On May 13, 2024, VinFast began accepting reservations for its new small electric car, the VF3. For three days, from May 13 to 15, customers who placed a deposit on the VF3 would receive a discounted price of 235 million VND (excluding battery) and 315 million VND (including battery). After this period, the official price for the VF3 will be 240 million VND (battery rental) and 322 million VND (including battery).
In Vietnam, the VF3’s direct competitor is the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. Compared to the VF3, the top-of-the-line LV2-170 model from China is 40 million VND cheaper. So, how does the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV stack up against the VF3? Let’s find out in the following article.
What advantages does the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV offer to compete with the VinFast VF3, despite being 40 million VND cheaper?
In this article, we will not discuss design elements as aesthetics are subjective. Instead, we will focus on comparing the exterior, interior, safety features, and performance specifications of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV and VinFast VF3.
Comparing the Exterior Features of VinFast VF3 and Wuling Hongguang Mini EV
Although both vehicles fall into the mini electric car segment, there are significant differences in their dimensions. The VinFast VF3 boasts larger dimensions, with a length of 3,190 mm, a width of 1,679 mm, a height of 1,622 mm, a wheelbase of 2,075 mm, and a ground clearance of 191 mm. In comparison, the Chinese-made VF3 is 270 mm longer and 186 mm wider. Additionally, it has a 135 mm longer wheelbase and a 66 mm higher ground clearance.
The VinFast VF3 has a significantly larger size than the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV.
Despite its larger size, the VinFast VF3 has a smaller turning radius than the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, with 8.1 m and 8.4 m, respectively. This makes the VF3 more maneuverable in tight spaces.
The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is smaller but has a larger turning radius than the VinFast VF3.
The VinFast VF3 also has larger 16-inch wheels compared to the 12-inch wheels of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. This not only improves ground clearance, making it easier for the VinFast VF3 to navigate rough or flooded roads, but also enhances its aesthetic appeal.
On the other hand, the top-of-the-line Wuling Hongguang Mini EV does have some advantages in terms of exterior features. This Chinese model is equipped with halogen projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, and high-mounted brake lights. In contrast, the VinFast VF3 uses halogen lights all around and does not have high-mounted brake lights.
The VinFast VF3 uses halogen lights from front to back.
The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV features LED daytime running lights and taillights.
The two vehicles share some similar exterior features, such as manually adjustable side mirrors, a manual rear hatch, and a manually operated charging port cover. Additionally, both models offer a variety of exterior color options, including single-tone and two-tone finishes.
| Category | VinFast VF3 | Wuling Hongguang Mini EV LV2-170 |
| Dimensions (Length x Width x Height) (mm) | 3,190 x 1,679 x 1,622 | 2,920 x 1,493 x 1,621 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,075 | 1,940 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 191 | 125 |
| Turning Radius (m) | 8.1 | 8.4 |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson | MacPherson |
| Rear Suspension | Dependent, rigid axle with Panhard torsion bar | Semi-independent three-link spring suspension |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen projector |
| Daytime Running Lights | Halogen | LED |
| Taillights | Halogen | LED |
| High-Mounted Brake Light | No | Yes |
| Wheel Size (inches) | 16 | 12 |
| Tire Size | 175/75R16 | 145/70R12 |
| Side Mirrors | Manually Adjustable | Manually Adjustable |
| Rear Hatch Operation | Manual | Manual |
| Charging Port Cover Operation | Manual | Manual |
| Antenna | Shark Fin | Rod |
Comparison of Exterior Features: VinFast VF3 vs. Wuling Hongguang Mini EV LV2-170
Comparing the Interior Features of VinFast VF3 and Wuling Hongguang Mini EV
Given its larger size, it is no surprise that the VinFast VF3 offers a more spacious interior. Similar to its Chinese competitor, the VF3 has a 2-row, 4-seat configuration. However, the VF3 has a rear cargo area, which the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV lacks.
The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV does not have a cargo area behind the second row of seats.
When the rear seats are not folded down, the VF3’s cargo area has a capacity of only 36 liters. However, when the rear seats are folded down, the VF3 offers 285 liters of cargo space, significantly less than the 740 liters of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV.
The rear seats of the VinFast VF3 can be folded flat to increase cargo space.
The interiors of these two small electric cars share some similarities, including fabric-upholstered seats, manually adjustable front seats (4-way), plastic-covered steering wheels, manual air conditioning, two speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity. While the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV’s top-of-the-line model comes with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, the VinFast VF3 does not have this feature. However, the VF3 makes up for it with a 10-inch central touchscreen display, which the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV lacks.
Interior of the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV.
Interior of the VinFast VF3.
Additionally, the VinFast VF3 offers several superior conveniences compared to its Chinese competitor, such as Wi-Fi connectivity, in-car air filtration, camping mode, remote vehicle location tracking, automatic maintenance/service scheduling suggestions, remote monitoring/display of vehicle status information (battery level, coolant level, etc.), notification/service booking via a smartphone app, internet browsing, phonebook/calendar synchronization, and free/paid software updates.
| Category | VinFast VF3 | Wuling Hongguang Mini EV LV2-170 |
| Number of Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Seat Material | Fabric | Fabric |
| Front Seats | Manually Adjustable (4-way) | Manually Adjustable (4-way) |
| Rear Seats | Flat-Folding | Flat-Folding |
| Cargo Volume with Rear Seats Upright (liters) | 36 | – |
| Cargo Volume with Rear Seats Folded (liters) | 285 | 740 |
| Steering Wheel Material | Plastic | Plastic |
| Instrument Cluster | None | 7-inch Digital |
| Infotainment Display | 10-inch Touchscreen | None |
| Air Conditioning | Manual, Single-Zone | Manual, Single-Zone |
| In-Car Air Filtration | Yes | No |
| Audio System | 2 Speakers | 2 Speakers |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Yes | No |
| Camping Mode | Yes | |
| Remote Vehicle Location Tracking | Yes (via VinFast App) | |
| Remote Control of Vehicle Functions | Yes (via Display) | |
| Account Management | Yes (via Display and VinFast App) | |
| Location Search and Navigation | Yes | |
| Automatic Maintenance/Service Scheduling Suggestions | Yes (via VinFast App) | |
| Remote Monitoring/Display of Vehicle Status Information |
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