ELECTRIA: VinFast VF 3 - When simplicity just works

When we hear the words “electric vehicle” (EV), we often associate it with something high-tech and futuristic. For the most part, this holds true. A good number of brands, after all, have fashioned their all-electric rides with revolutionary design directions that are bristling with tech and creature comforts. 

In recent years, a good number of locally present marques have gone the other direction, and instead rolled out small and uncomplicated electric vehicles with highly accessible price tags. One clear example of the aforementioned is the VinFast VF 3. 

As far as first impressions go, the VinFast VF 3, like many of its smaller all-electric compatriots, is seen as an EV nameplate for the economy segment in the local market. As such, many will like to think that it has tons of compromises. 

So, the question now is, how does this “basic” subcompact EV really feel to drive? To answer this question, Zigwheels Philippines was invited by VinFast’s local arm to an event, wherein we drove all the way from Tagaytay back to Alabang in the VF 3. Here’s how the drive went. 

Powertrain, drive

For its powertrain, the VinFast VF 3 uses a single motor setup that sends 40 horsepower (hp) and 110 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque to its rear wheels. Supply juice to the said motor is an 18.64-kilowatt-hour battery. 

While its output figures sound minuscule, they are more than enough to propel the relatively lightweight VF 3 up to highway speeds. We also didn’t find any difficulties when dealing with the uphill sections of Tagaytay. 

Now, for the crux of the matter, the VF 3 has a New European Driving Cycle-indicated range of 215 kilometers. The said range, of course, was more than enough to cover the 46-kilometer drive from VinFast Alabang to Anya Resort in Buenavista Hills Road, Mag-Asawang Ilat, Tagaytay. 

When topping up, the VinFast EV’s state-of-charge can be increased from 10-70 percent in just 36 minutes. With all that said, one can actually use the small all-electric ride for going to destinations such as Clark, Pampanga (121 km from Alabang) or Tanay, Rizal (71.9 km from Alabang). 

The aforementioned sounds reassuring, but be aware that driving the VF 3 out to the provinces can be tricky since you have to get back into the city. Not all vacay spots outside Metro Manila, after all, have EV charging spots. 

Then again, those determined to use their VF 3s as their journeying companion can still depend on the growing EV charging network in the country. It is stable at highway speeds, and it can even perform overtakes due to its instantaneous torque. 

Be aware, though, that the VinFast VF 3 doesn’t have alternating current (AC) charging. It only has direct current (DC) charging - a huge pain point since most charging facilities spread around the country right now use AC. 

Steering the VinFast VF 3 is straightforward, but, like many other cars nowadays, it doesn’t provide much feedback. Its front MacPherson strut and rear rigid axle suspension systems can also be a bit jarring over large potholes and bumps. On the one hand, the model didn’t show much body roll in corners. 

Low-speed travel on the VF 3 is also notably pleasant, thanks to its whisper-quiet powertrain. Then at highway speeds, wind and road noise freely enter the cabin, but that’s par for the course since this accessibly-priced car doesn’t get much in the way of sound deadening. 

Driving the VinFast VF 3, overall, however, is quite fun. Its rear-wheel-drive layout and stability give it a go-kart feel.

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Exterior 

When it comes to exterior design, the VinFast VF 3 is simple but also appealing. It is reminiscent of age-old cars from the 1980s, where sedans and hatchbacks were shaped like bricks. 

Come to think of it, the VinFast EV somewhat looks like a small sport utility vehicle. Sure, it isn’t a “true” SUV, but one cannot deny the macho charm radiating from its chunky wheel arches, tall windows, and its relatively tall ride height. 

VinFast also touts the VF 3 as a blank canvas for those who want to customize it and give it more of a unique “personality.” In our opinion, we can see that working since the ride appears to have flat body surfaces with minimal character lines - easier to wrap than most other modern EV nameplates. 

