Mitsubishi Xforce. Photo: Vinh Phuc. |
After an unimpressive sales year in 2023, the Vietnamese car market is predicted to welcome many new models in various segments, from mainstream to high-end. Particularly, these are all imported models from Indonesia, Japan, and China.
Mitsubishi Xforce
Recently, Mitsubishi Vietnam announced the official launch date for the Xforce SUV in the market, which is January 10th. According to various sources, this B-segment SUV is expected to come in 4 versions, with prices ranging from 650-700 million VND.
Prior to its introduction in Vietnam, the Xforce was already revealed in the Indonesian market with similar designs and features. However, the Vietnamese version will be equipped with additional automated safety technologies including lane assist, blind-spot warning, and emergency braking.
Suzuki Xforce. Photo: Vinh Phuc. |
Additionally, according to a consultant at a dealership, customers who purchase the top-tier version of the Xforce will have 2 interior color options. Currently, Mitsubishi dealerships are accepting deposits for this SUV with benefits such as 2 years of free maintenance and exclusive offers from the staff.
All versions will use the same 1.5L MIVEC gasoline engine as the Xpander. This engine produces a power output of 105 horsepower and a maximum torque of 141 Nm. The car uses a CVT automatic transmission.
In the Vietnamese market, if it is launched, the Mitsubishi Xforce will compete with prominent names in its segment such as the Kia Seltos, Toyota Yaris Cross, Hyundai Creta, and Mazda CX-3. With its fresh design and long-awaited debut, many people expect this SUV to make a significant impact, similar to the popular Xpander MPV model.
Suzuki Jimny
Despite being displayed at dealerships since the beginning of the third quarter of 2023, the Suzuki Jimny missed its release date for Vietnamese consumers as no official launch date was announced. Until now, the official website of Suzuki Vietnam has only posted images of this rugged vehicle with the status “coming soon”.
Suzuki Jimny. |
The Suzuki Jimny is expected to be available in Vietnam with a design similar to its versions in neighboring markets. The car is equipped with a naturally aspirated 1.5L gasoline engine, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, generating a maximum power of 103 horsepower and a peak torque of 138Nm.
Sharing with Tri Thuc-Znews, a consultant at a Suzuki dealership revealed that the expected price for this model is around 800 million VND, directly imported from Japan. However, special colors will have a higher price, ranging from 10-20 million VND.
According to the same consultant, the Jimny might be officially launched in the first quarter of this year, with deliveries scheduled for around March. However, the Suzuki Jimny will only be available in limited quantities, estimated at 100-200 units.
The Suzuki Jimny is highly anticipated in Vietnam due to its unique design and the promise of a new off-road SUV experience. However, it appears that Suzuki Vietnam sees this as a marketing strategy to attract attention to the brand, as there have been instances where dealerships showcase the Jimny but lead customers to consider other models.
MG7
According to various sources, the MG7 D-segment sedan is expected to be launched in the Vietnamese market early this year, following the initial delay. The starting price is estimated to be around 730 million VND.
When contacted with MG dealerships in Ho Chi Minh City, consultants revealed that the MG7 in Vietnam might be the latest upgraded version of the model, imported directly from China, with 2 versions: STD and LUX.
MG7. Photo: Carnewschina. |
This D-segment sedan in the Chinese market comes with 2 engine options: a 1.5L engine (188 horsepower, 300 Nm) paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a 2.0L engine (261 horsepower, 405 Nm) with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Despite being more powerful with 250 horsepower, the MG7 takes 6.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. Depending on the version, the MG7 will have either 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels.
The interior of this D-segment sedan is modern and minimalistic, eliminating physical buttons and replacing them with a digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Additionally, the MG7 is equipped with amenities such as power-adjustable seats, electronic parking brake, panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system.
With a price of around 800 million VND, the MG7 is expected to compete with popular names in the segment such as the Kia K5 and Toyota Camry. However, MG7 still faces challenges as Vietnamese customers currently have many affordable options instead of choosing Chinese-made cars. MG, along with other Chinese car brands, needs more time to prove their quality.
Volkswagen Teramont X
The Volkswagen Teramont X has been offered by many consultants since late 2023 and is expected to be launched soon. Unlike the Teramont SUV already available in Vietnam, the Teramont X is a coupe version and continues to be imported directly from China.
This model is equipped with a 2.0L gasoline engine, combined with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, producing a maximum power of 220 horsepower and a peak torque of 350Nm.
Volkswagen Teramont X. Photo: Motor1. |
A Volkswagen consultant also revealed that the interior of the Teramont X will include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, LED Matrix headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and premium leather seats with both heating and ventilation functions.
Although not officially launched yet, this SUV is expected to have an approximate price of 2.168 billion VND. With this price range, the Teramont X will directly compete with other large SUVs in the market. However, even though it is cheaper than the Ford Explorer by around 300 million VND, the Teramont X is still considerably more expensive than the Hyundai Palisade (1.467 billion VND), another newcomer that was just released at the end of 2023.
Great books to read on your car journeys
In the “Car” section, Xe introduces readers to a variety of great books on interesting topics. During long car trips, there are often moments to rest, relax, and books can be a fascinating companion.