NIO Unveils Fully Upgraded ET5 and ET5 Touring: A New Era of Premium Smart Electric Mobility
After two years of dedicated development, NIO has officially launched the New ET5 and New ET5 Touring (ET5T)—its refreshed smart electric mid-size sedan and tourer—at Hefei’s Luogang Central Park, recognized as the world’s largest urban central park. These highly anticipated models, enhanced with over 500 upgrades, reflect a significant leap forward in intelligent vehicle design, performance, and user experience. Starting at RMB 298,000, or RMB 228,000 with NIO’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) subscription, the new models reaffirm NIO’s leadership in China’s premium EV market.
The original ET5, introduced in September 2022, redefined the RMB 300,000 premium sedan segment with its superior intelligence and craftsmanship. Its tourer counterpart, the ET5T, launched in June 2023, rapidly gained recognition for its stylish, utility-focused design and soon became one of the top three best-selling premium tourers worldwide, holding the number one spot in the premium electric tourer segment. The new-generation ET5 and ET5T inherit and evolve this legacy, showcasing NIO’s core design philosophy and a decade of innovation.
Design Evolution with a Bold Presence
The New ET5 and ET5T carry forward NIO’s distinctive design DNA—Pure, Sophisticated, Progressive, and Human. With refined lines and sculpted aesthetics, the models project a commanding yet elegant road presence. The ET5’s dynamic silhouette is defined by its sweeping roofline that flows seamlessly into a sporty ducktail spoiler, while the ET5T’s proportions emphasize a sense of adventure and limitless exploration.
Design enhancements include a subtly raised hood with bold muscular lines that merge into the aggressive “Shark Nose” front. Flanking the new face are upgraded 3D crystal-like Double-Dash daytime running lights (DRLs) and Smart Matrix Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) headlights, which together create a more assertive and expressive visual identity.
The lower body receives a fresh touch with glossy black trim, an extended front splitter, and a blade-style rear diffuser. Adding to the sportiness are newly introduced 20-inch Five-Spoke Blade Wheels. Customers can personalize their vehicle from nine body color options, including the newly launched Twilight Glow and New Moon Silver—shades inspired by nature’s most beautiful skies. The interior expands customization further with five earth-toned color themes and 45 total combinations, featuring premium new hues like Stellar Violet, Warm Gravel, and Storm Gray.
A Reimagined Smart Cabin Experience
Inside, the New ET5 and ET5T adopt a cocoon-style interior layout centered around a horizontally oriented 15.6-inch AMOLED display with 3K resolution, 100% wide color gamut, and HDR Vivid capability. This ultrathin-bezel screen introduces a rounded-corner design, creating an immersive, cinematic feel.
Complementing the main screen is an 18.8-inch HD Wide Head-Up Display (W-HUD) that comes standard on both models. The display projects essential driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight, including blind-spot monitoring. Users can also opt for an 8MP ultra-HD digital rearview mirror, offering a viewing field 3.6 times wider than traditional mirrors, even in low-light or rainy conditions.
The center console has been redesigned for improved space and functionality, featuring dual 50W air-cooled wireless charging pads capable of powering two devices simultaneously. The all-new steering wheel and column-mounted shifter also enhance ergonomic efficiency and cabin openness.
Audiophiles will appreciate the upgraded Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 Surround Sound System, now with enhanced hardware and customizable Pro EQ tuning. Meanwhile, ambient lighting includes a digital curtain system offering over 16 million color options, breathing effects, and music synchronization to elevate mood and experience.
The models now support iPhone digital keys, UWB-based precision positioning, and NFC key functionality, aligning with the latest in seamless connectivity.
Ultimate Seating Comfort and Interior Refinement
Seat comfort in the new models has been significantly upgraded through an 11-layer cushion architecture that includes a new 20mm high-resilience foam and NIO’s proprietary AIR composite foam. This design offers class-leading softness, complemented by a two-section cushion layout, enhanced lumbar support, and improved headrest ergonomics. Adjustments to windshield sensor modules and the steering column improve visibility and comfort for various body types.
