Many people find themselves torn when buying a car, often weighing price and range as the main factors. If both of these aspects can be well balanced, it's likely that more people would consider purchasing an electric vehicle. Today, we're introducing a mid-sized SUV with impressive range and power — the NIO ES6.
The NIO ES6 was launched in December 2019. and nearly two years have passed since then. Currently, there are five models of the NIO ES6 available, with prices ranging from 338.000 to 396.000 RMB. Today, we’ll be discussing the 2019 NIO ES6 430KM First Edition, which is the entry-level model with a guide price of 498.000 RMB.
Exterior Design
The NIO ES6's design is quite successful. Many of my friends are fond of its appearance, particularly its robust front design, which exudes a sense of safety. I personally am very fond of the front end’s design as well.
The side profile of the car is sleek, with a roofline that gradually slopes down from the B-pillar, giving it a coupe-like look that feels dynamic overall. The car’s dimensions are 4850x1965x1731mm, with a wheelbase of 2900mm. This size places it in the upper middle range of mid-sized SUVs, offering a relatively spacious interior.
The rear design is also full-bodied and provides a strong sense of security, which I personally appreciate.
Interior Design
The interior design of the NIO ES6 is equally impressive. It not only looks stylish but also uses high-quality materials, with a significant portion of the cabin wrapped in genuine leather, giving the interior a premium feel. The steering wheel is a multifunctional control wheel made of leather, and the car features an 8.8-inch fully digital instrument cluster along with an 11.3-inch central control screen, both of which have clear displays and user-friendly interfaces.
Features and Equipment
The NIO ES6 is well-equipped with a variety of features. In terms of active safety, it includes ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, traction control, vehicle stability control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, fatigue driving alert, tire pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, a 360° panoramic camera, rear cross-traffic alert, full-speed adaptive cruise control, automatic parking, auto hold, hill start assist, hill descent control, driving mode selection, regenerative braking system, and low-speed warning sound. Its driving assistance features reach Level 2 autonomy.
Comfort features include leather seats, front seat heating/ventilation/massage, rear seat heating, a boss button, multi-layer soundproof glass, auto-folding side mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and rear air vents.
Space
With a wheelbase of 2900mm and a flat rear floor, the NIO ES6 offers a spacious interior. At a height of 175cm, when I sit in the back seat, I have about three fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, providing a very roomy seating experience. The rear seats can also be folded down in a 40:60 split, expanding the trunk space. The trunk’s capacity is quite impressive, with up to 1433L when the rear seats are folded down, and 584L without folding, enough to fit two 28-inch suitcases, which is more than sufficient for daily family use.
Performance
The 2019 NIO ES6 430KM First Edition is powered by a dual-motor setup with a 544-horsepower front permanent magnet/synchronous motor and a rear AC/asynchronous motor. The system's combined output is 400kW with a total torque of 725N·m, paired with a single-speed transmission, allowing for a top speed of 180km/h. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is just 4.7 seconds, which is impressive for its class. Additionally, it comes with an electric all-wheel-drive system and offers six driving modes: Sport, ECO, Off-road, Snow, Custom, and Standard Comfort.
Range and Charging
The NIO ES6 is equipped with a 70kWh ternary lithium battery, providing a pure electric range of 430km, which should be sufficient for daily use. It also supports fast charging, reaching 80% charge in just 0.8 hours, while slow charging takes 10 hours, making it convenient for users with various charging needs.
Suspension and Ride Quality
The NIO ES6 features a front double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension. This double independent suspension setup helps enhance both handling and ride comfort. Additionally, both the front and rear suspensions are equipped with hydraulic shock absorbers, further improving the vehicle's handling and comfort. The overall build of the chassis is solid, providing a very pleasant driving experience.
Conclusion
In summary, the NIO ES6 performs exceptionally well overall. Whether it’s the exterior design, interior materials, equipment level, space, power output, or range, the ES6 stands out in its class. Given its price of 498.000 RMB, I believe it offers strong value for money among its peers. If you’re interested in this car, I recommend taking it for a test drive to see if it meets your needs.
