Mid-size electric SUV. We test the Nio EL6. An electric SUV from the Chinese brand that replaces the larger SUV.
The young brand Nio continues to introduce new models. We recently drove the ET5 Touring for the first time, and it is now the turn of the EL6, a hefty SUV with the same specs. Rich standard equipment, plenty of space and the battery exchange system attract potential customers. What do the driving characteristics add to this?
Another new Nio, how does the EL6 compare to the other models?
Nio will celebrate its second anniversary at the end of next year. It has two ‘Tesla-like’ models, the ET5 and ET7, and there is the 653 hp EL7, an SUV that is six centimeters longer than the EL6 that we are going to drive now. Pricey horsepower and centimeters by the way: it is no less than €21,000 more expensive, has the same battery capacity and, strangely enough, slightly less luggage space.
So the EL6 is a better choice?
When we get behind the wheel of the EL6, we can immediately conclude that the interior looks at least as opulent as that of its bigger brother. Yes, Nio has done everything it can to please its occupants. To make the driver even more comfortable, the seat should be lowered a notch and the steering wheel a little further inwards. That doesn’t change the fact that you sit royally on the fourteen-way electrically adjustable seat with heating and an air cushion system in the backrest. The dashboard looks beautiful, is composed of high-quality materials and is free of ugly ventilation grilles. The air flows from a wide slot and is adjustable via the infotainment system with 12.8-inch AMOLED display. And there may not be Bose or Harman Kardon on any of the 23 speakers, but you do have a 1,000 Watt amplifier and Dolby Atmos. Just look at the price list, we will now discuss driving.
Does the EL6 also drive well?
We steer along the fabulous Deutsche Alpenstrasse near Lake Tegernsee in Bavaria. First impressions: it is quiet, the body and chassis feel stiff and the chassis appears refined. The movements of the steel coil springs are damped by electronically controlled shock absorbers that are noticeably stiffer in sport mode. The steering also feels heavier in that driving mode.
How heavy is this electric SUV?
Speaking of heavy: we are on the road with a 2.3 ton SUV (the version with a 75 kWh battery is only 20 kg lighter) and you will of course notice that. The same mass also provides comfort and from that perspective it is quite remarkable how easily this Nio overcomes the winding mountain roads. After steering for a while we arrive at the A8 motorway, from Munich to Salzburg. We move quickly and smoothly to the third lane and join a big A6 Avant. It apparently has a powerful six-burner diesel in the front, but we manage to keep up with it to almost 200 km/h with our 490 hp. And then the tranquility is again noticeable, as is the stability and staying on course. Bearing in mind that this brand has only been building cars since 2016, that is a rather impressive achievement.
So it drives well, a Nio EL6 and it has a lot on it, what else is striking?
In addition to a lot of luxury, the EL6 also has an armada of safety and assistance systems, which is reflected in the three bumps at the front of the roof. Nio calls that the watchtower. The Lidar sensors are located in the middle elevation, which allows them to look far ahead. Activate the cruise control and the systems take over all control, but you can also choose to only use the adaptive cruise, without the semi-autonomous driving. Unfortunately, all this is accompanied by many beeps and the occasional brutal steering intervention. The buttons on the left and right of the steering wheel have no inscription, you have to find out for yourself what they are for. You can adjust the mirrors and steering wheel via the various menus on the screen. But they are also for the cruise control and the audio, it does not work really intuitively. The infotainment system runs on an OS developed in-house that receives regular updates. It looks nice, works quickly and its own navigation system includes any charging stops when planning a long trip. Strangely enough, the system does not automatically take you to its own battery changing station (see box), so you have to figure that out yourself. Furthermore, there is little serious criticism to be made of the EL6, it simply feels well constructed.
How much does the Nio EL6 cost?
Compared to the competition, the price of just under €68,000 is competitive and if you buy this Nio without a battery, you pay €56,000. The first maintenance is only at 200,000 km. There are no dealers, so you can contact Kwikfit for any tire changes; In addition, there is our own mobile service team.