Nio Firefly RHD squares up to Renault 5 ahead of UK 2026 debut
The Nio Firefly will make its UK debut in 2026 following confirmation that right-hand drive versions of the all-electric hatchback have entered production.
Nio’s answer to the likes of the Renault 5 and Mini Electric, the Firefly launched in April this year and left-hand drive versions have already gone on sale in several European countries including the Netherlands, where it is priced from €29,900 (£25,533).
In Norway, Nio has already slashed the Firefly’s starting price by 18% as part of its ‘Pre-Christmas Offer’, meaning it can be snapped up for 229,900 Norwegian kroner – the equivalent of £17,108,
The RHD Nio Firefly has already gone on sale in Singapore, with Australia and the UK scheduled to follow in 2026. Pricing for UK-bound cars has yet to be confirmed.
The Nio Firefly gets a 41kWh LFP battery, promising a WLTP-estimated range of 205 miles. For comparison, an R5 specced with the 40kWh battery returns 190 miles, while the Mini Electric’s 37kWh unit manages up to 180 miles on a single charge.
The rear-wheel-drive Firefly supports Nio’s clever swappable battery tech, but it remains to be seen whether this functionality will be introduced on UK cars, given the Chinese automaker would then need to build a network of battery swap stations across the country.
Riding on a dedicated platform, the Nio Firefly comes generously equipped, with a 14-speaker sound system, air-cooled 50W mobile phone charging, a choice of 256 ambient light options, and 3.5kW vehicle-to-load functionality allowing the car to power external devices.
In terms of practicality, the Nio Firefly gets 404 litres worth of boot space, which extends to 1,253l with the 60:40 rear seats folded, plus a 92-litre frunk, which Nio promises is up there with the best in class.
The Nio Firefly’s sustainable interior can be specced with either vegan leather or fabric upholstery, while a front bench is standard and can be moved side to side to facilitate exiting the car in tight parking spots.
The Firefly is part of Nio’s aggressive expansion strategy, with at least seven new markets scheduled for 2026.
