The Onvo L90 marks Nio’s latest foray into the full-size, three-row SUV segment, offering a compelling blend of luxury features and accessible pricing. Launched officially in 2025, this impressive EV builds on the foundation laid by its mid-size sibling, the L60, but carves its own path with components borrowed from Nio’s high-end ET9.
Starting at an attractive 179,800 yuan (approximately 25,000 USD) under Nio’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, the L90 aims to redefine expectations for family-oriented electric vehicles in China. However, recent reports indicate that Onvo sales have been impacted by public opinion, prompting Nio’s CEO to outline a comeback strategy. Despite this, the L90 already boasts significant traction, with 40,000 units sold in its first four months.
What truly sets the L90 apart is its robust engineering. It runs on a cutting-edge 900V high-voltage platform and incorporates the same rear-mounted motor found in the luxurious ET9. While it’s ready for Nio’s convenient battery-swapping infrastructure, the L90′s design philosophy emphasizes a smooth, efficient ride over raw, aggressive performance. This focus on comfort is immediately apparent in the dual-motor variant we tested, which features adaptive air suspension.
Exterior Design: Practical Elegance
The L90 presents a tall, streamlined silhouette, prioritizing interior volume over overly aggressive lines. Unlike the more coupe-like stance of the L60, the L90’s roofline extends flat through the C-pillar. This design choice maximizes third-row headroom and cargo space, making it a truly practical family vehicle. You’ll find Onvo’s signature design language here, including a full-width rear light bar, sleek flush door handles, and a minimalist front fascia devoid of a traditional grille.
Visually, the L90 maintains balanced proportions despite its substantial size. When the adaptive air suspension lowers the vehicle, it looks less bulky and more grounded. Key exterior details include LED matrix headlights, stylish 21-inch wheels, and an integrated rear roof spoiler. With a drag coefficient of 0.25 Cd, it’s impressively aerodynamic for an SUV of this stature.
One big differentiator is the L90’s reliance on swappable battery technology, a clever solution to range anxiety. This contrasts with vehicles like the Li L9, which uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as a range extender. Removing the need for a front engine allows for a remarkably spacious 240-liter front trunk, or “frunk,” capable of swallowing two 20-inch suitcases. In the back, there’s an additional 430 liters of trunk space.
Interior Comfort: A Family Retreat
Step inside the L90, and you’ll find a cabin designed for up to six adults across its three rows. The materials impress with comfortable leather upholstery and soft-touch surfaces throughout. The front seats offer 12-way power adjustment for optimal positioning, while the second-row “zero-gravity” seats provide 4-way power adjustment and wide headrests that increase contact area by 15% for enhanced relaxation. Even the third row is genuinely usable, offering 962 mm of vertical height and a generous 38 degrees of recline.
For entertainment, back-seat passengers get a massive 17.3-inch 3K ceiling-mounted screen and an 8-inch rear touchscreen with dual interface modes. The Onvo Sound system delivers an immersive audio experience with 23 speakers and a powerful 2048W output, supporting 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos. Long road trips are made easier with an 8.86-liter onboard refrigerator in the center console, which can stay active even when the vehicle is locked, maintaining temperatures between 0 and 50°C and using only about 2 kWh per week.
The driver is treated to a high-tech cockpit featuring a 35-inch AR-HUD and a crisp 17.2-inch 3K central touchscreen. This system, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P processor, runs Onvo’s Coconut 2.0.0 software, backed by 24GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage.
Driving Experience: Smooth and Composed
On the road, the Onvo L90 is all about stability and efficiency. Acceleration is responsive, but it’s a gentle push rather than an aggressive shove. The dual-motor system churns out around 440 kW. While it shares its rear motor with the ET9, the L90’s tuning prioritizes smoothness over sheer performance. In standard mode, throttle response is measured, creating a relaxed feel even with firm pedal inputs.
Switch to sport mode, and the L90 awakens with immediate torque delivery and linear acceleration, though it still feels restrained compared to more sport-focused electric SUVs. Noise insulation is particularly impressive. Even at 120 km/h on the highway, the cabin remains remarkably quiet, with minimal wind or tire noise. This aligns with the overall serene driving experience. For more on high-performance EVs, check out coverage on the Xiaomi YU7.
The adaptive air suspension system is a game-changer, actively adjusting damping to smooth out rough roads. In comfort mode, the L90 glides over expansion joints and imperfections with ease. On winding roads, the active damping technology helps keep body roll in check for such a large SUV. Many big SUVs can feel like a boat over bumps, but the L90 delivers a surprisingly controlled and composed ride. Braking feels natural and predictable. Ultimately, the L90 prioritizes composure and predictability, making it an ideal family-oriented vehicle.
The Verdict: Reimagining the Family EV
The Onvo L90 successfully positions itself as a full-size family EV, offering an extended range, the immense convenience of swappable batteries, and a thoroughly modern technology suite. Its starting price of 179,800 yuan (approximately 25,000 USD) with the BaaS model makes premium features like adaptive air suspension and ET9-level motor technology remarkably accessible.
More than just a larger L60, the L90 truly delivers on the promise of usable third-row seating, efficient 900V charging, and a spacious, upscale interior. Its composed ride and thoughtful family-centric design clearly demonstrate Onvo’s ambition to redefine what Chinese households can expect from an entry-level full-size EV. With Onvo, Nio is not just expanding its lineup, it’s expanding the possibilities for electric family transportation. This launch marks an exciting moment, especially as Nio celebrates its 800,000th car production milestone, coinciding with the L90’s unveiling.
