Nio’s recently launched flagship sedan, the ET9, has been ranked as the most software-defined vehicle (SDV)-ready model for 2025, according to a new study by S&P Global Mobility.
The model, which has a starting price of 788,000 yuan ($109,400) in China when bought with the battery pack, achieved Level 5 capability with a readiness index of 94.
The ET9 outperformed rivals including the Xpeng P7, which secured second place with Level 4 SDV readiness and a score of 80, and Tesla’s Cybertruck and Li Auto’s , which tied for third with a readiness index of 79.
The results were presented at the European Automotive E/E Systems Summit 2025 and shared on Monday by Nio’s Chief Architect and Technical Director, Sergey Tverdyshev.
S&P Global Mobility defines SDV readiness as a vehicle’s ability to support continuous, over-the-air software updates across all domains, independent of the automaker’s or supplier’s preparedness.
The benchmark emphasizes the decoupling of hardware and software, and the technological architecture necessary to support long-term digital upgrades.
Vehicles at Level 5 SDV readiness feature advanced zone controllers, a unified operating system, and Ethernet-based networks, enabling functions such as predictive maintenance, AI-driven personalization, and cross-domain feature integration.
“Factories can optimize production lines based on real operational data, making continuous improvements without waiting for major model refreshes,” S&P’s Principal Analyst Manuel Tagliavini said before adding it also eases the supply chain.
“Supply chains can become more responsive and predictive, minimizing disruptions and aligning parts production and delivery with actual usage and needs,” he added.
Nio’s flagship ET9, its most expensive model to date, began deliveries on March 28 and recorded 210 and 250 units sold in the final two full weeks of April.
In May, the sedan saw 150 units registered in each of the first two weeks and 180 units in the third.
Under the company’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) plan, ET9’s starting price drops to 660,000 yuan ($91,600), with a monthly battery rental fee of 1,128 yuan ($157).
