NIO ET5 TOURING LONG RANGE DRIVING RANGE TEST

When you push the NIO ET5 Touring hardest, the driving range logically drops. On the highway, at speeds around 120 km/h and in temperatures around 15 degrees, consumption ranged between 17.2 and 19.4 kWh per 100 kilometers. This translates to an estimated driving range of 523 km to 464 km.

When we push the limits on the Ardennes inner roads and start driving really sporty, consumption rises to 21 kWh per 100 km. In this scenario, we end up with a minimum estimated driving range of 429 km. This is a very usable and acceptable range for even the most demanding driving conditions, taking full advantage of the impressive acceleration of 4 seconds in Sport+ mode.

However, the ET5 Touring also delivered surprising results in terms of efficiency. In quieter driving, especially in city traffic and on country roads, the NIO achieved exceptionally low consumption figures. After a drive through city traffic, we recorded consumption of just 14.1 kWh per 100 kilometers. It is to be noted, however, that I was able to drive quietly in the city, without any significant traffic jams. Based on the 90 kWh usable capacity, this amounts to an estimated driving range of 638 km. Even on a quiet drive on Ardennes inner roads, consumption dropped to a nice 14 kWh, which equates to an estimated driving range of about 643 km. With this, the NIO ET5 Touring exceeds the official WLTP value of 560 km in practice.

The NIO ET5 Touring is a car of many contrasts. On the outside, it scores high with a sporty, handsome design line. I think it is on the level of a BMW 3 Series Touring in terms of looks. The sporty character is emphasized by the diffuser looks, roof spoiler and recessed door handles. The only aesthetic drawback is the “hump” above the windshield, which houses cameras and the Lidar sensor. This is functional, but “present.

In the interior, the materials stand out, with a mix of a Scandinavian-looking fabric on the door panels and a synthetic-feeling leather look on the seats. Here we miss the premium feel of real leather. The cockpit has two rectangular, generic screens that are not seamlessly integrated, but the software itself is fast, intuitive and works excellently. The seating position is high and offers excellent visibility, similar to a Tesla. The suspension is comfortable, although there was some rattling in the back of the test car. The main drawback while driving is the Pilot Assist: the system is too meddlesome when changing lanes, with the steering wheel working against it, and the adaptive cruise control sometimes brakes far too early. On the positive side is the ability to personalize driving settings, including regenerative braking and the accurate 360° camera when parking.

I haven’t done a charging test, but I can tell you that AC charging goes at a rate of 11 kW. DC charging goes at a rate of 125 kW or 180 kW. The battery comes in two versions with different max charge rates. Fast charging from 10% to 80% then takes 40 or 26 minutes, respectively.

So, what is the conclusion after this extensive field test? The NIO ET5 Touring is a car of contrasts. On the one hand, you have the impressive acceleration and a modern, fresh design. The software is fast and the consumption combined with the very large battery is top notch. This gets you to a minimum range of around 429 km. This in sporty driving on country roads and highway driving. In town without heavy traffic or casual driving on country roads, I was at a range of around 643 km, which is even above the WLTP value. What I also found positive were the many possibilities to personalize the driving settings, the seating position with a good overview and the large panaramic roof. We did the test in November in reasonably mild temperatures of around 15 degrees and dry weather.