On the morning of October 20, VinFast officially launched the pre-order for the VF 6, the latest B-SUV model in the brand’s pure electric product line. The car comes in two versions: Base and Plus, with suggested retail prices of 675 million and 765 million VND, respectively, without the battery. The cost of battery rental is 1.8 million VND for 3,000 km/month or 3 million VND with unlimited km.
The VinFast VF 6 battery pack costs 90 million VND. If customers choose to buy the battery outright, they will need to pay 765 million VND for the Base version and 855 million VND for the Plus version.
Compared to similar-sized gasoline models like the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos, the price of the VF 6 Plus is slightly higher. To give users a better understanding of this “newcomer”, we have had some initial experience with the VF 6, specifically with the top-of-the-line version.
The Exterior of the VinFast VF 6
According to the manufacturer, the VinFast VF 6 provided for the press to experience is not yet the final version, but it can be considered as close to commercial production. However, in practical experience, the VF 6 gives a sense of good build quality, surpassing its predecessors.
The Interior of the VinFast VF 6
Entering the cabin of the VinFast VF 6, it gives a familiar feeling like other electric models in the brand’s product line. Overall, the vehicle’s experience has been relatively completed, but there are still a few points that need to be improved in order to convince the most demanding customers.
The Performance of the VinFast VF 6
According to the manufacturer’s announcement, the VinFast VF 6 is equipped with an electric motor with a maximum power of 150 kW (equivalent to about 201 hp) and a maximum torque of 310 Nm. The car features a front-wheel drive system and uses McPherson front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.
In the initial driving experience of the VF 6, the accelerator pedal is quite responsive, with very low lag characteristic of electric vehicles. In Sport mode, the car provides a high level of acceleration, which can be surprising if the driver is not familiar with it.
In Eco mode, the power is adjusted to a sufficient level, requiring deep depression of the accelerator pedal for a rapid acceleration feeling. The steering wheel provides quick and agile steering, although it feels slightly light, which may not be suitable for enthusiasts who prefer a heavier steering feel. However, this setup will be suitable for the majority of users, providing a smooth driving experience in urban areas.
The suspension system of the car is a major advantage, with the ability to quickly absorb shocks and minimize body roll, without feeling floaty when going over speed bumps. Even in Eco mode, the car still has a relatively smooth cornering ability with minimal body roll.
The battery pack of the VinFast VF 6 is an LFP type with a capacity of 59.6 kWh, providing a maximum range of up to 381 km in the Plus version (according to WLTP standards). Charging time from 0-100% with a 7.2 kW charger is about 9 hours.
The Safety Features of the VinFast VF 6
Similar to the previously launched electric models, VinFast VF 6 is equipped with an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) package. However, when the car is delivered at the end of this year, only some features will be available, including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, front/rear parking assist, rearview camera, and 360-degree camera.
The remaining features are expected to be updated in early 2024, including traffic jam assist, highway assist, lane keeping assist, lane centering assist, automatic lane change, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, door opening warning, emergency braking, intersection collision warning, emergency lane keeping assist, smart parking assist, and remote parking assist.
Conclusion
In general, the VinFast VF 6 offers many advantages compared to similar-sized gasoline vehicles. With a price of 765 million VND for the Plus version (without the battery), customers may consider models like the Mazda CX-5 (priced from 749 million VND), but in reality, the space in the Japanese car will be on par with the VF 6, which may be a factor to consider.
In addition to its advanced technologies, the VinFast VF 6 has an impressive advantage in terms of cost savings. According to experts’ estimates, the cost per kilometer traveled in the VF 6 is only 500 VND, significantly lower than similar-sized gasoline models. Charging the battery is also not a major concern as VinFast has a nationwide charging station network that meets the long-distance travel needs of Vietnamese customers.
High battery rental costs, along with the cost of charging, have been a concern for many potential customers of VinFast’s previous electric models, such as the VF e34 and VF8. However, with the VF 6, the manufacturer offers certain advantages in terms of battery rental fees and charging costs to address this concern. Specifically, when pre-ordering the VF 6, VinFast mentioned that the battery rental fee will be more cost-effective, with a cost of 1,800,000 VND for 3,000 km and 3,000,000 VND for unlimited km. This means that regular customers can comfortably travel at a rental fee of only 600 VND/km if driving 3,000 km/month, which is equivalent to 100 km/day continuously. Additionally, VinFast is currently offering 1 year of free public charging for customers who pre-order early.
