Vietnamese brand VinFast is making a lot of headlines these days, both for better and for worse. La Belle Province has still not seen the first copies of its models on its roads, apart from a few units exhibited at the VinFast store at Carrefour Laval which are not registered.
Last year, our journalist was able to test a pre-production model of the VF 8 over a few kilometers on the outskirts of the factory where it is assembled, and at the same time learn a little more about the origins of my brand.
This year, the first examples ready to be entrusted to the new owners arrived in North America. The Car Guide traveled to California to test drive the VF 8 Utility Plus variant.
Photo: Louis-Philippe Dube
Battery rental put on ice
First, let’s answer a question that has been on everyone’s lips since the first time the name VinFast was mentioned in Quebec. In an attempt to revolutionize the purchase of an EV by making it “more accessible” VinFast has designed a rental program for the vehicle’s most critical component, the battery.
Buyers opting for battery leasing would benefit from a reduced upfront cost. By the same token, the manufacturer would have a competitive advantage over its rivals and would strategically position itself below the thresholds required for government subsidies.
During a presentation on the sidelines of our VF 8 test in California, the manufacturer confirmed that this program was not currently available in Canada, citing indecision regarding the choice of financial partners, among other uncertainties. So if you buy a VF 8, you buy the battery that comes with it. For now at least!
Photo: Louis-Philippe Dube
Two slightly different personalities, towing possible
The VinFast VF 8 is offered in two variants in Canada, the Plus model and the Eco model. The Plus model is armed with a twin-motor setup that cranks out 402 horsepower complemented by 457 lb-ft of torque. The official range according to the EPA is 391 kilometers on this model. As for the Eco model, it unpacks 349 horsepower and 369 lb of torque. On the other hand, its autonomy increases to 425 kilometers.
The manufacturer also markets a “City” variant in the United States at present which displays a greatly reduced autonomy. This model is not available in Canada.
Photo: Louis-Philippe Dube
On the road, the VF 8 Plus impresses with its sharp acceleration, all complemented by a road holding that is still solid for the size of the vehicle. A drive mode selector lets you choose between Eco, Normal and Sport. In an effort to get the most out of performance, we drove part of our route in Sport mode, where throttle response is quick but unpleasantly responsive, providing a choppy ride for driver and passengers alike. A recalibration would be in order in this regard.
In terms of consumption, things get a bit spoiled with a posted rating of 26 kWh/100 km on the EPA’s government site. We obtained an average of 25 kWh/100 km, which is still high.
The VF 8 has a towing capacity of 1,650 pounds (750 kg). But this can be pushed up to nearly 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) for a trailer equipped with a braking system.
Photo: Louis-Philippe Dube
The screen in the center of attention
In the passenger compartment, the VF 8 has adequate comfort upholstery. We have adopted the “Tesla” type screen which sits in the center of the dashboard with an interface that is easy to use, with clear and well-developed menus. For manual controls, this is the bare minimum. The VF 8 does not even have a stop/start button, it is the joystick that activates the accessories with the locking/unlocking commands. You must then press the brake pedal to start the powertrain.
The rear cargo volume is somewhat restricted in the normal configuration, with 376 litres. But you can take advantage of an additional 78 liters in the front trunk. If you fold down the rear seats, the VF 8 has 1,373 liters of space.
Photo: Louis-Philippe Dube
Refill and warranty
In terms of charging, the VF 8 can, according to the manufacturer, go from 10% to 70% charge level in 24 minutes when connected to a level 3 charging station (BRCC). The maximum charging power is 160 kW. For context, a Hyundai Ioniq 5 can peak at 225 kW, while a Toyota bZ4X is limited to 100 kW.
An aggressive warranty strategy always helps alleviate consumer concerns. And VinFast generously extends the ointment with a 10-year/200,000-kilometre global warranty and a 10-year/unlimited-mileage battery warranty.
VinFast also offers a charging plan included in the purchase price of the vehicle. New owners can choose between 3 years of fast charging on the ChargeHub network or a home charging station.
Photo: Louis-Philippe Dube
The final word
Many unanswered questions remain about VF 8 and VinFast in general. Those concerning performance in the Quebec winter climate, for example, but also those concerning medium and long-term reliability. In addition, service centers will eventually be needed to ensure the maintenance of the VF 8s that will land in Quebec in the coming months…
Moreover, 781 copies are on their way to Canada and will be delivered by the end of the year. We do not know the portion that will take the road to La Belle Province, however. Things should be simpler in 2025, when the Raleigh, North Carolina, Chatham County plant comes on stream to supply the North American market.
For now, the product is doing well in terms of driving with bold technical characteristics, but it also shows small shortcomings to improve and recalibrate.
The VF 8 seems ready for its initiation in the North American market, and the next year will be critical for the brand. This is where distrust will give way to trust in consumers’ hearts (or vice versa!). The VF 8 is displayed at a starting price of $57,500, but the manufacturer pointed out to us that this price could be reviewed in the coming months.