VinFast EVs: What To Expect

Vietnam-based VinFast originally launched in 2017, came out with its first gas-powered cars in 2019, and then promised to become an all-electric brand by 2022. VinFast also has large goals to bring a few electric cars to the U.S., which will be manufactured at the automaker’s factory in North Carolina. The brand’s electric vehicles are expected to arrive before the end of 2022.

While VinFast hasn’t set out any concrete dates for its upcoming electric crossovers, they’re coming and they’re going to come quickly. With VinFast being such a new brand, we’ll cover what you can expect to see from the upcoming electric crossovers when they go on sale later this year.

VF 8

The midsize VF 8 is an all-electric crossover. It offers two rows of seating for up to five people and is roughly the same size as many midsize SUVs on sale today. VinFast will offer the VF 8 in two trims: VF8_Eco and VF8_Plus. Both trims come with standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) thanks to a dual-motor configuration. In the Eco trim, the SUV makes 348 horsepower, while the Plus has been tuned to make 402 hp. The Plus can get to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.3 seconds with the Eco being half a second behind.

VinFast hasn’t released information on the VF8’s battery pack, but the midsize SUV will be available with two different battery packs that include a Standard Range pack and an Enhanced Range pack. The Eco has an estimated range of between 260 and 292 miles – the Enhanced Range pack brings the most range. The more powerful Plus has an estimated range of between 248 miles and 277 miles. These figures are using the WLTP testing cycle and should be lower using the EPA’s testing. The VF8 will have DC fast-charging capability to go from 10 to 70% of range in as little as 24 minutes with the Standard Range pack.

When it comes to standard features, the VF8 should come with leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight audio speakers, traffic jam assist, highway assist, automatic parking assist, a summon mode, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, a virtual assistant, a head-up display, a sentry mode, and a 15.6-inch touchscreen.

Pricing for the VF8 is expected to start at $40,700. The midsize SUV should arrive in the second half of 2022.

VF 9

VinFast also has plans to come out with a three-row midsize called the VF 9. With a third row of seats, the VF 9 will be able to seat up to seven people. The VF 9 will be available in two trims: The VF9_Eco and VF9_Plus. Both come with two motors for standard AWD and have 402 hp. Both SUVs will be able to get to 60 mph from a standstill in 6.3 seconds.

With the Standard Range battery pack, the Eco will be able to travel 272 miles and up to 369 miles with the Enhanced Range pack. The Plus has a range between 262 miles and 360 miles. These figures are on Europe’s WLTP testing and should be lower on the EPA’s scale. With DC fast charging capability, the VF 9 can go from 10 to 70% of charge in as little as 26 minutes with the Standard Range pack.

Standard features with the VF 9 include a 15.6-inch touchscreen, 13 audio speakers, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, highway assist, traffic jam assist, a summon mode feature, a virtual assistant, sentry mode, automatic parking, and automatic lane-change assist.

The VF 9 is expected to arrive in the second half of 2022 with a starting price of $55,500.

Check Out the Top EV Deals & Incentives

Pictured: Vinfast VF 8 (Top), Vinfast VF 9 (Middle)