We report a novel ethylene glycol-mediated solvothermal-polyol route for synthesis of SnO2–CNT nanocomposites, which consist of highly dispersed 3–5nm SnO2 nanocrystals on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). As anode materials for Li-ion batteries, the nanocomposites showed high rate capability and superior cycling stability with specific capacity of 500mAhg−1 for up to 300 cycles. The CNTs served as electron conductors and volume buffers in the nanocomposites. This strategy could be extended to synthesize other metal oxides composites with other carbon materials.