Nio has unveiled refreshed versions of its midsize electric sedan, the ET5, and its station wagon variant, the ET5 Touring (ET5T). Announced on May 25, the updated electric vehicle models incorporate more than 500 enhancements spanning design, comfort, and performance, yet both retain the previous starting price of RMB 298,000 (USD 41,720), or RMB 228,000 (USD 31,920) with a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) subscription.
Though technically a midcycle update, the changes go far beyond cosmetic tweaks. The upgrades include redesigned exterior elements, a revamped cabin, improved suspension systems, and new intelligent driving features.
The latest ET5 and ET5T adopt a sportier aesthetic, with prominent creases on the hood and updated Smart Matrix ADB daytime running lights. While the vehicles maintain the recognizable silhouette of earlier models, their styling cues nod to Nio’s flagship ET9.
Inside, the layout has been overhauled. A 15.6-inch horizontal AMOLED center display replaces the previous vertical format, offering 3K resolution and slimmer bezels. A wide 18.8-inch head-up display (HUD) is now standard, projecting key data such as blind spot alerts directly onto the windshield.
The steering wheel and shifter have also been redesigned. A column-mounted gear selector frees up space on the center console, which now supports dual 50-watt air-cooled wireless charging pads. The Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 surround sound system has been enhanced, and ambient lighting now syncs with music for a more immersive experience.
Comfort takes center stage with Nio’s reengineered seats. Featuring an 11-layer structure and the company’s proprietary “Air” composite foam, the new design includes a dual-section cushion and improved lumbar and headrest support. Rear seats now offer longer cushions extended by 75 millimeters, softer headrests with a six-degree tilt, and upgraded ventilation, heating, and massage functions.
Cabin insulation and UV protection have also been upgraded. The front windshield uses double-layer silver-coated glass that reportedly blocks 99.9% of ultraviolet rays and more than 90% of infrared radiation. The panoramic roof, with an optional electrochromic feature in the ET5T, uses similar materials. Laminated side windows further enhance interior quietness and temperature regulation.
Both models now feature continuous damping control (CDC) and Nio’s 4D “smart suspension,” which uses cloud-based road mapping data to adjust in real time. According to CEO William Li, these changes lead to measurable performance improvements: ride smoothness over speed bumps is up 23%, comfort on rough roads has improved by 15%, body movement on undulating surfaces is down 17%, and lateral jolts at low speeds have decreased by 30%.
Additional upgrades include 29 enhanced chassis components—springs, anti-roll bars, bushings, toe angles—as well as hydraulic bushings for the rear subframe. Electric power steering, motor control, and damper settings have also been fine-tuned.
A new “EP Mode” offers 11 levels of damping adjustment per axle and supports five driving scenarios: daily, track, launch, drift, and team play. Powered by artificial intelligence, the system also manages suspension and thermal systems to optimize performance.
Both vehicles now run on Nio’s third-generation smart vehicle system, NT.Cedar S, which integrates the in-house NX9031 chip with the SkyOS operating system. The upgraded Aquila “super sensing” suite includes 1,550-nanometer long-range LiDAR (light detection and ranging) and high-resolution 4D imaging radar.
This system underpins NOP+, Nio’s full-stack autonomous driving platform, which enables seamless transitions across highways, city streets, toll booths, parking lots, and battery swap stations. Features such as long-range self-parking, remote parking, and real-time parking trajectory planning come standard.
RELATED ARTICLE
Nio’s onboard AI assistant, Nomi Mate 3.0, has a 340-degree range of motion and now responds to gestures and audio cues. Enhanced with large language models, it can recommend optimized charging plans using 21 variables, including route changes and infrastructure availability.
Safety remains a key focus. The ET5 was the first vehicle to meet the Euro NCAP’s updated 2023 standards and continues to lead with a claimed 96% occupant protection score. The ET5T builds on that with added features such as rear collision mitigation, emergency pullover, tire burst mitigation, and a high-speed tire pressure monitoring system that can detect a blowout in 0.3 seconds and help stabilize the vehicle at speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour.
Deliveries for the new ET5 and ET5T will begin next week across China. Buyers will receive a launch benefit package valued at RMB 61,300 (USD 8,582), which includes a five-year battery swap plan, NOP+ subscription, extended warranty, comfort upgrades, and additional subsidies for compatible models. Existing Nio customers qualify for exclusive repurchase incentives.