The name VinFast may or may not be something you’re already familiar with. It is, after all, one of the newest local players in the industry. But despite its infancy, VinFast has quickly been making itself more known, largely with the help of the hard-not-to-look-at VF3 mini EV.
But seen during a preview early in the year, VinFast is set on bringing in more of its EVs including the VF5. It was these two vehicles that VinFast Philippines invited us to drive for a few hours. The company took us to their outdoor showroom in Aseana City which provided a nice backdrop for the vehicles and a nice, basic playground to test its capabilities as city cars.
VF3: The compact city EV
Recently, I had the opportunity to quickly drive the VinFast VF3. And as an affordable entry into the electric vehicle space, the VF3 gave us what we expected.
An EV designed for the city, the VF3 boasts a 215 km range and compact size making it ideal for navigating through busy streets and tight parking spaces. Despite its modest specs — 43 hp and 110 Nm of torque — the VF3 delivers a balanced ride even with 3 adults riding inside. The motor engine provides just enough power to propel the vehicle without feeling too underwhelming for its size.
The VinFast VF3 is a mini; 3,000 mm in length, 1,515 mm in width, and 1,640 mm in height. It provides a ground clearance of 191 mm, which should give you just enough to weather the flood. Suspension is respectable given its size and construction though best to avoid deeper dips and potholes to avoid discomfort to your passengers.
As for its looks, the VF3 is easily identifiable with its boxy yet rounded silhouette. Offered in 9 fun colors, the VF3 is color-blocked with side mirrors, door handles, and rear bumper accents that come in contrasting colors, adding a touch of personality to the overall design.
Up front is the brand’s signature V-engraved grille that frames its halogen projector headlights. The VF3 sits on 14-inch steel wheels wrapped in all-season tires and the rear features distinct vertical LED tail lights and a clean, uncluttered tailgate, completing the modern and functional aesthetic.
Inside, the VF3 comes equipped with essential tech features, including a 10-inch infotainment screen with support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Seats are also well-designed with mixed textures and two-tone styling. And despite the small cabin, it can comfortably sit two but can accommodate four. The rear seats can be tumbled down for more trunk space.
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Front and center is the push-to-start button and window controls. The VF3 also offers manually adjustable seats, a window demister, a day and night rearview mirror, and plenty of cup holders.
The VinFast VF3 is competitively priced in the Philippines, starting at PhP 645,000 for the model with a battery subscription plan. Without a battery subscription, the VF3 is priced at PhP 745,000. The battery subscription plan offers three tiers based on your monthly travel distance, making it a flexible and cost-effective option for potential buyers
VF5: A more familiar ride but electrified
It’s with the VF5 that I had more drive and ride time and the difference from its smaller sibling is apparent.
The VinFast VF5 drives more like a classic SUV offering 134 horsepower electric motor and 135 Nm of torque. The VF5 offers a range of 326 km on a single charge making it more capable for longer trips.
It also boasts the ability to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds though it did take a beat for the throttle to kick in. Despite the tiny lag, handling is responsive and smooth and should fare well for an everyday drive. Inside, the VF5 features premium leather seats, a 7-inch full-color instrument cluster, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
As a passenger, the VF5 is spacious enough; rear seats offer ample legroom and headroom. 260 liters of cargo space os available and can be expanded to 900 liters by folding the rear seats. With 6 airbags and a PM2.5 filter, the cabin environment feels safe and fresh.
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