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The Car Awards 2024, a prestigious automotive awards program, has concluded with VinFast electric vehicles taking home top honors. This year, the awards recognized outstanding vehicles across various segments, based on evaluations from a panel of judges and votes from users.
VinFast VF 3 Steals the Show
The VinFast VF 3, the brand’s latest mini electric car, emerged as the winner of the coveted “Car of the Year” award. This recognition can be attributed to its impressive design, versatility, and competitive pricing, ranging from VND 240 to 322 million depending on the battery rental or purchase option.
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Despite not being the first entrant in the mini car segment in Vietnam, the VinFast VF 3 has successfully popularized affordable electric vehicles among consumers. It caters to young individuals with limited budgets who seek both functionality and a fun driving experience.
Since its launch, the VF 3 has witnessed remarkable success, attracting nearly 28,000 orders within the first three days of sales with promotional pricing. In October, VinFast announced that the VF 3 had sold nearly 5,000 units, making it the best-selling car in Vietnam.
The VF 3’s sole competitor in the Vietnamese market, the Wuling Mini EV, was introduced a year earlier and thus was not eligible for the Car Awards 2024.
VinFast VF 7 Leads the Pack in the Crossover C Segment
The VinFast VF 7, the larger sibling of the VF 3, also impressed the judges and secured the highest score in the Crossover C segment, earning the title of “Car of the Year” in its category.
As the only all-electric contender in this segment, the VF 7 boasts impressive performance with a dual-motor setup delivering a combined output of 350 horsepower. This puts it ahead of rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5 in terms of power.
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In addition to its superior performance, the VF 7’s sleek coupe-like roofline and aerodynamically optimized design further enhance its appeal. Currently, the VinFast VF 7 is priced between VND 850 million and VND 1.224 billion, depending on the version and battery purchase or rental option.
VinFast is offering attractive incentives for VF 7 buyers, including a 100% registration fee waiver and complimentary charging.
At the Car Awards 2024, the VinFast VF 7 received an impressive 312 points from the judges and garnered 65.22% of user votes, outperforming competitors such as the Hyundai Tucson, Lynk & Co 01, and Lynk & Co 05.
Kia Sonet Takes the Crown in the Crossover A Segment
In the Crossover A+ / B- segment, the Kia Sonet emerged as the winner with a close score of 275.83 points, narrowly beating its main rival, the Hyundai Venue (274.37 points), and significantly outpacing the Suzuki Jimny, which scored 262 points.
When the Kia Sonet was first introduced, its top-end trim priced above VND 600 million raised some concerns. However, over time, the SUV has proven its success, not just in terms of pricing but also in its features and design.
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With the launch of the mid-life facelift in 2024, the Kia Sonet underwent a stylish transformation, adopting a more fashionable and aggressive design. The LED headlights, inspired by constellations, set it apart from its predecessor.
Priced between VND 539 million and VND 624 million, the Kia Sonet competes with the Hyundai Venue and Toyota Raize in the SUV A segment. As of October, the Kia Sonet has sold 5,801 units, making it the best-selling SUV in its class.
Hyundai Accent Wins in the Low-Slung B Segment
The Low-Slung B segment, introduced in the period from December 2023 to November 2024, featured three contenders: the Hyundai Accent, BYD Dolphin, and Wuling Bingo. Among them, the Hyundai Accent, powered by a gasoline engine, emerged as the winner with an impressive 283.34 points, outperforming its Chinese rivals.
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The Hyundai Accent has undergone a remarkable transformation in its latest generation, sporting a new design with distinctive LED positioning lights and taillights reminiscent of its sibling, the Elantra. This new look gives the Accent a sportier and more muscular appearance. Additionally, the Smartstream 1.5 engine boosts its performance with 15 more horsepower and 12 Nm more torque compared to its predecessor.
Priced between VND 439 million and VND 569 million, the Hyundai Accent offers competitive pricing compared to rivals such as the Toyota Vios (VND 458 million to VND 545 million) and the Honda City (VND 559 million to VND 609 million).
Mitsubishi Xforce Dominates the Crossover B Segment
It comes as no surprise that the Mitsubishi Xforce clinched the “Car of the Year” award in the SUV B segment, as it has consistently performed well since its launch. With sales of over 11,000 units in the first ten months, the Xforce leads the pack in this highly competitive segment.
