NIO ONVO L80 Opens Pre-Sales and Immediately Pressures the Tesla Model Y in China

NIO’s ONVO brand started taking preorders for the L80, a brand new five-seat electric SUV based on the same architecture as the larger L90. Official sales start on May 15th. Early buyers can expect to pay 245,800 yuan ($35,949) for the base model, which includes the battery pack as standard, or 159,800 yuan ($23,371) for the battery-as-a-service plan. That makes the L80 not only a fascinating alternative, but also a relatively reasonable one, as it is currently priced 17,700 yuan ($2,588) lower than a Tesla Model Y in China.

The size of the L80 is what immediately sets it apart. With dimensions of 5,145 millimeters long, 1,998 millimeters wide, and 1,786 millimeters high, as well as a wheelbase of 3,110 millimeters, this vehicle will feel more spacious inside than a Tesla Model Y while remaining compact and practical enough to manage city streets and interstate driving. NIO’s engineers built the L80 with a steel-aluminum hybrid body, and they were able to manufacture 84 percent of the car out of high-strength materials, including 27.4 kg of ultra-high-strength steel rated at 2,000 megapascals, which is pretty serious stuff. The torsional rigidity is 38,150 newton-meters per degree, and the curb weight is around 2,250 kg.

The L80’s power options are straightforward, with the rear-wheel drive variant powered by a single 340 kilowatt motor that manages to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. The all-wheel drive model adds an extra 100 kilowatt motor up front for a total of 440 kilowatts, reducing the sprint time to an impressive 4.7 seconds. Both versions use a 900-volt electrical architecture, which should improve energy delivery and minimize usage. The rear-drive model’s real-world efficiency is said to be as low as 14.3 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers.


The L80’s range comes from a next-generation ternary lithium battery pack. Official figures put the maximum range on the CLTC cycle at up to 615 kilometers, which should be more than enough for most daily commutes and even a few weekend trips without too many stops in between, and the best part is that owners will have access to NIO’s dedicated battery-swap network throughout China. You can replace that battery in just three minutes at a dedicated station, which beats queuing at a public charger any day of the week.




The L80 is designed with family comfort in mind, as well as functional storage. The second row seats can recline to 135 degrees and have heating, ventilation, and massaging capabilities, just like the front seats. A tri-zone climate system with hidden vents and really high-grade C95 air filtration keeps the cabin quiet and clean. Then there are the storage compartments, which number 53 and are spread throughout the vehicle. When the back seats are folded down, you have an astonishing 2,840 litres of cargo capacity. That appears to be the best in class for any five-seat SUV available in China right now, and to make things a little more comfortable, an 8.8-liter powered cooler sits between the front seats, allowing you to keep your drinks and food chilled on extended road journeys.


A 17.2-inch 3K screen in the center of the cockpit handles everything from navigation and media to vehicle functions, so technology never seems overwhelming. The audio system is insane, with 23 speakers delivering a staggering 2,048 watts, 7.1.4 surround sound and Dolby Atmos support, and adaptive headrest speakers that route music right to your seat, all powered by NIO’s Full Domain Operating System, SkyOS. Buyers can choose between two assisted driving setups: one that uses NIO’s own Shenji NX9031 chip paired with all sensors and LiDAR plus the latest World Model software for super smooth highway and parking, or a pure vision system built around NVIDIA’s Orin X chip for those looking to save some money. Both options provide 60 driver aid features, including end-to-end emergency braking from one end of the vehicle to the other.
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