NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X : What’s the Difference?

In the world of premium EVs, the names Tesla and NIO probably stand out the most. These two companies have some serious models that offer some of the best performance out there.

In this article, we will compare two of these EVs, specifically, the NIO ES8 and the Tesla Model X in many aspects. Specifically, in their specs, price, performance, range, practicality, and more. So, buckle up because it will be a long drive.

NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X: Specs

Now, let’s first take a look at the specs of the ES8 and Model X. For this purpose, we created a small table where we listed the specs of these two models side by side, so you have a clearer perspective of which model is performing better in the key areas.

Model	NIO ES8	Tesla Model X
Variant	Regular	Long Range
Price	$62,270	$96,000
Battery (kWh)	75 kWh	100 kWh
Drive	AWD	AWD
WLTP Range (km)	465 km	560 km
Power Output (kW)	480 kW	500 kW
Acceleration (0-100 km/h)	4.1 seconds	3.8 seconds
Plug Types (AC/DC)	Type 2 & CCS2	Type 2 & CCS2
Max Charge Rate (AC/DC)	7/140	17/140
Cargo Space (liters)	654 liters	1,047 liters
Frunk Cargo Space	No	Yes
Length (mm)	5,099 mm	5,057 mm
Width (mm)	1,989 mm	1,999 mm
Height (mm)	1,750 mm	1,680 mm
Running Clearance	170 mm	168 mm
Wheelbase	3,070 mm	2,965 mm
Tow Rating	500 kg	750 kg
V2L	Yes	No
Warranty	3 years/120,000km	4 years/80,000 km
Battery Warranty	8 years/120,000 km	8 years/120,000 km
Loyalty Program	Yes	Yes

NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X: Price

The price of the vehicle is definitely the deciding factor when it comes to buying a certain model. You need to find a vehicle that is good for your budget. Cars are expensive and the more affordable they are, the better for you because you will save a lot of money in the process.

When it comes to the prices of both of these models, we can tell you right off the bat that they are very expensive.

The price for the base NIO ES8 starts at $62,270 and the starting price for the Tesla Model X starts at $96,000.

And as you can see these are some steep prices. However, the NIO ES8 is much cheaper compared to the Tesla Model X. About $34,000, which is honestly a lot of money.

What is worth noting is that these prices can go a lot in value after options. So, the NIO ES8 with options will set you back about $69,830.

While the Tesla Model X premium model starts at $130,000 and can reach up to $138,000.

Overall, both models are expensive but the Tesla Model X is definitely pricier.

Also, these prices are in China, so if you decide to import these cars, you will have to pay even more money depending on where you live. Since import fees vary from place to place.

NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X: Design and Interior

The exterior and interior design is very important when it comes to buying a certain model. This is the first thing that we are attracted to when buying a new car. The design is the thing that sells cars. So, how do these two cars perform?

Well, the NIO ES8 is your typical SUV. The ES8 has a very futuristic front end with DRL running lights at the top and on the bottom you have the high beams.

The design is sleek and made for squeezing every bit of range. The side profile is also streamlined with flush door handles that activate when you unlock the car. In the rear, you have a big light bar.

Overall, the design of the NIO ES8 is very good and modern. It is up to date and definitely worth checking it out.

The Tesla Model X on the other hand is a very old model that was introduced way back in 2015. And since then, the model has not been refreshed.

A key feature of the Tesla Model X are the falcon doors in the rear. This is probably the only feature that makes this model very special. But overall, the model is getting old and Tesla has to update it or replace it.

The interior in both of these models is rather good. They have plenty of room and comfort is not a problem with both vehicles. The cabins are filled with high-quality materials and the user experience is excellent.

They are also full of technology and offer plenty of options. What is worth noting is that the Tesla Model X was refreshed in the interior with a new dash and a new yoke steering on the Plaid model.

Overall, both models offer a lot when it comes to styling and interior features and comfort.

NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X: Power and Performance

Power and performance are vital parts of an EV. Especially EVs that are so expensive like the Tesla Model X and the NIO ES8. When you pay so much money, you just have to expect the performance that these EVs deliver.

The NIO ES8 produces a massive 643 hp and 840 N-m of torque. All this power is possible by the dual motor setup that this model has. The acceleration of the NIO ES8 is also very good. The ES8 accelerates in 4.4 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. This performance is the same on every model.

While the Tesla Model X has two variations. The standard version is outputting 500 kW, which is about 670 hp. This model delivers an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.0 seconds.

While the more powerful model is the Tesla Model X Plaid. This version is producing 1,020 hp, which is honestly the best performance that a vehicle can offer right now. 

The Tesla Model X Plaid delivers an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.3 seconds. This is basically faster than 99% of other EVs.

Considering this, we can say that this model, although so heavy it is one of the most powerful road vehicles and if performance is your top concern, this is the model you want to get!

NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X: Battery and Range

Battery and range in EVs should be a top priority before you decide to purchase one. You need an EV that will deliver an excellent range. You just don’t want to deal with range anxiety that will drain your nerves and make you regret buying this model. So, what are these models offering you to you as a buyer?

Well, with the NIO ES8, you get different options, depending on the battery you choose. The least range that you can get is about 465 km.

This is a good range but not something that we will recommend since this is a relatively small amount of range. We recommend going for a better battery pack. WIth these battery packs you can get up to 600 or 900 km respectively. And these are really solid numbers.

With the Tesla Model X, you get only one battery pack, which is about 100 kWh. This battery pack is good for 580 km in the standard long range version and up to 550 km in the Plaid model.

And as you can see, in this area, the NIO ES8 has an advantage over the Tesla Model X. 

NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X: Autopilot and Other Tech

One of the main features that modern EVs offer is the autopilot. The autopilot is a term that Tesla popularized in recent years with their announcements about creating fully self-driving vehicles.

So, is the Tesla Model X a self-driving vehicle? Well, not quite. This model, as well as the NIO ES8 have Level 2 autonomy. This is only a highway autonomy where the car is able to drive itself with minimal driver input but this doesn’t mean that the car can literally drive itself.

Behind this function is the adaptive cruise control. Basically this function gives you the ability to have an autopilot for the highway.

This function is part of the ADAS system. This system is the Advanced Driving Assistance System that packs many sensors, radars, and cameras. Then, complex algorithms are evaluating this data and the car makes instant decisions.

Other features that the ADAS system offers include blind spot monitoring, emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, parking assist, and many more features.

Overall, when it comes to these features, it really depends on how much you have to spend in order to activate all of these options. The more options you have, the safer your car will be.

NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X: Size and Body

Vehicle size is very important when it comes to shopping for a new vehicle. You need a vehicle that is very practical and will serve you well when it comes to carrying people around and also carry cargo in the rear.

And we can tell you immediately that both of these models perform really well. The cabin inside of these models is basically huge.

There is plenty of headroom and legroom available with both the NIO ES8 and the Tesla Model X. Seats are extremely adjustable and the materials are very premium.

These models also come in a variety of configurations. For example, the Tesla Model X comes as a 5, 6, or 7 seater.

While with the NIO ES8, you have the option to choose between 6 or 7 seats.

Luggage compartment is also very good. With the Tesla Model X, you have a standard frunk where you can store charging cables or a small bag. While in the rear, you can store up to 1,047 liters.

While in the NIO ES8, you don’t have a frunk and you have a cargo area for storing up to 650 liters. And if you fold the rear seats you can release up to 1,000 liters of cargo space.

Overall, both of these models offer an unmatched practicality since they are so large compared to the competition in this segment.

NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X: Safety

Although many people don’t pay too much attention to safety, we can tell you that safety is really important and you shouldn’t compromise on it. You need to find a vehicle that meets all of the latest standards and offers the best safety for your money!

These models implement an ADAS system as we noted. This is a special system that uses radars, cameras, and sensors to monitor the surroundings of the car. This system makes sure that you are protected 100% of the time.

The more functions you have optioned, the more safety is added to the car.

Nevertheless, these models were also crash-tested pretty rigorously. Both the NIO ES8 and the Tesla Model X were tested by the Euro NCAP, which is the highest governing body when it comes to safety.

Both models got clean 5/5 scores overall. And for a good reason, both models are built like tanks. These vehicles are probably the safest cars that you can get right now on the market.

So, overall, which one you choose, you will definitely not make a mistake in this aspect.

NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X: Warranties

Warranty plays a big role when it comes to shopping for a new car. You need to have good coverage when it comes to buying a new car because who knows what can happen.

What is good for both NIO and Tesla is that they offer good battery warranty. Which is about 8 years or 160,000 km.

Vehicle warranty on the other hand is a completely different story. With the NIO ES8, you have a 3 year or 120,000 km, while with the Tesla Model X, you have 4 years or 80,000 km.

And as you can see, although you have 1 more year with the Tesla, you have 40,000 km less vehicle warranty compared to the NIO model.

This is not a big factor when choosing a new car but is definitely worth taking into consideration.

NIO ES8 vs Tesla Model X: Additional Considerations

There are no important considerations that you need to take when it comes to buying one of these two models.

Maybe besides the fact that the Tesla is a pretty old model and is getting pretty dated.

Final Thoughts 

Overall, both the NIO ES8 and the Tesla Model X are solid electric cars. These models are the prime luxury that you can get in the full size SUV market.

However, the Tesla Model X is very old and also very expensive. And by expensive, we really mean it. This model is $30,000+ more expensive compared to the ES8.

And for this price, you can get a fully loaded ES8 with 900 km of range. This is why we prefer the NIO ES8 before the Tesla Model X.

It is newer and has a lot more to offer to you as a buyer. That’s why we think that you should go for the NIO ES8.