Finally, the most anticipated electric model from VinFast, named VF 7, has officially been launched in the Vietnamese market. This is the 6th smart electric SUV, completing VinFast’s range of pure electric SUVs, covering segments from A to E, from VF3 to VF9.
VinFast VF 7 has two versions, Base and Plus, with prices ranging from 850 million VND to 1.199 billion VND, depending on the version and the method of lease or purchase of the battery. The company has started to accept deposits for the car since December 2, 2023, and promises to deliver the first batch of cars before the Lunar New Year 2023.
We had a quick test drive of the VinFast VF7 electric car in Ho Chi Minh City and identified its strengths and weaknesses.
Highlights of VinFast VF7
1. VinFast VF7 design – the most beautiful in VinFast products
VinFast VF 7 belongs to the C-segment urban SUV, with a well-balanced and harmonious design between aesthetics and usability, making it the most beautiful VinFast model up to now.
The front and rear of the car are highlighted by the signature LED strip of VinFast. The bonnet is designed to be sleek and sturdy, the front bumper is black with a honeycomb grille, giving a sporty and dynamic look. The headlights have an additional small LED strip that accompanies the LED projector headlights, with adaptive headlight function (Plus version).
The back of the car is highlighted by the “elephant ear” taillights with curved LED strips that hug the sides of the car, making it easy to observe for vehicles behind. The camera in the 360-degree camera system is integrated below the V logo.
The coupe-like sloping roof and large wheel arches, 20-inch alloy wheels contribute to a strong and sporty appearance.
In summary, VinFast’s design is highly appreciated by users for its balance, harmony, and high-quality exterior details. Compared to the VF e34 predecessor, the VF 7 is taller, wider, and longer than the VF e34, with a more beautiful and luxurious design, clearly distinguishing the boundaries between a service vehicle and a personal vehicle.
2. VF 7 design: flexible when moving, spacious when sitting inside
With a length of 4,545mm (2,840mm wheelbase), width of 1,890mm, height of 1,635.75mm, and ground clearance of 190mm, the VinFast VF 7 is shorter and lower than its competitors, but slightly wider, and the wheelbase is superior to gasoline models such as the Honda CR-V (4,623 x 1,855 x 1,679mm, 2,660mm wheelbase), Tucson (4,630 x 1,865 x 1,695mm, 2,755mm wheelbase), or Mazda CX-5 (4,550 x 1,840 x 1,680mm, 2,700mm wheelbase).
This makes the car flexible when maneuvering in dense city traffic, while providing a more spacious and comfortable cabin for passengers. This is also the advantage of electric cars as they do not require much space for the engine compartment like traditional oil-burning cars. The trunk space of VF7 is quite decent and can accommodate 2 size 28 suitcases and some backpacks. The electric trunk feature is only available on the Plus version.
3. VinFast VF7 interior: driver-focused
VinFast VF 7 is designed with the driver in mind, with highlights in the interior including a large 12.9-inch touch screen placed tilted towards the driver, for adjusting convenience and monitoring operating parameters. Below it is a piano-style shift button cluster like the VF6. When viewed from the front, it may seem a bit off, but when sitting in the driver’s seat, you will find that operating the screen is extremely convenient and less distracting while driving.
The dashboard behind the steering wheel has been completely removed and replaced with an information display system on the HUD (for the Plus version). The Base version can choose between HUD or an LCD screen behind the steering wheel.
For personalized touch, the VF 7 has 2 interior colors, and the Plus version comes with two-tone interior colors, suitable for the personality, style, and preferences of each individual. In addition, users can also choose a Panoramic sunroof (Plus version) to bring a luxurious and superior experience compared to the C segment. The interior materials are also carefully chosen and designed to be more beautiful and neat than previous generations. The 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat is a standard feature on the VF7.
The rear passenger space has ample legroom and headroom. Some useful features of the VinFast VF7 Plus include the ADAS driving assistance system (not fully completed at present), USB-A charging ports in the rear seats, wireless phone charging, Wi-Fi system, 8 airbags, tire pressure warning, etc.
4. Strong and immediate acceleration
The VF 7 Plus version with two electric motors has a maximum power of up to 260 kW (equivalent to 349 horsepower), maximum torque of 500 Nm, and all-wheel drive system, making it the most powerful car in its segment. Combined with a 75.3 kWh battery pack, the car can travel up to 431 km on a full charge (according to WLTP standards).
Meanwhile, the VF 7 Base version is equipped with a single electric motor with a maximum power of 130 kW (equivalent to 174 horsepower), maximum torque of 250 Nm, and a 59.6 kWh battery pack, with a maximum range of 375 km on a full charge (according to WLTP standards).
With power on par with the VF8 but lighter weight, it is not surprising that the VF 7 has extremely powerful acceleration. The driver can feel the “back stuck to the seat” feeling as soon as they press the accelerator, making overtaking on highways extremely effortless. The steering wheel has a flat bottom and is thick and comfortable to hold, with precise and natural steering. The car’s stability when cornering is also very good. In particular, we evaluated the sound insulation ability of VF7 higher than VF8.
Some drawbacks of VinFast VF 7:
As a car that has received a lot of praise from the media and fans, there are still some areas where we feel the VF 7 can be improved in future generations.
Firstly, the hidden door handle design on the VinFast VF 7 can be quite confusing for female users with small hands, or those who are not familiar with this design. The hidden handle design creates a streamlined look for the side of the car, similar to the Land Rover Velar, but the color does not match the car’s paint, breaking the streamlined look. When opening the door, users need two operations of pressing and pulling, which can be difficult for users with small hands and weak strength like women.
Secondly, the rear seats are quite low compared to the car floor and do not have thigh support. In addition, the seat width is rather short, which can cause fatigue for passengers over 1.75m tall during long journeys.
Thirdly, the design of the rear air vents has a low level of finish, not living up to the overall interior and exterior design of the car.
The large panoramic sunroof on the Plus version can be considered a plus point to increase the openness and luxury of the VinFast VF 7 interior. However, from another perspective, it is not very suitable for the weather in the South and the North in the summer when the sun is strong and the temperature is high. This will also significantly drain the car’s battery for cooling. Of course, users can choose a conventional roof to suit the weather in Vietnam.
Summary
The VinFast VF7 Base version is priced at 850 million VND (excluding the battery) and 999 million VND (including the battery); the Plus version is priced at 999 million VND (excluding the battery) and 1.199 billion VND (including the battery). VinFast offers a battery lease package of 2.9 million VND/month for a maximum distance of 3,000 km/month, and 4.8 million VND/month for more than 3,000 km.
For those who deposit before December 31 (with a fee of 50 million VND), the company offers a 30 million VND discount on the car’s price. The VF 7 comes with a 10-year or 200,000 km warranty (whichever comes first), and the accompanying battery is covered by a 10-year warranty with no mileage limit. This is not to mention the preferential registration fee for electric vehicles at present.
It can be said that with users and VinFast themselves becoming more familiar with and improving their electric cars, the VF 7 has benefited greatly from the previous models. The VinFast VF 7 is a beautiful, sophisticated, and much-improved model compared to previous VinFast electric vehicles. Despite being launched in a difficult market, with a good product and a reasonable price, it is very likely that this car will make a mark in the Vietnamese automotive market.
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