ELECTRIA: VinFast VF5: adequate alternative

The VinFast VF 5 is part of the brand’s initial offering, aimed to capitalize on the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market and the Philippines’ competitive crossover segment. 

On that note, many — especially those who plan to switch to a more sustainable means of transportation — see it as a viable alternative to internal combustion engine-powered models like the Toyota Raize, Geely GX3 Pro, and Kia Sonet. 

Zighwheels Philippines spent a week with the VinFast VF 5 and here are our thoughts. 

City-friendly size 

The VinFast VF 5 boasts a compact size, making it a city-friendly crossover. Below are its dimensions: 

Overall length (in mm)	3,976
Overall width (in mm)	1,723
Overall height (in mm)	1,579
Wheelbase (in mm)	2,514
Ground clearance (in mm)	160

The abovementioned numbers allow maneuverability even in tight traffic. The author was able to take on the afternoon queue at C5 and Bonifacio Global City (BGC) thanks to the VinFast VF 5’s small form factor, which made it easy to drive around, even with everyone looking to get past the post-lunch rush. 

Its ground clearance also made climbing up and going down parking ramps a breeze. 

Eye-catching exterior 

While driving the VinFast VF 5 around, I noticed a handful of motorists and bystanders eyeing the Brahimny White-finished electric automobile. 

At the fore is a prominent chrome “V” badge accompanied by flowing accents on each side. Noticeable also is the cluster of lights, comprised of halogen headlamps, daytime running lights, and turn signals. It is worth noting that the headlights have automatic functionality and help when passing through tunnels or driving at dusk. A plastic bumper rounds up the features of its fascia. 

The side profiles of the VinFast VF 5 are highlighted by black plastic claddings. These can be found on the side sills and on the wheel arches that connect to the front and rear bumpers. The lower portion of its doors also have textured plastic protectors, which is a plus. Its A- and B-pillars are also swathed in black. Similarly, the manual-folding (but power adjustable) side mirrors with repeaters get a dash of dark paint. 

The VinFast VF 5 rides on 17-inch wheels wrapped with 205/55 radial tires. 

At the back, the crossover gets a decent-sized glass topped with a roof-mounted spoiler with an integrated brake lamp, taillamps installed on the vehicle’s bumper, and a hydraulically assisted tailgate. It also comes with the VinFast badge flanked by long reflectors. 

Overall, the VinFast VF 5’s exterior offers a mix of flowing lines and sleek contours. Its looks somehow tie in with the eco-friendly character of the crossover and could potentially attract car buyers looking for such a vehicle. 

Economical interior 

The cabin of the VinFast VF 5 offers a mix of economical features. 

First, the driver is faced with a plastic, flat-bottom steering wheel with multi-functional controls and some chrome appliques. 

Past the said steering wheel is a seven-inch digital instrument cluster.

Here, the driver can check various information, which we have listed below: 

• Speedometer
• Odometer
• Engaged gear 
• Driving mode
• Battery level
• Range 
• Regenerative braking indicator 

It is complemented by an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that doubles as a monitor for the crossover’s backup camera. It has several useful apps but is limited to Android Auto, which some might see as a deal breaker.  

The VinFast VF 5 has a manual hand brake and a rotary-type gear selector. It also has a push-start button that can be found alongside the door lock and hazard light controls. 

Abundant in the cabin is the presence of hard plastics. They can be seen on the steering wheel, dashboard, center console, and door trims of the crossover. Nevertheless, the seats and the boot of the manual hand brake lever are finished in leather-like material. 

Finally, I would like to point out that the VinFast VF 5 has no interior lights so you might have to use your phone when searching for small items inside the car. 

In general, I find the interior of the VinFast VF 5 quite lacking. For a vehicle that has a full price of a little over one million, I would expect some amenities that would improve my overall driving experience. 

A center armrest for storing more everyday carry items, for example, would be appreciated. 

Decent performance  

The VinFast VF 5 uses a single electric motor powered by a 38.4 kilowatt-hour battery. 

It puts out 134 horses with 135 Newton-meters of torque. In terms of range, a full battery should cover some 326 kilometers. 

When it comes to stop-and-go city driving, the said numbers translate to decent performance. The electric motor smoothly pushes the crossover forward and the disc brakes offer ample stopping power. 

It also drives adequately in the expressways as it has no problems zooming to at least the toll road’s suggested speed limit. 

My only gripe is its handling and overall ride quality. 

At South Luzon Expressway, the road imperfections were clearly felt inside. Similarly, sound from outside the vehicle still penetrated the cabin even when traversing the somewhat modern and not-so-frequented Cavite-Laguna Expressway.

Some level of stability can be observed when going through straightaways but there is a noticeable body roll when taking on corners. 

In addition, the VinFast VF 5 appears to have no hill-hold or hill-start feature. That means it will roll back when one gets stuck in traffic on an uphill thoroughfare — like the ascending service road leading to BGC’s 26th Street. 

Some footwork is required to slowly crawl forward or the driver can use the manual hand brake to prevent the crossover from going backward, then slowly letting it go while slightly stepping on the accelerator to move ahead. 

Even when parked, the car will move back when the hand brake is disengaged when sitting on an uneven area. 

Passable safety features 

When it comes to safety, the VinFast VF 5 has the following technologies: 

• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind spot detection 
• Rear parking assist 
• Rearview camera with guide lines 
• Speed-sensing door locks 

Verdict 

The VinFast VF 5 sure has some shortcomings. But despite looking and feeling like an entry-level EV, it can give would-be owners the driving and ownership experience of an emissions-free vehicle without breaking the bank. 

On that note, it makes the crossover an adequate alternative to traditional ICE nameplates. 

At the time of writing, the VinFast VF 5 is listed on the carmaker’s website in a single variant. It is priced at P880,000 with a battery subscription program or at P1.05 million without battery subscription plan. 

Also read:

VinFast VF 5: highs and lows

Cabin check: What’s inside the VinFast VF 5?

Here are VinFast VF 5's color options