EV Review: 2024 VinFast VF8

BEV's, SUVs
November 8, 2024
Dan Gunay

The automotive industry has experienced significant disruption with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years. A Vietnamese automaker, VinFast, is determined to make waves on the global stage and recently entered the North American market quite rapidly. The VinFast VF8 is the first model available in Canada, a mid-size electric SUV designed to compete with the heavy hitters in terms of performance, features and overall value proposition.

Unlike most of the competition, VinFast only focuses on SUVs and crossovers, which is the right choice for the North American market. The VF8 may have the traditional SUV lines, but it has a smooth and aerodynamic appearance with clean lines contributing to the modern look. There is a small non-functional front grille wrapping the VinFast logo, but the lower grille in the front bumper is functional for extra cooling.

As expected from a modern electric vehicle, all lighting is LED, and the daytime running lights have a unique light strip that runs across the front fascia, adding a high-tech visual effect. The sleek design language continues throughout the vehicle with the gently sloping roofline. Even though it has unpainted plastic trims for a more rugged look, it doesn’t sit or look as high as a traditional SUV. The rear end also has a modern look with the taillights that wrap the signature “V” logo. Overall, the VF8 offers a nice balance of modern and elegant styling from all angles.

Unlike the unique exterior design, there are lots of similarities with the Tesla Model Y in the interior. The most significant feature is the large 15.6-inch touchscreen located in the middle of the dashboard, with no digital gauge cluster. On the positive side, there are more physical controls, especially the gear selector buttons in the center console. Interestingly, some physical controls were also used in previous BMW models, VinFast must have chosen the same supplier.

For most EVs, the infotainment touchscreen is the most crucial feature, as it controls most available features. The VF8’s user interface features a modern and intuitive layout for easy navigation. The interface is tailored for simplicity with large icons which are also customizable. You can also create different user profiles for multiple drivers that automatically recognize and adjust the controls.

Unlike some entries, the VF8 comes with smartphone integration including the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is a much easier way for most people. The only gripe I had was the camera resolution, refresh rate and overall image quality, which should have been better for a tech product. On the positive side, the VF8 offers adaptive cruise control with lane centring feature, and it works quite well.

Like many electric vehicles, the VF8 has a decent amount of interior space due to the packaging. First and foremost, the visibility is great, and that’s really important for most drivers. The front seats have ample legroom and headroom, making it comfortable for taller adults. At 6’1″, I did not have any issues. Even though the seats are firmly padded, they are surprisingly comfortable and supportive. They do not offer a lot of side bolstering, but it may not be a deal breaker for most people.

The VF8 comes with nice creature comforts for the rear seat passengers, including heated rear seats, USB ports and air vents. It can easily accommodate two very large adults, but can also take three adults. It also has a decent amount of legroom and headroom, and getting in & out is quite easy. Installing a rear-facing child seat is not an issue, you may not need to move the front passenger seat forward.

As expected from a utility vehicle, the VF8 offers an adequate amount of cargo space behind the rear seats. The official numbers are 369 litres with the rear seats in use, but it can go up to 1,220 litres when you fold the rear seats. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split, allowing for flexibility when carrying both passengers and longer items at the same time. However, what makes the VF8 stand out against most of the competition is the front trunk. It is not large by any means, but having the flexibility to place items that you want to keep it safe, the frunk is always a better option. It’s also weather-sealed to protect its contents from rain or dust.

There are two trims available in Canada. The base trim is called “Eco”, and the top trim is called “Plus”. Regardless of the trim, it has an all-wheel-drive, dual motors and an 87.7 kWh battery pack underneath the vehicle. The base drivetrain offers 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with 425 km range. If you want the best performance, you should opt for the more powerful electric motors that generate 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. The price difference is only $1500 CAD, but it’s important to note that if you choose the more performance-oriented option, you get a total range of 391 km.

The VinFast VF8 can be charged through the charging port on the left front fender, it supports DC Fast charging for quick top-ups. It only offers a CCS charging port, but it can go from 10% to 70% in less than 25 minutes under optimal conditions. A home-style Level 2 charger would be the best solution for charging it overnight, which should take around 10 hours for a full charge. You can also utilize the VinFast app to monitor and manage charging remotely.

Driving the VF8 is a typical EV experience. It is smooth and comfortable. Noise, vibration and harshness levels are quite low, increasing the interior’s premium feeling. The softly sprung suspension offers the right amount of comfort but isn’t too soft for spirited driving. The car has a relatively low center of gravity, which contributes overall handling character of the vehicle. The steering feeling is surprisingly communicative for an EV, but the weight and off-center feeling need some fine-tuning. The only gripe I had was the accelerator pedal, the inputs are quite delayed. Even though the VF8 is quite fast, it doesn’t feel as responsive due to the delayed inputs, regardless of the driving mode.

The VF8 brings a fresh perspective to the electric SUV market in North America. It offers a nice blend of modern styling and spacious interior with all of the EV perks that you would find in other entries. While the VF8 has unique strengths, it has some areas of improvement including the software glitches and camera quality. For those looking for a versatile EV with competitive pricing, it is a compelling option. For the brand, it is a promising first step forward especially in a highly competitive North American market.

Engine	2-permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Battery Pack	82-kWh lithium-ion
Transmission	Direct-drive
Max power	402 hp
Max torque	457 lb-ft
0-100 km/h	4.8 sec
Curb Weight	5771 lbs – 2617 kg
Range	267 mi – 425 km
Price (As tested – CAD)	$62,200 CAD
Website	www.vinfastauto.ca