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The Mitsubishi Xforce stands out with its muscular and rugged design, but it’s the segment-leading features that truly set it apart. In the pure gasoline-powered SUV B segment, the Xforce is the only model to offer features like an electric trunk and Adaptive Cruise Control. Additionally, it offers the most spacious and adjustable rear seats in its class, with eight reclining levels.
Initially, the Mitsubishi Xforce was priced between VND 620 million and VND 699 million for the first three trims. However, the pricing was later adjusted to a range of VND 599 million to VND 680 million. The Ultimate trim, introduced in June, is priced at VND 705 million.
While the pricing is not the most affordable, it positions the “SUV B king” competitively within its segment, alongside rivals such as the Toyota Yaris Cross, MG ZS, Nissan Kicks, BYD Atto 3, VinFast VF 6, and Honda HR-V.
Subaru Crosstrek Makes a Surprising Entrance
In the B+ / C- High-Slung segment, the Subaru Crosstrek took the judges by surprise, earning the highest score and securing the “Car of the Year” title. With 77.78% of user votes, it comfortably outperformed its competitors, the Toyota Corolla Cross and BYD Atto 3.
This outcome is particularly notable as the Crosstrek was only introduced in late October and is one of the most expensive options in the B+ SUV segment in Vietnam.
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As the latest entrant in this segment, the Crosstrek is the only model to offer a full-time symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, setting it apart from its rivals. Built on the philosophy of Japanese car brands, the Crosstrek embodies strength, practicality, and durability, infusing a sense of adventure into the urban SUV scene with its rugged yet stylish exterior.
Priced at VND 1.098 billion for the standard version and VND 1.268 billion for the hybrid version, the Subaru Crosstrek targets a niche market within the B+ SUV segment, where competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross (VND 820 million to VND 905 million), Mazda CX-30 (VND 699 million to VND 749 million), and Peugeot 2008 (VND 719 million to VND 769 million) cater to a wider audience.
Toyota Camry Takes the Lead
In the D-Sedan segment, the Toyota Camry went up against two Chinese newcomers, the BYD Seal and MG7. With its longstanding reputation as a popular choice among Vietnamese customers, the Toyota Camry emerged victorious with over 312 points from the judges.
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The Toyota Camry has recently unveiled its new generation in Vietnam, featuring a refreshed design, updated interior, and an expanded lineup of two hybrid versions. The starting price for the new Camry is VND 1.22 billion.
These changes are expected to reinforce the Camry’s dominance in the D-Sedan segment, where it competes with the Mazda6, Kia K5, Honda Accord, and the new entrants BYD Seal and MG7.
Hyundai Santa Fe Claims a Narrow Victory
In the High-Slung D segment, five contenders vied for the top spot: the Ford Everest, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Fortuner, VinFast VF 8, and the newcomer GAC GS8. It was a close call, but the Hyundai Santa Fe ultimately prevailed with 315.5 points from the judges, barely edging out the Ford Everest, which scored 315.09 points.
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This tight race reflects the competitive landscape in the SUV D segment, where the Ford Everest currently leads in sales, followed by the Hyundai Santa Fe, which has been gaining traction since the launch of its new generation.
The latest Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a refreshed design and has discontinued the hybrid version. It is priced between VND 1.069 billion and VND 1.365 billion.
Volkswagen Viloran Wins in the Mid-Sized MPV Segment
In the Mid-Sized MPV segment, the Volkswagen Viloran faced off against the Kia Carnival and the newcomer GAC M8. With over 311 points from the judges, the Volkswagen Viloran secured the “Car of the Year” title in this category.
The Kia Carnival received over 310 points, while the GAC M8 earned over 295 points.
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The Ford Ranger offers a diverse range of seven trims and a Raptor variant. Pricing starts at VND 665 million and goes up to VND 1.299 billion for the Raptor version.
With the introduction of the Stormtrak trim and facelifts or new generations from its Japanese competitors, the Ford Ranger is expected to maintain its stronghold in this segment.
Lynk & Co 06 Named the Most Promising Car
This year, the Car Awards introduced a new category, the “Most Promising Car,” to recognize outstanding new models that have recently entered the Vietnamese market.
The winner of this award is determined by automotive experts who assess the quality of the product, taking into account its limited time in the market and its potential to gain traction in the following year.
The Lynk & Co 06, a newcomer in the SUV B segment, was named the “Most Promising Car” of the year. Other contenders for this award included the Wuling Bingo, Mitsubishi Triton, BYD Dolphin, Hyundai Venue, Lynk & Co 01, and GAC M8.
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