What We Know So Far

Overview

The post-gasoline era is being preceded by startups across the globe, and soon the Vietnam-based automaker VinFast will enter its upcoming VF8 two-row, five-seater SUV 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 be assembled in a still-to-be-built 2000-acre factory in North Carolina. The VF8 is said to be roughly the size of a Ford Bronco, and though pricing and full specs aren’t available yet we have sampled an Eco prototype with 348 horsepower. A higher-output Pro prototype that we also briefly drove uses a 402-horsepower powertrain. VinFast tells us that US versions of the VF8 will come standard with all-wheel drive and will offer two battery pack options with a maximum driving range varying between 248 and 292 miles. Unlike EVs such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E or Tesla Model X, the VF8 will require a battery subscription not included in the initial purchase price. Like a smartphone, the battery subscription will come in the form of a monthly fee, likely around $35. The two plans offered will vary between a limited-mileage plan and an unlimited-mileage plan, and both will keep the battery pack under warranty for as long as the customer is willing to pay.

What’s New for 2023?

While we wait for VinFast’s 2000-acre plot of land to bloom into an EV-assembling metropolis, full info on the VF8 remains closely guarded. While the initial SUVs will be built and imported from Vietnam, VinFast says it plans to localize manufacturing to the U.S. starting sometime in 2024.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The VF8 is offered in either Eco or Plus trim with two different sizes of batteries. The Eco Enhanced Range delivers 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. The prices listed above are estimated based on the latest information from VinFast for the total cost of purchasing a VF8 and its battery pack, but the company is also planning a unique option that reduces the price of the VF8 but adds in a separate monthly expense for what amounts to a battery rental fee.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

Every VF8 uses an all-wheel-drive electric powertrain with two electric motors. The base Eco model should have at least 348 horsepower with 369 pound-feet of torque. The zippier Plus model cranks output to 402 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. While these values are based on prototypes we drove only briefly when visiting the VinFast headquarters in Vietnam, official info and test data from production vehicles for the U.S. market should be coming soon.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

VinFast will offer two batteries, leased through their battery-subscription service, that will vary between a 248-mile Standard unit and a 292 Enhanced range version. Info on battery size and charging power hasn’t been announced yet, but VinFast says its Eco battery can DC fast-charge from 10 to 70 percent in just 26 minutes.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

The EPA hasn’t yet given an estimate for the VF8’s fuel-economy figures, but when we find out that information, we’ll update this story with details. We’ll also plan to take the VF8 on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route to test its real-world efficiency and driving range. For more information about the VF8’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The VF8 will be a two-row, five-seater SUV that’s roughly the size of a Ford Bronco. That puts it in the electrified space of the mid-size crossover and SUV segment with the other EVs such as the BMW iX and Tesla Model X. The design of the VF8 was handled by Pininfarina. 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 infotainment touchscreen as well as 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.

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. 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’s says it will provide 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 a 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