2023 VinFast VF8 Assessment, Pricing, and Specs

The first run of 999 VF8s will be the cheaper City Edition Eco and City Edition Plus models, which come with a smaller battery pack and less range. Later, Eco and Plus trims will join the lineup with one of two battery packs, with the Eco boasting the most range at 264 miles per charge. The Eco might boast the longest driving range but the Plus model delivers the most luxury features, including a panoramic glass roof, leather upholstery, and second-row captain’s chairs.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

Every VF8 uses an all-wheel-drive electric powertrain with two electric motors. The base model makes 348 horsepower with 369 pound-feet of torque. The zippier Plus model cranks output to 402 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. At our test track, the 402-hp model hit 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. But acceleration is only one thing we evaluate when we test a new vehicle, and the VinFast’s road manners don’t live up to the greater EV SUV segment. Its ride is less steady than the Ariya and its handling lacks the inspired nature of the Mustang Mach E.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The City Edition Eco trim of the VF8 will offer enough battery capacity for a 207-mile estimated driving range while the City Edition Plus will be good for only 191 miles per charge. The Eco and Plus trims will be able to drive for longer distances of 264 and 243 miles respectively. When we tested a City Edition Plus, it outperformed its estimate and sailed on for 210 miles of highway driving before needing to be recharged. VinFast says its battery can DC fast-charge from 10 to 70 percent in just 26 minutes, and in our testing, it took 52 minutes to charge from 10 to 90 percent.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

The EPA estimates that the VF8 Eco is good for 89 MPGe city and 85 MPGe highway; the Plus model is rated for 82 MPGe city and 78 MPGe highway. For more information about the VF8’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The VF8 is sold only as a two-row, five-seater SUV and interior passenger space in both rows is plentiful. Don’t expect an interior that’s on the same luxury level as the BMW iX. VinFast’s interior quality needs improvement. Like a Tesla, the instrumentation is focused on a central screen and head-up display. While the interior is somewhat traditionally styled and leans heavily on plastic, a large sunroof helps brighten the comfy cabin. The VF8 also uses a frunk for extra cargo space should you reach the max capacity of its rear hatch area.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A massive 15.6-inch dashboard-mounted display serves as an infotainment touchscreen as well as a digital gauge display, a design similar to that of the Tesla Model Y. A head-up display also projects critical information onto the windshield in front of the driver, so those who don’t like the idea of glancing to the right to keep an eye on speed will be able to have that info available straight ahead. A voice assistant is included to allow users to interact with the system without touching the display. There are other features to help pass time while charging, such as onboard video games and an e-commerce service embedded into the software. After getting a chance to use the VinFast infotainment interface though, we’d caution tech-obsessed buyers away as the system is laggy and unintuitive which will frustrate anyone expecting similar capability as a modern smartphone.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

All VF8 models come with a comprehensive package of driver-assistance features, including some conveniences such as automatic high-beam headlamps and traffic-sign recognition. In our experience, they work pretty well, but if you want to turn them off you’ll have to do it each time upon start-up and even then the VF8 will beep and boop with alerts as you approach lane markings or accidentally get too close to another car in traffic. For more information about the VF8’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control with lane centering

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

VinFast provides a generous 10-year/125,000-mile warranty coverage, which should help assuage the fears that come with taking on the risk of buying an electric SUV from an unknown brand. Only the Genesis GV60 comes close to VinFast’s promised warranty with a 10-year warranty policy that extends to 100,000 miles.

• Limited warranty covers 10 years or 125,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 125,000 miles
• Battery components are covered for 10 years or 125,000 miles

More Features and Specs