2026 ET5 Range Arrives Featuring a New Special Edition

NIO officially launched the 2026 NIO ET5 and ET5T today. Both models are priced starting at 298,000 RMB(~$43283), or from 190,000 RMB(~$27597) with the BaaS battery subscription plan.

In addition, NIO also unveiled the 2026 ET5 and ET5T Nature Wonder Edition, priced from 310,000 RMB(~$45026), or from 202,000 RMB(~$ 29340) with the BaaS plan.

The 2026 ET5 and ET5T feature upgrades across three key areas: design, comfort features, and intelligence.

In terms of exterior, the new models are available with an upgraded Moon 3.0 appearance package. A newly added driver assistance indicator light is integrated into the exterior mirrors, maintaining a seamless look with the side turn signals.

Inside, both models come standard with Nappa leather seats and a microfiber suede headliner. The standard Comfort Package also includes extended front seat cushions, front seat ventilation and massage, heated steering wheel, rear seat heating, a smart fragrance system, and anion purification.

On the intelligence front, the new models are equipped with the Cedar S 1.4.6 system and come standard with NIO’s self-developed Shenji NX9031 autonomous driving chip, supporting the latest version of the NIO World Model (NWM).

As for the newly launched Nature Wonder Edition, it is offered in two exterior colors — Starry Green and Cloud White — along with two interior color schemes: Snow White and Pearl White paired with Tortoiseshell Brown.

The main difference between the special edition and the standard models lies in its exclusive 20-inch multi-spoke Fengyu wheels, Frost Silver brake calipers, and more distinctive visual identifiers, including exclusive badges, emblems, and decals.

As the two lowest-priced products under the NIO brand, the ET5 series has always been a key driver of the brand’s sales growth.

In 2024, the NIO ET5 and ET5T recorded annual sales of 26,510 units and 50,869 units respectively, accounting for 34.9% of NIO’s total annual sales (221,970 units), making them the brand’s best-selling models.

Looking at sales trends, the market performance of the NIO ET5/ET5T duo has shown some fluctuations. On one hand, consistently hot-selling models like the Xiaomi SU7 have a highly overlapping target audience with the ET5/ET5T. On the other hand, an increasing number of station wagons entering the market will continue to squeeze the market space for the ET5/ET5T.

Data shows that in 2025, the annual sales of the two models fell to 16,411 units and 46,877 units respectively, and their share of the brand’s total sales dropped to 19.4%. Entering 2026, the NIO ET5’s monthly sales for the first two months have fallen below 500 units, while ET5T sales have also dropped to under 2,000 units.

With this annual refresh, beyond some interior and exterior updates, it remains to be seen whether the addition of the Shenji chip will help the ET5 series maintain its market competitiveness.