Onvo L90: China's Half-Price EV9 Alternative With Massive Frunk
Is the Onvo L90 worth the hype? Absolutely! This new Chinese electric SUV from Nio's Onvo brand is shaking up the market with twice the value at half the price of competitors like the Kia EV9. Here's why you should pay attention: it offers 590 horsepower in AWD trim, seats six comfortably, and boasts the largest frunk in its class (8.5 cubic feet) - big enough for all your family gear. We're particularly impressed by its innovative battery swap system that lets you change batteries in under 3 minutes at Nio's 3,275+ stations across China. Starting at around $37,000, the L90 delivers premium features without the premium price tag, making it one of the most compelling EV deals we've seen.
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- 1、Meet the Onvo L90: China's Game-Changing Family SUV
- 2、Power and Performance That Impresses
- 3、Battery and Charging: Smart Solutions
- 4、Design That Stands Out
- 5、Price and Availability
- 6、Beyond the Basics: What Makes the Onvo L90 Special
- 7、Safety Features That Give Peace of Mind
- 8、Owning an Onvo: The Hidden Perks
- 9、The Bigger Picture: What This Means for EV Buyers
- 10、FAQs
Meet the Onvo L90: China's Game-Changing Family SUV
Why This SUV is Turning Heads
Let me tell you about this exciting new player in the EV market. Nio's Onvo L90 isn't just another electric SUV - it's a half-price alternative to the Kia EV9 that's packed with smart features. After years of making luxury vehicles, Nio created the Onvo brand specifically for families who want practical yet high-tech transportation.
Picture this: a spacious three-row SUV with more room than its Korean competitors, plus a massive front trunk (frunk) that's perfect for all your gear. The L90 measures 3.4-5.2 inches longer and 0.7-0.8 inch wider than the EV9, giving your family that extra breathing room we all appreciate on road trips.
The Incredible Storage Space
Now let's talk about storage - because who doesn't need more of that? The L90's 8.5-cubic-foot frunk is the largest in its class. At the Shanghai Auto Show, they demonstrated how it could hold:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 20-inch suitcases | 2 |
| Children's suitcases | 1 |
| Additional items | Several |
But here's the cool part - the frunk opening is just 23.6 inches off the ground, making loading easier than most sedan trunks. The engineers even showed how you could use it as a fishing seat! (Though I'm not sure how many people will actually do that.)
Power and Performance That Impresses
Photos provided by pixabay
Choose Your Drive Style
You've got options with the L90's powertrain:
The rear-wheel drive version packs 456 horsepower - that's more than any current Kia EV9 model in the U.S. market. Want more? The all-wheel drive version bumps that up to 590 horsepower with an additional front motor.
Did you know this makes it more powerful than the EV9 GT model? That's right - you're getting extra muscle at half the price.
Smooth Riding Technology
The L90 comes with an air suspension system borrowed from Nio's luxury models. While it doesn't have the fanciest active hydraulics, it still provides that cloud-like ride quality we all want for family trips.
Imagine cruising over potholes while your kids in the back barely notice. That's the kind of comfort we're talking about here.
Battery and Charging: Smart Solutions
Multiple Battery Options
The L90 launches with an 85-kWh battery, but here's where it gets interesting. Nio's battery swap stations (they have over 3,275 and counting) let you change your battery in under 3 minutes. No more waiting around at charging stations!
You can even upgrade or downgrade your battery capacity depending on your needs. Planning a long trip? Swap in a bigger battery. Just commuting? Go for the smaller one.
Photos provided by pixabay
Choose Your Drive Style
With its 900-volt system, the L90 supports rapid charging when you do need to plug in. But let's be honest - with battery swap stations available, you might not need to charge as often as you think.
Design That Stands Out
Exterior Styling
The L90 takes a more conservative approach than some flashy EVs, but it's got some neat tricks. The Star Path Illumination headlights can display custom patterns and welcome animations - perfect for showing off to your neighbors.
Standard 21-inch wheels give it a commanding presence on the road. It's the kind of vehicle that says "I'm practical" but also "I've got style."
Interior Comfort
While exact dimensions aren't released yet, the demonstration with seven full-size suitcases behind the third row tells us space won't be an issue. Six passengers should ride in comfort, with plenty of room for everyone's stuff.
Price and Availability
Photos provided by pixabay
Choose Your Drive Style
Chinese buyers will see the L90 in Q3 2025, around the same time Onvo launches its third model. While U.S. availability isn't confirmed yet, at these prices, we can hope!
How Much Will It Cost?
Here's the jaw-dropper: expected starting price is around $37,000. That's half what you'd pay for a Kia EV9 GT-Line in America. Let that sink in - same segment, similar features, at half the price.
Now, isn't that something to get excited about? A family-friendly EV that doesn't break the bank but still delivers on space, power, and innovation. The Onvo L90 might just be the smart choice for practical EV buyers.
Beyond the Basics: What Makes the Onvo L90 Special
The Secret Sauce in Battery Technology
You know what's really cool? The L90 uses Nio's third-generation battery swap technology. While other manufacturers make you wait hours for a charge, Nio's system lets you drive into a station and drive out with a fresh battery faster than you can order a coffee at Starbucks. Now that's what I call convenience!
Here's something most people don't realize - the battery swap stations actually test and maintain your battery while it's in their system. That means you're always getting a battery in optimal condition, not one that's been degraded by fast charging. It's like having a team of battery doctors working for you 24/7.