Additionally, the vehicle comes with huge wheel wells. The aforementioned allows one to fit larger (fancier) tires on the car. Plus, the model has a load-bearing roof, which is excellent for accessories like cargo carriers and aftermarket roof racks. 

On the flip side, the VinFast VF 3 doesn’t get much in the way of exterior amenities. It has halogen exterior lighting fixtures, manual side mirrors, front wipers, and a set of steel wheels with a hub cover. That’s it. 

Those might dissuade buyers who like amenities, but its outright dearth of exterior amenities is the same reason as to why it is so moddable. A subset of buyers will also like its simplicity, simply because that just means fewer things to fix years down the line. 

Interior

The interior of the VinFast VF 3 mirrors the straightforwardness of its exterior. It has fabric-covered seats, a central infotainment display, a column-mounted shifter, power windows, a manual handbrake, a manual hand-operated parking brake, and a manual air-conditioning system.

Sounds like a small list, but everything inside the car is well-arranged and works well enough even for a first-time user. 

Space for the front row is also ample enough for the author’s heavy-set 5-foot, 11-inch frame, though we found that its lack of arm support (armrest) could become annoying during long drives. The steering wheel’s lack of adjustability may also be an issue for people with longer arms. 

As for its rear seats, well, it can be tight in the knees for taller folk. And yes, only two can sit abreast at the rear. There’s also the fact that if the rear seats are occupied, one will have to work around the absence of a usable trunk. Thankfully, the rear seats can be folded down, resulting in 285 liters of cargo room. 

Another pain point for rear occupants is a lack of rear doors. Then again, one can easily tumble down the front seats with a lever. 

We also like the fact that it has physical knobs for its air-conditioning system. It also has a fair amount of cubby holes to store your knick-knacks. 

Ready to buy a brand-new VinFast VF 3? Check out these exclusive offers from Zigwheels Philippines.

Safety

Safety-wise, the VinFast VF 3 has anti-lock braking, traction control, hill-start assist, an engine immobilizer, and a theft alarm. It only has one airbag, but it does get a rear parking assist system and a rearview camera. 

VinFast VF 3: specifications

Model	VinFast VF 3
Exterior
Dimensions ( LxWx H, in mm)	3,190x1,679x1,622
Wheelbase (mm)	2,075
Ground clearance (mm)	191
Wheel size	16-inch
Lighting system	Halogen
Interior
Material	Fabric
Amenities	Drive mode selector Electronic parking brake Manual air-conditioning Wi-Fi connection USB ports 60:40 split-folding rear seats 4-way manual adjust front seats 2-piece speaker system Bluetooth connectivity Window demister/defroster Regenerative braking
Instrument cluster	-
Infotainment system	10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	4
Cargo capacity	285 liters (rear seats down)
Powertrain
Motor	Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Battery capacity (kWh)	18.64
Range	215
Horsepower	43
Torque	110 Newton-meters
Brakes	Front disc/rear drum
Technologies
Safety	Dual front airbags Anti-lock braking Brake assist Traction control Hill-start assist Speed-sensing door locks Seatbelt reminder Rear parking assist Rear parking camera
Price	P745,000

Final thoughts

In summary, the VinFast VF 3 can serve as a road-trip car, though with many limitations and a rather simple feature set. Compared to larger (more expensive) EV models, it has a smaller range and markedly fewer creature comforts. Plus, one has to plot their routes carefully, since it only has DC charging. 

Nevertheless, the vehicle is a good value for the money, thanks to its highly accessible price of P745,000, and its decent on-road performance - even on the highways. Sure, this won’t become your primary mode of transport if you intend to go on longer journeys, but this ride will have no issues on out-of-town day trips. 

On the one hand, this ride will no doubt do well in the confines of the city. So, for folks looking for a second coding-free car, do give this one a test drive at your nearest VinFast dealership.

Also read:

Here are the VinFast VF 3's 9 energetic shades

Here are the VinFast VF 3's highs and lows

3 reasons why Gen Z drivers would love the VinFast VF 3

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