Rear-seat passengers benefit from extended legroom, an additional 75mm of cushion length, softer foam in the headrests, and a 6° tilt for better neck support. Ventilation, heating, and massage functions have all been improved, doubling the comfort level for long-distance and all-season driving.
Superior Thermal Management and Sun Protection
Thermal insulation and UV protection are key highlights in the new ET5 and ET5T. The front windshield now uses double-layer silver-coated glass to block 99.9% of UV rays and over 90% of infrared radiation—delivering 50% more effective heat insulation than standard glass.
Both vehicles come standard with a panoramic sunroof that also uses silver-coated glass for IR blocking, while the ET5T offers an optional electrochromic glass roof for adjustable transparency. All side windows feature class-exclusive double-layer glass with IR-blocking lamination, enhancing both visibility and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels.
Performance-Driven Chassis Upgrades for a Smoother Ride
The New ET5 and ET5T integrate advanced chassis technologies that ensure a refined yet sporty driving experience. Standard Continuous Damping Control (CDC) adjusts suspension up to 500 times per second for optimal road contact, while 4D Smart Suspension utilizes cloud-based road mapping to proactively prepare the vehicle for changing surfaces.
Twenty-nine chassis components have been revised or upgraded, including springs, anti-roll bars, and hydraulic bushings. EPS, motor control, and damper systems have also undergone software recalibration, improving responsiveness, steering feedback, and lateral stiffness.
A new EP (Enhanced Performance) Mode allows independent 11-level damping adjustment on both axles and supports five dynamic driving profiles—Daily, Track, Launch, Drift, and Team Play. AI-driven suspension and cooling management further tailor the driving experience to user preferences.
Smarter Systems with Next-Generation NT.Cedar S Platform
The intelligent heart of the new models is NIO’s third-generation NT.Cedar S smart system, which integrates the NX9031 chip and SkyOS vehicle operating system. The upgraded AQUILA Super Sensing suite includes a 1,550nm long-range LiDAR and 4D imaging radar for all-weather perception.
Built on NIO’s World Model (NWM) architecture, the ET5 and ET5T support NOP+ (Navigate on Pilot Plus) for point-to-point autonomous driving across highway and city routes. The models also introduce industry-first features like full-model-based automated parking, Parking Lot Routing, Long-Range Self-Parking, Drag-and-Park, and ultra-tight space remote parking with live trajectory planning. These smart driving features begin rolling out to NT.Cedar S users in late June.
The onboard NOMI Mate 3.0 system has been significantly upgraded with a 340° swing range, offering interactive features such as dancing to music, reacting to voice prompts, and even playing games. Enhanced by large language models and real-time route analysis, NOMI becomes an intuitive co-pilot, capable of recommending personalized charging options based on 21 data points.
Uncompromised Safety Standards and First-in-Class Innovations
Safety remains central to NIO’s mission. The ET5 was the first vehicle to meet the latest Euro NCAP standards in 2023, earning a 96% occupant protection score. With safety ratings exceeding both Chinese and European five-star benchmarks, NIO’s ET5 and ET5T are equipped to protect on every journey.
The new Cedar S AQUILA system equips the ET5T with 29 high-performance perception units for real-time risk recognition. Smart Matrix ADB headlights automatically dim to prevent blinding oncoming drivers. Newly added safety technologies include Rear Collision Mitigation (RCM), Emergency Roadside Pull-Over, and Tire Burst Mitigation—each a segment first.
Features like Surround View Display, borrowed from NIO’s flagship ET9, help minimize blind spots, while Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring enhances control and confidence. Every angle of safety is considered, reinforcing NIO’s commitment to intelligent, human-centered mobility.
A Premium EV Experience, Perfected
With over 500 upgrades, elevated comfort, intelligent driving capabilities, and cutting-edge safety features, the New ET5 and ET5T represent the pinnacle of NIO’s innovation. As smart electric vehicles continue to evolve, NIO is redefining what it means to drive premium—uniting technology, design, and emotion into a seamless, next-generation experience. Whether navigating city streets or exploring open roads, the new models promise unmatched refinement and intelligent mobility for the modern driver.
