Discover what it’s like to drive the NIO ET5 in Dubai. A futuristic, feature-rich EV that blends comfort, tech, and performance.
Dubai is a city that demands a car with charisma, and the NIO ET5 certainly delivers. I recently had the chance to test drive the ET5 in Dubai, and from design to drive, it’s a model that impressed at almost every turn. Designed to stand toe-to-toe with Tesla’s premium offerings, the ET5 brings its own distinctive personality to the UAE’s growing electric vehicle scene.
Sleek Looks That Belong on Sheikh Zayed Road
First impressions matter, and the ET5 nails it. Frameless doors, sharp LED headlamps, a ducktail spoiler, and sweeping rooflines all contribute to an exterior that’s aggressive yet elegant. It holds its own visually against Dubai’s luxury fleet. Rolling on 20-inch wheels with coloured Brembo brake calipers, it turned heads in JBR and felt right at home outside Dubai Mall.
Comfort That Cocooned Me From the Heat
Inside, NIO’s “second living room” approach lives up to its name. With ventilated massage front seats, a fragrance system, and recycled eco-fabric that felt as upscale as it is sustainable, I felt relaxed even while crawling through peak-hour traffic. Multi-colour ambient lighting and a premium 7.1.4 surround sound system (with 23 speakers!) made every drive an immersive experience.
NOMI: A Quirky Yet Capable Co-Pilot
NOMI, the dashboard-mounted AI assistant, might look playful, but it’s seriously smart. It greeted me on entry, rotated to face me when spoken to, and accurately handled commands from climate control to navigation. Its voice recognition was near-perfect, and it brought a surprisingly human touch to the high-tech interface.
Daily Driving in Dubai Made Effortless
The ET5 is packed with driver aids tailored for city life. The 360-degree camera was invaluable in tight Downtown parking lots. Lane alerts came via subtle steering wheel vibrations, and the emergency braking feature even stopped the car in a mall parking bay when another vehicle approached too close. On highways like Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, the car felt planted, smooth, and responsive.
Performance That Surprises, Not Overwhelms
Powered by a high-efficiency dual-motor setup, my test car had the 100 kWhit battery offering up to 615 km (NEDC range). Realistically, I achieved 550–580 km per charge within minutes, which is more than enough for weekend trips to Abu Dhabi or Fujairah. It accelerates from 0–100 km/h in four seconds, but never felt twitchy or overly aggressive.
One of the standout advantages of owning a NIO is access to the brand’s exclusive charging infrastructure, including its innovative subscription-based battery-swapping service. Using the built-in sat-nav, drivers can pre-book a swap, arrive at a designated NIO Power Swap station, and let the car’s autopilot position it precisely in the bay. In just under five minutes, the system automatically replaces the depleted battery with a fully charged one—eliminating long charging times and redefining EV convenience.
The ride is balanced. The springy steering takes a little adjustment, but in daily Dubai traffic, the ET5 feels effortless to handle. Autopilot functions worked well on long drives, and NIO’s battery swap system is worth highlighting—just five minutes to switch batteries at a swap station is a future-forward feature Tesla hasn’t cracked.
Tech Overload? Not Quite
Despite being feature-rich, the interface is user-friendly. The touchscreen keeps important controls—like ventilation and the speed chime disable—visible at all times. Still, a few more physical buttons wouldn’t hurt. The only real downside? Rear visibility is poor, but again, the digital mirror and cameras make up for it.
Potential Drawbacks
While the NIO ET5 excels in many areas, it does have a few drawbacks worth noting. The steering can feel overly springy and sensitive, which might take some getting used to, especially at higher speeds or during tight manoeuvres. Additionally, a significant number of controls are embedded within the touchscreen interface, which can be distracting to navigate while driving. Another limitation is the rear-view mirror, which offers limited visibility and doesn’t fully compensate for the car’s narrow rear window—though the 360-degree camera system helps offset this issue in urban driving.
A Confident Entry for NIO in UAE
Starting from AED 199,900, the NIO ET5 in Dubai positions itself as a smart, tech-heavy and luxurious alternative to Tesla’s Model 3 or Polestar 2. It’s not just for early adopters—it’s for anyone seeking a premium EV experience that feels tailored for urban life. The ET5 is proof that NIO has the ambition and the ability to carve a serious space in the UAE’s electric future.
