The ET9 is a flagship all-electric executive saloon introduced by NIO in December 2024, serving as the inaugural model on its NT3.0 platform. Bringing together the full breadth of NIO’s technical engineering—including the SkyRide fully active suspension, full-domain 900V high-voltage architecture, steer-by-wire, and the proprietary Shenji NX9031 autonomous driving chip—the vehicle is priced from RM788,000, going head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8L, and Maextro S800.
Positioned as a full-size pure electric executive saloon, the ET9 represents the pinnacle of NIO’s brand pyramid. Key highlights include the SkyRide intelligent chassis (the world's first fully drive-by-wire system combining steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering, and fully active suspension), a full-domain 900V high-voltage architecture, in-house developed 5nm Shenji NX9031 smart driving chip, SkyOS whole-vehicle operating system, and an ultra-luxurious four-seater independent flagship cabin.
The 2024 model line-up consists of 3 variants: the 100kWh Standard Edition (RM788,000), 100kWh Signature Edition (RM808,000), and the Launch Limited Edition (RM818,000, capped at 999 units). With the BaaS (Battery as a Service) battery subscription scheme, prices drop by RM128,000 across the range, bringing the Standard Edition down to RM660,000. Dimensions stand at 5,325 mm long, 2,017 mm wide, and 1,621 mm tall with a 3,250 mm wheelbase, a kerb weight of 2,700 kg, and a drag coefficient of 0.243 Cd.
In September 2025, a 100kWh Executive Edition (RM808,000) was added, matching the Signature Edition’s equipment levels. As of October 2025, cumulative sales of the ET9 stood at 2,193 units, with monthly deliveries averaging just over a hundred units.
On the outside, the car wears NIO’s signature family design language, featuring a clean closed front fascia flanked by Double-Dash daytime running lights and split headlamp units fitted with Micro LED wide-angle lighting modules (offering anti-glare high beams for oncoming traffic and lane line marking). The side profile adopts a sleek "Aero-Body" fastback silhouette, complemented by flush pop-out door handles, frameless soft-close doors, and multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Exterior colour choices include Cloud White, Deep Space Black, Moonlight Silver, Southern Cross Blue, Dawn Gold, M42 Nebula Red, and Star Green, while the Launch Edition gets an exclusive Midnight Glaze Blue finish—crafted using an intricate porcelain-inspired painting process taking over 60 hours.
The cabin adopts a bespoke four-seater executive layout, segregated by the "Sky Island" and "Executive Bridge" console designs. Up front, the dashboard houses a 15.6-inch floating AMOLED display (3K resolution), a full-focal AR-HUD, and the NOMI AI companion. The rear quarters feature two individual executive seats with up to 45° of backrest recline, 582 mm wide seat bases, a 360° steplessly adjustable executive fold-out table, a smart chiller, and a central security safe. The car is also equipped with 7 electric sunshades (covering the rear side windows, quarter glass, rear windscreen, and panoramic glass roof), complete with a "One-Touch Privacy" mode.
Powering the entire range is a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup comprising a front induction asynchronous motor and a rear permanent magnet synchronous motor. Total system output is rated at 520 kW (707 PS) and 700 Nm of torque, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.3 seconds towards a top speed of 220 km/h. The front motor produces 180 kW/300 Nm, while the rear motor churns out 340 kW/400 Nm.
Built on China's first full-domain 900V high-voltage architecture (operating at up to 925V), the saloon packs a 100kWh CATL ternary lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a CLTC-rated range of 650 km on the Standard Edition and 620 km on the Signature/Launch Editions (fitted with 23-inch wheels). Peak DC charging power reaches 600 kW, recouping 255 km of range in just 5 minutes, while an automated battery swap takes only 3 minutes. Average energy consumption is rated at 16.2 to 17 kWh per 100 km.
The SkyRide intelligent chassis is the world's first fully drive-by-wire chassis system that integrates steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering, and fully active suspension into a single ecosystem.
Steer-by-Wire: China's first mass-produced steer-by-wire system certified by MIIT, featuring zero mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and steering rack, pure electrical signal transmission, lower latency, modular packaging flexibility, and speed-sensitive variable steering ratios
Fully Active Suspension: Features independent height and damping control for each individual wheel, paired with NIO's proprietary 4D AI predictive chassis technology to scan road imperfections and adjust proactively, delivering class-leading ride comfort capable of gliding over speed humps with a champagne tower without spilling a single drop
Rear-Wheel Steering: Delivers a maximum rear steer angle of up to 8.3°, which, working in tandem with the steer-by-wire system, yields a tight 5.45-metre turning radius—outmanoeuvring most D-segment passenger cars
Suspension setup consists of a front five-link independent and rear multi-link independent layout, fitted as standard with Magic Carpet active suspension, active all-wheel steering, and variable steering ratio functionalities.
