TEST – Chinese newcomer Nio ET5 overpowers these established electric lease cars

rewrite this content and keep HTML tags Nio has only been active in the Netherlands for a short time, but is already making good progress. In this comparison test of electric business cars, the Nio ET5 competes against already proven competitors, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Kia EV6, the Polestar 2 and the Tesla Model 3, the benchmark in its class. Should the Nio ET5 drip or is it not going so well? Nio tries to entice the customer with its Power Swap Stations; At a handful of locations in the Netherlands you can exchange the (empty) battery for a full one in a few minutes. In addition, the Nio ET5 has a competitive entry price of 50,700 euros compared to the other four test cars. However, for that amount you won’t make any progress. You have a choice: either you buy the battery (but no one does that), or you rent it from Nio. For 48 months you pay 13,872 euros in rent for the 100 kWh battery pack (net: 91.0 kWh). If you order the ET5 with 20-inch wheels and the Comfort package (including seat ventilation), it is still cheaper than the Ford, Kia and Polestar. More driving tests of electric cars? You can find them in our weekly newsletter: Faultless finish The Nio ET5 also makes a very high-quality impression. The finish is flawless, and even the top of the trunk is lined with thick carpet. This is not a given with other (German) premium mid-range cars… Up to high speed, the ET5 seems to float over the road, partly thanks to the slippery body (Cd value: 0.24) and double glazing. When you step in, you are welcomed by a pleasant scent and tasteful lighting. You sit in a pleasantly shaped chair with firm padding. However, the ET5 is no space wonder, in the back you will soon sit with your head against the panoramic glass roof. But the Nio is not as tight as the Polestar or Tesla. Tip Toyota Aygo X now from just €249 per month Want to see more of this compact crossover?Compose your package Digital doll The ET5 has a Nomi Halo operating system as standard. For an extra 600 euros you get Nomi Mate, the small digital doll on top of the dashboard, which provides entertainment on the road with about a hundred different facial features. Sometimes you see the cuddly little guy blowing bubbles and other times he plays a sweetie on his guitar. Nomi listens better than the voice control of the Kia or (especially) the Ford, but Dutch is not yet part of the language package (we are working hard on that). Like a torpedo The controls offer room for refinement. This reacts indirectly, gives a synthetic feeling and becomes too heavy on the highway. A small steering correction therefore requires an unnecessary amount of effort. Yet the highway is the domain of the ET5. When you have activated the Sport Plus program, the 490 hp sedan goes like a torpedo. The Nio is number 1 on the ‘Comfort’ test section, but not on the ‘energy consumption’ section. We drove an average of 23.7 kWh/100 km, which translates into a range of 384 kilometers. Nio ET5 passes with flying colors The Nio ET5 passes with flying colors, leaving the popular and established Ford Mustang Mach-E and Polestar 2 behind. The car delivers excellent performance as long as the road continues straight. As soon as a bend looms, the Nio likes to take on the challenge at a slightly lower speed. But the build quality is up to par and even including 4 years of battery rental, the fully equipped ET5 is a competitively priced car. You can find the complete comparison test in Auto Review 09/2023!