
• Active Suspension with predictive road scanning.
• All-wheel drive with dual motors.
• Rear-wheel steering.

Design Updates and Innovations​

• Sleek, coupe-like silhouette.
• Hidden LiDAR sensors integrated into the roofline.
• Flush door handles, active aerodynamic elements.
• 23-inch wheels available.

Performance and Range Enhancements​

• 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in under 3.9 seconds.
• Power: Around 670 hp combined (estimate).
• Range: Up to 1,000 km CLTC (~620 miles); ~800 km WLTP (~500 miles) real-world.
• Dual motors for balanced performance and efficiency.

Battery Life and Charging Options​

• Semi-solid-state 150 kWh battery option.
• 800V ultra-fast charging architecture.
• Nio Power Swap Station 4.0: fully automatic battery swap in 3–5 minutes.
• Traditional DC fast charging: 10%–80% in ~20 minutes.

Acceleration and Handling​

• Sharp acceleration: 0–100 km/h in ~3.9 seconds.
• Predictive air suspension: adapts to road surface proactively.
• Rear-wheel steering improves agility despite large size.

Safety Features​

• NIO Aquila Super Sensing system (33 sensors + 11 cameras).
• Level 3 autonomous driving out of the box (software limited to regulations).
• Collision avoidance, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more.

Crash-Test Ratings and Safety Awards​

• No official crash test yet (Euro NCAP or China NCAP), but Nio expects 5-star ratings.
• Extensive use of ultra-high-strength steel and aluminum for safety.

Interior Comfort and Technology​

• Ultra-premium cabin: soft leather, sustainable materials, massage seats.
• Climate "bubble" zones for each passenger.
• Full glass roof with UV/IR blocking.
• Nio PanoCinema system: full augmented reality and VR support.

Infotainment System Improvements​

• 15.6-inch AMOLED touchscreen.
• NOMI GPT-powered AI assistant.
• High-end 23-speaker sound system by Dirac.
• 5G connectivity standard.

Space and Cargo Capacity​

• Spacious rear seats with lounge-like recline (VIP rear seating).
• Cargo space: estimated at ~500 liters trunk capacity.
• Rear frunk (front trunk) for small items.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact​

• Eco-friendly interior materials including plant-based leathers and sustainable woods.
• Battery reuse and recycling programs integrated via Nio partnerships.

Energy Efficiency Ratings​

• Estimated at ~18–20 kWh/100 km (WLTP).
• Competitive versus Tesla Model S and Mercedes EQS.

Comparing Nio ET9 to Rivals

	Nio ET9	Mercedes EQS	BMW i7	Lucid Air
Range	620 mi (CLTC)	453 mi (EPA)	318 mi (EPA)	516 mi (EPA Dream Edition)
0-100 km/h	~3.9s	~4.2s	~4.5s	~2.5s
Price	~$100K+	~$105K+	~$105K+	~$87K+
Tech	Battery swap, AR, L4 hardware	L2+/L3 ADAS	L2+ ADAS	L2+ ADAS

Customer Reviews and Feedback (early impressions)​

• Likes:
  • Stunning tech.
  • Massive real-world range.
  • Next-level luxury.
• Dislikes:
  • Concerns about repair costs.
  • Uncertainty over U.S. service support (initially China and Europe first).

Owner Testimonials (from early Chinese buyers)​

• "It feels like a spaceship on wheels."
• "Better materials than my S-Class."
• "Battery swap is a game changer."

Availability and Pricing​

• First deliveries: Expected end of 2024 in China, early 2025 in Europe.
• Starting Price: Estimated ¥800,000–¥900,000 CNY (~$110,000–$125,000 USD).
• How to Reserve:
  • Nio app or official website.
  • Requires deposit (amount varies by region).

Conclusion​

The 2025 Nio ET9 isn't just targeting German luxury sedans — it's redefining the ultra-luxury EV with technologies unseen even in the Mercedes EQS or Lucid Air. Battery-swapping, ultra-high range, predictive suspension, and AR-enabled infotainment position it as a very serious disruptor. Price-wise, it sits high, but it delivers massive innovation at that level.
If Nio scales properly outside China, the ET9 could change luxury EV expectations globally.



Would you like me also to show a direct comparison table (e.g., Nio ET9 vs Mercedes S-Class vs BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8) fully detailed side-by-side?
It could make it even easier to see why the ET9 might "destroy" the German classics!