In November 2014. NIO was born, dedicated to creating high-performance intelligent electric vehicles and providing an exceptional user experience. From the moment of its inception, discussions and debates about the company have never ceased. The phrase "this year at the earliest, next year at the latest" is brought up every year by countless people. However, with strong resilience, NIO weathered the tough times and finally saw the light of day, becoming a force in China’s emerging auto industry that cannot be ignored.
As someone who is not a NIO user, just an ordinary bystander, I’ve always had my doubts. Why is it that NIO, with its not-so-low prices, has achieved a 50% user referral rate that other automakers envy? How has it become a darling of the capital markets, repeatedly overcoming crises? It wasn't until I had an in-depth experience with the NIO EC6 that I believe I found the answers.
The moment I got the keys, I spent a long time walking around the car, solidifying my belief that, among all the new car manufacturers, NIO and Li Auto have the most refined aesthetics. The EC6 is stunning from every angle. Its use of trendy design elements is restrained, avoiding the trap of making all new energy vehicles look the same. The iconic split headlights have been further refined in the new generation EC6. with narrower upper light strips that significantly enhance the car’s sense of delicacy.
The side profile is equally impressive. As the coupe version of the ES6. its fastback roofline perfectly showcases its sporty and youthful style. Remarkably, despite being a mid-sized SUV over 4.8 meters long, it doesn’t feel bulky at all. The nearly perfect proportions make it appealing to both men and women. The only regret I have about the side of the car is that it doesn’t feature frameless doors, which I think should be standard for a new electric coupe SUV.
The rear of the NIO EC6 is just as impressive, with a large electric spoiler and wrap-around taillights further emphasizing its youthful and sporty positioning. You can manually close the spoiler when you want to keep a low profile, or open it to experience higher downforce when you feel like indulging in speed and passion.
Upon entering the driver’s seat of the NIO EC6. I immediately felt a sense of superior quality. First, there’s the design: simple but not plain. The layered dashboard combined with a two-tone color scheme creates a relaxed and comfortable driving atmosphere. The large central control screen and NOMI, the AI assistant, enhance the car's sense of technology. I recommend all NIO buyers opt for the NOMI system, as it adds a lively touch to the cabin. The materials and craftsmanship are flawless, with soft leather covering every surface your body touches, and the layered trim on the dashboard adds a touch of luxury to the interior.
The steering wheel sticks to a traditional three-spoke design rather than going for an exaggerated half-circle look. The leather is smooth and feels excellent in hand. The Banyan car system showcases powerful performance, with smooth operation and a wealth of features that are sure to satisfy. As the only brand among the new manufacturers that has also made smartphones, NIO’s UI design and user interface are very intuitive, with a zero learning curve.
The integrated seats not only look high-end but also offer excellent ergonomic design, ensuring comfort while providing good support. They include all the features you’d expect for comfort, such as heating, ventilation, and massage.
As the creator of the “Queen’s Seat,” NIO has not skipped this feature in the EC6. While some online critics claim it’s more of a gimmick than a practical feature, I’m sure they’ve never actually experienced it. On long drives with family or friends, the front passenger seat is incredibly comfortable, raising the happiness level of the entire journey.
For Chinese families, the importance of the rear seats cannot be overstated. The EC6 has a wheelbase of 2915mm, offering ample legroom. Although the headroom is slightly reduced compared to the ES6 due to the roof design, sitting in the back seat never feels oppressive. The rear seats are just as comfortable as the front ones, with standard heating and optional ventilation and massage functions. Notably, the rear seatback angle can be electrically adjusted, which is a generous feature for this class.
Many people worry that a fastback SUV might not have enough trunk space. While the roof design does take up some trunk space, making it less ideal compared to the ES6. it’s still perfectly adequate in practice. With the rear seats folded flat, there’s plenty of room for two people to camp inside the car. And at night, looking up at the stars through the large panoramic sunroof offers an unforgettable experience.
The NIO EC6. equipped with dual motors, has impressive acceleration. Its 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds is explosive for a mid-sized family SUV. If you want to be the first off the line at a red light, this car will not disappoint.
Beyond its power, the EC6’s chassis tuning also demonstrates a high level of skill. Whether on city streets, highways, or unpaved roads, the chassis provides a solid and stable feel. Even during aggressive driving, the wheels grip the road like magnets, and combined with natural and precise steering, the driving experience is more enjoyable than ever.
I criticized the lack of frameless doors when discussing the exterior, but the EC6 redeems itself somewhat in terms of noise insulation. The powertrain is smooth and quiet, and the double-glazed windows block out most of the noise, creating a calm and serene driving environment.
The intelligent driving system is another highlight of the NIO EC6. Its hardware is top-notch, featuring 1 lidar, 5 millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic radars, and 11 cameras, all working together to build a comprehensive intelligent driving hardware system. The Aquila NIO Super Sensing System can be equipped with an L3 level driver assistance system, enabling full-speed adaptive cruise control on both urban roads and highways. With the help of high-precision maps, entering and exiting ramps is smooth and natural, placing NIO at the forefront of new car manufacturers in the field of intelligent driving.
The EC6 model I tested is the 100kWh version, with a CLTC range of 630 km. In real-world testing, it achieved over 80% of that range, which is ideal, meaning there’s no need to worry about range anxiety even on long trips. Oh, and since it’s a NIO, it supports battery swapping, so long journeys are no problem at all.
After a deep dive into the NIO EC6. I’ve found the answers to my initial questions. The incredible user referral rate is partly due to NIO’s extreme care for its customers and partly due to the strong product performance backing it up. Take this EC6. for example; it’s a well-rounded warrior. Although the top model costs a hefty 416.000 RMB, I think it’s worth it. With high aesthetics, full features, and a strong brand identity, if you have the budget and want to experience a cutting-edge product, this car is a solid choice.
It’s no surprise that NIO has become a favorite in the capital markets. With its strong product foundation, it is currently the brand with the most extensive product line, the most comprehensive ecosystem, and the highest user loyalty among the new car manufacturers—there is no other. Coupled with the personal charm of its founder, William Li, I believe it deserves the attention and favor of the capital markets.