Backed by the corporate might of Vietnam's largest conglomerate, Vingroup, the 2023 VinFast VF 8 is the cheaper of two new all-electric SUVs bound for our shores. Initial specs from VinFast indicate that the two-row VF 8 will come with a standard dual-motor setup (one at each axle) good for up to 402 horsepower. If that bears out, the VF 8 will pack a big punch compared to other EVs in its price range. VinFast estimates a 0-60 sprint of 5.8 seconds even for the base 348-hp model, whereas the entry-level Volkswagen ID.4, for example, needed 7.7 seconds in our instrumented testing.
But here's the thing about that price range. Although a starting price of around $42,000 is impressively low for a dual-motor electric SUV, the fine print says you have to lease the battery separately at a monthly cost of $169. Want to skip the lease and buy the battery along with the car? The starting price shoots up to $57,000. This unusual strategy does the VF 8's value proposition no favors compared to rival EVs that include the battery pack as part of the standard purchase price.
On the range front, VinFast projects that the dual-motor VF 8 can squeeze 292 miles out of a full charge in the 348-hp Eco trim, while the full-strength 402-hp Plus trim tops out at 277 miles. A 300-mile performance in our real-world EV range test seems not out of the question when we get our hands on a VF 8 to evaluate.
Details on the VF 8 are otherwise limited. We know it's 187 inches long, which means it's about the same size as an Acura RDX — one of the larger small luxury SUVs. And we know it has a 15.6-inch central display screen, 11 airbags, and two rows with seating for five. Beyond that, we'll have to wait for more news to roll out as the year goes on.
