Nio Unveils L90 Premium SUV at Pivotal Price Point
The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market has seen a new contender emerge, as Nio Inc's Onvo L90 SUV has quickly become one of the most popular models in the market. In the first half of this year, a staggering 171,491 units of the locally produced Model Y have been delivered in China.
The Onvo L90, Nio’s sub-brand’s flagship SUV, offers a unique combination of full-size three-row SUV comfort, premium features, and a highly competitive price. Starting at around $25,000 (179,800 yuan) under the Battery-as-a-Service model, the L90 is a significant player in the market.
The L90 boasts a CLTC range of over 600 km on an 85-kWh battery, compatibility with Nio’s extensive battery swap network of 3,430 swap stations, and a 900V high-voltage platform shared with Nio’s flagship ET9 luxury sedan. These features translate to both efficiency and a refined ride quality.
The L90 positions itself as a direct challenger to premium extended-range SUVs like Li Auto’s i8 and Tesla’s Model Y six-seater. The L90 undercuts Li Auto’s i8 by about RMB 55,000 ($8,000+), making it an attractive option for volume sales while maintaining margins through scale.
The L90's first 10,000 units sold out in just 3 hours, signaling strong demand and acceptance. Analysts forecast monthly sales between 8,000–12,000, potentially making it Nio’s highest-volume model.
The L90 is larger than the Li Auto i8 and even Nio’s own ES8 SUV, fulfilling the market need for a spacious family EV SUV with premium features like adaptive air suspension and a large 240-liter front trunk (frunk).
Nio Inc has emphasized its goal of achieving its first quarterly profit in the fourth quarter of this year. The Onvo L90, officially launched as a flagship SUV by Nio Inc, is available in both six-seat and seven-seat versions, targeting the family car market. The seven-seat L90 offers three options — Pro, Max, and Ultra — with starting prices ranging from RMB 271,800 to RMB 299,800. The six-seat L90 follows a similar pricing structure, with starting prices ranging from RMB 265,800 to RMB 299,800.
Li Auto, a competitor in the Chinese EV market, has also launched its first all-electric SUV, the Li i8, on July 29. The Li i8 is available in three variants: Pro, Max, and Ultra, with starting prices of RMB 321,800, RMB 349,800, and RMB 369,800, respectively. The entry-level Li i8 features a battery pack with a capacity of 90.1 kWh, offering a CLTC range of 670 kilometers. The other two variants both come with a 97.8 kWh battery pack, delivering a CLTC range of 720 kilometers.
Tesla has also announced the launch of the six-seat Model Y L in China this fall. The upcoming launch of the Model Y L is expected to impact other six-seat and seven-seat SUV models in the Chinese market.
The rapid sales and market acceptance of the Onvo L90 contribute positively to Nio’s broader multi-brand strategy and profitability outlook in China’s fiercely competitive EV landscape. However, the intense competition is likely to pressure Li Auto and Tesla to innovate or adjust their pricing and offerings.
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