As a first-time female driver, the NIO ET5 is my first electric vehicle, and it was love at first test drive. Especially after experiencing the battery swap with the help of a friend, I decided to go for it. Considering my long-term usage, this method of recharging effectively combats battery degradation, so I didn't bother test-driving other vehicles. I placed my order just half a month later. Below, I'll share my experience from the perspectives of exterior design, interior, driving experience, safety features, and brand activities.
Exterior:
I'm not sure if the ET5 is every girl's dream car, but all my friends who have seen it say it looks great. Of course, some people might not like the pronounced design of the front, but to me, the three cameras give the car a bit of a cat-like appearance, adding a playful and cute touch.
Interior:
I chose the interior in a shade called "Golden Sand Beige." The overall design is simple yet refined, and this color surprisingly hides dirt well. A quick wipe with a wet cloth is usually enough to keep it clean.
Range Performance:
Many say the NIO's weakest point is its range, but I haven't found it to be a problem. I mainly use the car for city commuting, with a round trip of about 25 kilometers. I recharge once every week and a half to two weeks. I’ve tested its range, and experienced drivers can get close to 400 kilometers, while I typically get around 350 kilometers. Since there's a battery swap station just 2 kilometers from my home and a charging station at my community entrance, I didn't install a home charging station. The last time I swapped batteries at 11 PM, it cost only 48 RMB to go from 9% to 92%—super cost-effective!
Safety Features:
One reason I was so determined to choose the NIO was its crash test results, which made me feel confident about its safety features. The emergency braking and automatic parking are particularly friendly for a new driver like me. However, I recently saw some posts on Xiaohongshu where NIO owners reported their cars hitting obstacles during automatic parking (though this issue isn't exclusive to NIO). So, I always make sure the parking spot is suitable for automatic parking before using it.
Brand Activities:
NIO offers a variety of events, which can greatly expand your social circle. They also have store events during holidays where you can collect gifts. Today, I picked up a scented candle, which was a nice touch.
