Chinese EV takes on BMW and Audi in advanced suspension test and the difference is striking
Published on May 27, 2026 at 1:37 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on May 27, 2026 at 1:37 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
When this Chinese EV took on a BMW and an Audi in a suspension test, it left little doubt about which one could handle the bumps.
Footage of the NIO ET9 participating in a suspension test has been doing the rounds online.
And it’s not hard to see why – the people behind this suspension test really went the extra mile with it.
But does this Chinese EV have more to offer beyond impressive suspension?
Chinese EV in suspension test against a BMW and an Audi
In the world of cars, China and Germany have something of a manufacturing rivalry.
Germany has long been renowned for its high-quality cars, but China has rapidly upped the ante in recent years.
And if videos from a suspension test are anything to go by, the country’s automotive industry has well and truly caught up.
Footage showed a NIO ET9 driving over suspension bumps, practically gliding as it went along.
It was as smooth as butter.
Following its lead was a BMW i7 and an Audi A8, which looked a lot ricketier as they passed over.
You think this would be decisive enough, but the test one step further.
In a clip shared to Reddit, people were shown building a champagne tower on the car’s bonnet.
Yes, seriously – all that glass and all that liquid riding up front.
And expensive liquid too, we might add.
It certainly was vouching for their confidence in the NIO ET9 and its stability.
But that faith paid off in dividends, when not a drop was spilled when the car redid its trip over the bumps.
Reddit users were just as impressed as we were.
“Carrying a cake on your lap in the back seat of the car will no longer be a problem,” one gushed.
“And the eggs in the trunk…INTACT,” another enthused.
What do we know about the NIO ET9?
Compared to the likes of BYD and Zeekr, the NIO ET9 hasn’t been the most high profile among the Chinese EV brands.
But that doesn’t diminish its good traits in the slightest.
Touted as China’s answer to the Maybach, the ET9 would set you back $110,000 if you had the chance to buy it.
Pricey as it may be, it certainly delivers in the suspension category – just look at how it compared to a Maybach S580.
It is a great all-rounder, capable of shaking snow off itself like a puppy.
With traits like that, we can’t help but think $110,000 sounds like a price worth paying.
Following stints at LadBible, The Sun, The New York Post, and the Daily Mail, Ben joined the team full-time in February 2025. In his role as Senior Content Writer, his sparkling copy, the ability to sniff out a good story at 100 paces, and a GSOH quickly led to him becoming an integral and invaluable member of the writing staff.
