On August 5, NIO founder, chairman, and CEO William Li announced on Weibo that within just three days of its launch and deliveries, the Onvo L90 had already broken into the weekly Top 3 for large SUV sales. According to a ranking released by automotive blogger covering July 28 to August 3, the Onvo L90 delivered 1,976 units within 72 hours, placing third among large SUVs, behind only the AITO M8 and AITO M9. Notably, this figure surpassed the combined sales of the Li Auto L9 and L8 during the same period by 775 units. However, the list itself had some categorization issues, as models like the Li Auto L8 and AITO M7, which are technically mid-to-large SUVs, were included under the “large SUV” category.
Product Overview
The Onvo L90 was officially launched on July 31, available in six-seat and seven-seat versions, with Pro, Max, and Ultra trims. Pricing starts at 265,800 RMB for the six-seat model (or 179,800 RMB with BaSS battery subscription) and 271,800 RMB for the seven-seat model (or 185,800 RMB with BaSS). Positioned as a large SUV, the L90 is built on NIO’s NT3.0 platform, uses a pure electric powertrain, supports battery swapping, and offers both 2+2+2 and 2+3+2 seating layouts.
Size and Performance
As Onvo’s large SUV, the L90 measures 5,145 × 1,998 × 1,766 mm, with a wheelbase of 3,110 mm—the largest wheelbase-to-length ratio in its class. It is offered in five exterior colors: Cloud Gold, Cliff Brown, Silver Dawn, Silent Black, and Snow Peak White. Built on a 900V architecture, it comes in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants. The RWD version uses the same 340 kW motor as the NIO ET9, while the AWD version delivers up to 440 kW. Both are equipped with an 85 kWh battery pack, offering CLTC ranges of 605 km (RWD) and 570 km (AWD). Additionally, the L90 features a 240L powered front trunk, capable of holding two 20-inch suitcases, a child’s suitcase, and a backpack, or one 30-inch large suitcase.
Competitive Landscape
The Onvo L90 is NIO’s largest SUV to date and its first in the full-size SUV category. It enters a segment that includes pure electric models such as the AITO M9 (from 509,800 RMB), Hongqi E-HS9 (from 509,800 RMB), Hyper HL EV (from 269,800 RMB), and Li Auto i8 (from 321,800 RMB). It also faces competition from strong hybrid contenders like the Li Auto L9, Lynk & Co 900, Deepal S09, and the upcoming Geely Galaxy M9, all of which are formidable players in the large SUV market.
Strategic Significance
Onvo is NIO’s sub-brand targeting mainstream families and plays a critical role in the company’s multi-brand strategy. By offering competitively priced, well-equipped models, Onvo aims to attract first-time buyers and cost-conscious upgraders, driving sales volume to achieve economies of scale. This in turn helps lower production costs, improve margins, and support NIO’s goal of achieving quarterly profitability in 2025.
Model Lineup
Currently, Onvo offers two models—the L60, priced between 206,900 and 255,900 RMB, and the L90, priced between 265,800 and 299,800 RMB. The L90 offers clear advantages over the L60 despite being only about 60,000 RMB more expensive: greater space, stronger performance, longer range, and a more premium interior. These factors give it strong potential to become a breakout hit. Still, the initial delivery surge is partly due to concentrated early orders. Whether the L90 can sustain strong momentum long-term will depend on market validation.
