On March 9, NIO unveiled official images of its NT2.5 5566 series for 2025 and will start taking pre-orders the following day.

These four facelifted models will bring a host of refinements and upgrades compared to the 2024 versions.

These changes reflect NIO’s commitment to enhancing user experience, improving autonomous driving capabilities, and refining design aesthetics. Let’s explore the key differences between the two model years.

Source: NIO

Exterior and Design Enhancements

The 2025 models introduce subtle yet impactful design tweaks. The front bumper and fog light areas have been reshaped, moving away from the triangular design to a more vertical bar aesthetic.

The daytime running lights now feature a parallelogram shape, replacing the previous boomerang-style units. These modifications contribute to a more aggressive and modern look, while also improving aerodynamics.

Source: NIO

Additionally, the Champion Edition badge has been introduced across the lineup, distinguishing the refreshed models from their predecessors.

The matte black exterior color option has also been added, catering to users who prefer a more premium and performance-oriented aesthetic.

Interior and Technology Upgrades

One of the most notable changes in the 2025 NT2.5 5566 models is the shift to horizontal center screens, replacing the vertical ones used in the 2024 versions. This adjustment aligns with NIO’s flagship ET9 sedan and enhances usability for drivers.

Source: NIO

The autonomous driving system has received a significant boost with the integration of NIO’s in-house NX9031 chip, built on 5nm architecture.

This chip improves data processing speed and accuracy, making automated driving functions more reliable and responsive.

Furthermore, the Sky OS vehicle-wide operating system has been fully implemented across the lineup, ensuring seamless connectivity and enhanced AI-driven interactions.

The NOMI AI assistant has also been upgraded to support more advanced voice interactions, making in-car communication more intuitive.

Source: NIO

A foldable table integrated into the back of the front passenger seat provides rear passengers with a functional workspace.

The seats have been upgraded with premium leather upholstery similar to that found in the flagship ET9 sedan, offering a refined texture.

Additionally, NIO has introduced an ambient lighting feature that casts a soft illumination onto the floor at night when the doors are opened, improving nighttime visibility when stepping out of the vehicle.

Performance and Battery Innovations

Mechanically, the 2025 NT2.5 5566 models retain their dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, delivering 360 kW of total output.

Both versions support 180 kW fast charging and are compatible with NIO’s battery-swapping stations, ensuring convenient and efficient energy replenishment.

The 2025 NIO NT2.5 5566 models bring minor improvements in battery performance, particularly in terms of efficiency and range, according to newly issued automobile energy consumption labels from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC).

Source: NIO

The labels provide insight into the energy specifications of NIO’s 2025 ET5 and ET5T models, which are expected to set the standard for the broader 5566 lineup.

The 75kWh battery variant of the ET5 equipped with 19-inch standard tires now delivers a CLTC range of 585 km, an increase from the previous 560 km, improving energy efficiency by 4.5 percent.

Similarly, the 100kWh battery version with the same tires extends its range from 710 km to 740 km, marking a 4.2 percent enhancement.

Source: NIO

The ET5T models show similar improvement, with the 75kWh version increasing its range from 530 km to 550 km, while the 100kWh battery variant now reaches 710 km, up from 680 km.

For models fitted with 20-inch sport tires, range improvements are more moderate. The ET5 with a 75kWh battery now offers 520 km, compared to 500 km previously, while the 100kWh version has gained an additional 15 km, reaching a total of 655 km.

The ET5T with a 75kWh battery has improved its range from 475 km to 490 km, and the 100kWh version has seen an increase from 610 km to 625 km.