"Investigation"
Onvo, a brand under Nio, has entered the mid-to-large electric SUV market with its latest offering, the L90. This new model is set to compete directly with Li Auto's i8, offering notable differences in specifications, pricing, and market impact.
Specifications
The Onvo L90 is a larger vehicle, measuring 5,145 mm (L) × 1,998 mm (W) × 1,786 mm (H) with a 3,110 mm wheelbase. It comes in both six-seater and seven-seater configurations, offering generous third-row legroom of 1,020 mm. In contrast, the Li Auto i8 is slightly smaller at 5,085 mm × 1,960 mm × 1,740 mm with a 3,050 mm wheelbase and is only available as a six-seat model.
The L90 weighs between 2,250 and 2,385 kg, making it lighter than the i8’s 2,580 to 2,610 kg. This lighter weight contributes to better energy efficiency and performance. The L90 has a conventional boxy SUV design, while the i8 adopts an MPV-like shape aimed at optimizing space and energy efficiency.
In terms of power and range, the L90 offers an all-wheel-drive model with 440 kW power, 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, and energy consumption of 14.5 kWh/100 km with a range of about 605 km (376 miles). The i8 uses ternary lithium-ion batteries supporting 5C fast charging; the base variant has a 90.1 kWh battery with a CLTC range of 670 km, and higher trims have 97.8 kWh with a CLTC range of 720 km.
The top-spec L90 includes luxury features like a rear entertainment screen, zero-gravity seats, an in-car fridge, power-retractable side steps, and larger wheels as standard or optional within a roughly ¥320,000 budget. In comparison, the i8 base model (Pro) lacks such premium features.
Pricing
The Li Auto i8 variants are priced as follows: Pro – ¥321,800 (~$45,052), Max – ¥349,800, Ultra – ¥369,800. The Onvo L90 is positioned competitively under ¥320,000 (~$44,800) for its top spec, making it slightly cheaper than the base Li i8 while offering more features and space.
Market Impact
The Onvo L90 benefits from Nio’s well-established infrastructure, including over 3,400 battery swap stations, 2,884 superchargers, and 1,776 destination chargers in China, enabling rapid battery swaps in minutes. This infrastructure is a key competitive advantage that Li Auto currently does not match.
Li Auto has aggressively expanded its charging network to nearly 2,900 supercharging stations to support the i8 launch but still trails Nio’s network scale and battery swapping capability.
The L90’s lighter weight, SUV design preferred by Chinese consumers, and superior third-row comfort may appeal more to buyers seeking a traditional SUV experience with premium features at a lower price. On the other hand, Li Auto’s i8 targets efficiency and space utilization with its MPV-like shape, longer electric range in some variants, and fast charging.
Features
The Onvo L90 comes equipped with an 8.86L onboard refrigerator that can hold twelve 330ml soda cans and supports various temperature settings between 0-50°C. It also features a 35-inch AR-HUD, a 17.2-inch 3K central control screen, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P cockpit chip. The L90 employs a 900V high-voltage architecture, heat pump air conditioning, PTC heater, onboard charger, DC voltage converter, and battery pack.
In conclusion, the Onvo L90 offers a larger, lighter, more feature-rich SUV at a slightly lower price with a superior battery swapping infrastructure, while the Li Auto i8 emphasizes range and battery technology with an MPV design but at a higher price and heavier weight. This positions Onvo L90 as a strong challenger in the mid-to-large electric SUV market, potentially compelling Li Auto to strengthen both product features and charging infrastructure.
[1] Li Auto i8 Official Website [2] Onvo L90 Official Website [3] Li Auto i8 Specifications [4] Onvo L90 Specifications [5] Nio's Charging Infrastructure
- The Onvo L90 and Li Auto i8, both mid-to-large electric SUVs, differ significantly in size, weight, and design, with the L90 offering a larger vehicle, lighter weight, and a conventional SUV design, compared to the i8's MPV-like shape.
- In terms of power, range, and pricing, the L90 boasts an all-wheel-drive model with impressive performance, energy consumption, and a range of about 605 km (376 miles), while the i8 variants offer longer range in some models, but at higher prices.
- Onvo's competitive advantage lies in its well-established infrastructure of over 3,400 battery swap stations, 2,884 superchargers, and 1,776 destination chargers in China, allowing for rapid battery swaps in minutes, something Li Auto currently does not match.
- With its premium features, superior third-row comfort, and lower price, the Onvo L90 might appeal more to buyers who seek a traditional SUV experience, while Li Auto's i8 targets efficiency, space utilization, and longer electric range, but at a higher price and heavier weight.