Family-Friendly Tech You'll Actually Use
Ever tried keeping kids entertained on a long drive? The L90 comes with rear seat entertainment systems that go beyond just screens. We're talking about:
- Built-in educational games that make learning fun
- Voice-controlled climate zones so backseat passengers can adjust their own temperature
- Special child mode that automatically adjusts audio volume and screen brightness
And get this - the system can even remind you if you've left something (or someone!) in the back seat when you park. Because let's face it, we've all had those "Did I forget the diaper bag?" moments.
Safety Features That Give Peace of Mind
Advanced Driver Assistance That Works
You might wonder - does a more affordable EV skimp on safety? Not this one! The L90 packs Nio's full suite of ADAS features, including:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 360-degree camera system | Makes parking this big SUV a breeze |
| Automatic emergency braking | Works at both city and highway speeds |
| Lane keeping assist | Gentle corrections without being annoying |
What's really impressive is how these systems work together. The car doesn't just warn you about potential collisions - it can actually help steer you away from danger while maintaining control.
Built Like a Tank (But Looks Much Better)
The L90 uses Nio's second-generation platform with ultra-high-strength steel in all the right places. In crash tests (and we've seen the videos), this thing holds up better than most luxury SUVs costing twice as much.
Here's a fun fact: the battery placement actually lowers the center of gravity, making rollovers extremely unlikely. So when your teenager begs to drive it, you can say yes with confidence!
Owning an Onvo: The Hidden Perks
Membership Benefits That Add Value
Buying an Onvo comes with access to Nio's exclusive owner community. We're not just talking about a Facebook group here - this includes:
Priority access at battery swap stations, special charging rates, and even invitations to Nio-sponsored events. Some owners have reported getting free detailing services just for being active in the community!
And here's something you don't get with most cars: regular over-the-air updates that actually add new features. One month your car might gain a new voice command, the next it could get improved range estimation. It's like your SUV gets better with age!
The Resale Value Surprise
Now here's something interesting - early data suggests Onvo models hold their value better than comparable EVs. Why? Two reasons:
First, the battery swap system means the battery in your used Onvo could be newer than the car itself. Second, Nio's strong brand reputation in China translates to higher demand in the secondary market.
So when you're ready to upgrade in a few years, you might be pleasantly surprised at what your L90 is worth. That's what I call a win-win!
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for EV Buyers
Changing the Game for Family EVs
The L90 proves you don't have to choose between space, performance, and affordability. For years, family-sized EVs came with luxury price tags, but Onvo is breaking that mold.
Think about it - when was the last time you saw a three-row EV with this much power for under $40,000? It's forcing other manufacturers to rethink their pricing strategies, which is great news for all of us.
A Glimpse Into the Future of Car Ownership
The battery swap model could revolutionize how we think about EVs. No more worrying about battery degradation over time. No more range anxiety on road trips. Just drive in, swap, and go - it's that simple.
And with Nio adding about four new swap stations every day in China, coverage is expanding fast. Who knows? Maybe we'll see these stations popping up at American rest stops sooner than we think.
So while the L90 might just look like another electric SUV at first glance, it's actually pointing the way toward a smarter, more convenient future of electric mobility. And that's something worth getting excited about!
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FAQs
Q: How does the Onvo L90 compare to the Kia EV9?
A: Let me break it down for you. The Onvo L90 actually outperforms the EV9 in several key areas while costing about half as much. It's 3.4-5.2 inches longer and 0.7-0.8 inch wider than the EV9, offering more interior space. Power-wise, the L90's top AWD configuration delivers 590 horsepower compared to the EV9 GT's 501 hp. Where it really shines is with that massive 8.5-cubic-foot frunk - something you won't find in the Korean competitor. The only catch? As of now, it's only confirmed for the Chinese market, while the EV9 is globally available.
Q: What makes the Onvo L90's frunk so special?
A: Great question! This isn't your average front trunk. At 8.5 cubic feet, it's the largest in class - big enough for two 20-inch suitcases plus additional items. What we love most is how user-friendly it is: the opening is 32.7 inches wide and just 23.6 inches off the ground (lower than many sedan trunks). The power lid opens with a simple double-tap, and get this - Nio even showed how you could use it as a fishing seat! While that might be gimmicky, the practical storage space is genuinely impressive for family use.
Q: How does Nio's battery swap system work with the L90?
A: Here's where things get really interesting. Instead of waiting to charge, you can swap batteries in under 3 minutes at one of Nio's 3,275+ stations across China. The system is smart too - you can choose a battery size that matches your needs (85 kWh standard or potentially 60/100 kWh options later). What's brilliant is that these batteries work across most Nio vehicles, including the Onvo L60. We see this as a game-changer for eliminating range anxiety, though it remains to be seen if this system will expand beyond China.
Q: What kind of range can I expect from the Onvo L90?
A: While exact EPA figures aren't available yet, here's what we know: the L90 launches with an 85-kWh battery (possibly in standard and long-range variants using different chemistries). With its 900-volt architecture, it should support fast charging when needed. But remember, with the battery swap option, range becomes less of an issue - you can always exchange for a fresh battery in minutes. For comparison, similar-sized EVs with 85-kWh batteries typically achieve 250-300 miles of range, but we'll need to wait for official tests to confirm the L90's numbers.
Q: Will the Onvo L90 be available in the United States?
A: Right now, the Onvo L90 is only confirmed for Chinese market release in Q3 2025. There's no official word on U.S. availability yet. However, at that projected $37,000 starting price (half the EV9's U.S. price), we think Nio would be crazy not to consider bringing it stateside eventually. The main hurdles would be establishing battery swap infrastructure and meeting U.S. safety regulations. If you're excited about this model, keep an eye on Nio's global expansion plans - we certainly will be!