The ET9 runs on NIO’s third-generation intelligent system, "NT.Cedar S", powered by the full-domain SkyOS vehicle operating system (unifying vehicle control, autonomous driving, digital cockpit, and mobile connectivity) and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P cockpit chipset.
In-car audio is handled by the flagship Jiuxiao Lyra 8.2.4.8 Immersive Sound System, boasting 35 speakers and a colossal 2,800W output, including headrest speakers, rear centre surround modules, and dual front/rear subwoofers. Featuring Dirac Dimensions spatial upmixing technology, it upscales any standard stereo feed into an immersive audio experience, linking dynamically with the active suspension for a multi-sensory 5D cabin experience.
Standard comfort amenities across the range include heating, ventilation, massage, memory, power adjustments, and extendable leg rests for all four seats; heated front and rear door armrests, rear centre armrest, and second-row ottoman; tri-zone automatic climate control, intelligent fragrance diffusion, and negative ion air purification. The driver's seat offers 22-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat features an extended 350 mm sliding travel.
The vehicle comes equipped with the Aquila 2.0 Super Sensing System, housing a comprehensive suite of 31 high-performance perception sensors:
3 Innovusion Falcon LiDAR sensors (1 roof-mounted ultra-long-range forward unit + 2 wide-angle side units)
5 millimetre-wave radars (including 1 4D imaging radar)
11 8MP HD cameras, 4 surround-view cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors
Processing is anchored by the ADAM 2.0 central computing platform, powered by 2 proprietary Shenji NX9031 5nm chips (delivering computational throughput four times higher than mainstream industry flagship platforms).
The system supports full-domain Navigate on Pilot Plus (NOP+), covering highways, urban streets, battery swap stations, and toll plazas. Features currently enabled include Highway NOP+, Urban NOP+, Automated Parking Assist (APA), and Remote Parking Assist (RPA), with urban and highway navigation pilot packages available as optional add-ons.
Active safety is fully accounted for with standard omnidirectional AEB, Forward and Rear Collision Warning, Door Opening Warning (DOW), Sentry Mode, and more.
The ET9 stands as NIO's halo flagship, marking the first time a Chinese automaker has taken the fight directly to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series in the elite RM800,000 executive saloon bracket. However, sales have fallen well below expectations—cumulative deliveries reached just 2,193 units through October 2025, with monthly figures slipping to as low as 127 units. By comparison, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class recorded over 8,000 units and the BMW 7 Series exceeded 7,000 units in the first 10 months of 2025, while its direct home-market rival, the Maextro S800, shifted around 2,200 units per month over the same period.
Key Factors Behind the Critical Acclaim vs Commercial Slump:
Constrained Segment Ceiling: The total addressable market for pure electric executive saloons is significantly smaller than projected. High-net-worth corporate buyers remain hesitant to embrace an "EV-only executive" proposition, showing that luxury segment buyers do not naturally migrate to electric alternatives
Brand Equity Deficit: Executive saloons serve as essential badges of corporate prestige. A Mercedes-Benz S-Class commands immediate social recognition without explanation, whereas emerging EV brands still lack the historical heritage and peer-group prestige
Price Adjustments Undermining Exclusivity: Shifting from an initial RM800,000 pre-sale tag down to RM660,000 via the BaaS scheme diluted the car's flagship exclusivity—a major deterrent for prestige buyers wary of rapid depreciation
Charging and Swapping Anxiety: While NIO's swap network exceeds 3,600 stations, a single logistics hiccup or missed swap during a high-stakes cross-state business trip can quickly erode corporate client confidence
In response to the ET9's sales reality, NIO swiftly recalibrated its product strategy—introducing the ES9 tech-executive flagship SUV in April 2026. By trickling down the ET9’s million-ringgit tech arsenal into a more accessible RM528,000 bracket (from RM420,000 via BaaS), NIO aims to capture the premium space through the more popular SUV format. Early pre-orders show non-NIO customer bookings outperforming the ES8 by over 1.5 times, proving the ES9 is successfully appealing to the "new money" demographic.
Verdict: The NIO ET9 is a masterclass in technological capability, setting industry benchmarks with its SkyRide chassis, steer-by-wire setup, and 900V architecture. However, it entered an overly niche segment where EV adoption remains slow and brand heritage reigns supreme, leaving it widely admired yet rarely purchased. Ultimately, the ET9's true role is serving as an engineering halo and a technology incubator for volume-oriented models like the ES9, rather than a mass-market seller.
For deep-pocketed tech enthusiasts, the ET9's steer-by-wire dynamics, active SkyRide suspension, and four-seater first-class rear lounge deliver an unmatched, futuristic experience. However, for buyers whose primary priority is corporate chauffeur duties and social prestige, traditional luxury ICE saloons at this price point remain the safer, tried-and-tested choice.
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