2023 VinFast VF9 English Us
Channel: kamran sumqayitli
Date: 14/04/2023

VinFast VF9 Expert Review
Bob Hernandez
The VF 9 is a three-row, six-to-seven passenger, battery electric SUV from Vietnamese carmaker VinFast. Originally called the VF e36 when it was teased, it is among the company's first vehicles to be offered in North America, along with the smaller VF 8 crossover. Expect the VF 9 to compete with five-passenger electric crossovers like the Tesla Model X and Ford Mustang Mach-E as well as any future seven-seater electric SUVs like the Rivian R1S.
What Is VinFast?
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VinFast is a subsidiary of Vingroup, which is primarily a real estate developer and Vietnam's largest privately held business. The car brand made its debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show with a pair of sedans that marries Vietnamese character with Italian design and European quality and innovation. VinFast says it will build a U.S. factory for manufacturing batteries.


How Fast Is the VF 9? How Much Range Does It Have?
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VinFast is targeting a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds for the VF 9, which is about a second slower than what it's targeting for the VF 8. It makes sense considering they share standard powertrains—two electric motors making a combined 402 hp—but the VF 9 is bigger and likely heavier than its kin.

We don't have all the details yet (including charging times), but it looks like range on a full charge is pegged at 422.5 miles, 105.6 more miles than the VF 8, which means the VF 9 probably has a bigger battery. But those figures are based on the optimistic European test cycle and range will likely change when the EPA gives its ranking.


How Big Is the VF 9?
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VinFast says the VF 9's overall dimensions are approximately 201.5 inches by 78.7 inches by 67.7 inches (or at least that's what they are on preproduction models). Unless those dimensions change significantly in production trim, that puts it in the same ballpark as the non-electric three-row Chevrolet Traverse, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Telluride SUVs.


What Does the VF 9 Look Like on the Inside?
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Think EV minimalism a la the Rivian R1T or any Tesla. A picture of a preproduction VF 9's interior on VinFast's website shows a dash and center console that are mostly free of buttons and controls apart from the steering wheel and large center screen. When we saw the vehicle at CES 2022, we also noticed the jet-inspired push-button shifter.


Swappable Batteries for Lease
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To allay consumer fears about battery life, VinFast has floated the idea of establishing a battery leasing program for its EVs. Through a monthly fee, the company has indicated it will cover all expenses on battery maintenance and replace the used battery for free when charging and discharging capacities fall below 70 percent.


How Do I Get a VF 9?
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VinFast hopes to begin setting up its dealer network in California sometime in 2022. Interested parties can reserve a VF 9 and sign up for a voucher program good for $5,000 off the SUV on VinFast's website.