2023 VinFast VF8 Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

The post-gasoline era is being preceded by startups across the globe, and the Vietnam-based automaker VinFast, with its VF8 two-row, five-seater SUV, is the latest to enter into the EV market fray in the United States. It will be joined by the three-row VF9, reviewed separately, and, according to the company, both models will eventually be assembled in a still-to-be-built 2000-acre factory in North Carolina. The VF8 is roughly the size of EV SUV rivals such as the Ford Mustang Mach E and the Nissan Ariya. Entry-level models are powered by an all-wheel-drive powertrain with 349 horsepower, but a higher-output Plus variant makes 402 horsepower. This year, the City Edition models max out at 207 miles of range, but starting next year the VF8 will come with a larger battery with up to 264 miles of estimated driving per charge.

What's New for 2023?

While we wait for VinFast's 2000-acre plot of land to bloom into an EV-assembling metropolis, the initial run of VF8 SUVs will be built and imported from Vietnam. VinFast plans to localize manufacturing to the U.S. starting sometime in 2025.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The first run of 2023 VF8s will be the cheaper City Edition Eco and City Edition Plus models, which come with a smaller battery pack and less range. Starting for the 2024 model year, Eco and Plus trims will replace the City Edition models in the lineup with a larger battery pack and boasting higher estimated driving ranges. For now, the City Edition Eco is the best bet, as it maximizes range and keeps the cost low.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

Every VF8 uses an all-wheel-drive electric powertrain with two electric motors. The base model makes 349 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

Both the City Edition Eco and City Edition Plus trims of the VF8 come with an 82.0-kWh battery pack which is enough for a 207-mile estimated driving range in the Eco and 191 miles per charge in the Plus. 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 maximum 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 regardless of miles

More Features and Specs