VinFast VF 5: highs and lows

VinFast has presented its offerings to the Philippine market with much fanfare not too long ago. Included in the lineup is the VF 5 all-electric crossover, which gives local electric vehicle (EV) adopters a viable daily driver packed with the basic features one would want in an emissions-free vehicle.

To help customers eyeing to drive home the VinFast VF 5 get to know the nameplate a little more, here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of the Vietnamese carmaker’s compact sport utility vehicle.

Pros:

Decent range

The VinFast VF 5 offers a decent range, making it a practical city car for those who dwell in the metro.

According to VinFast’s local wing, the VF 5 crossover is capable of running up to 326 kilometers on a single charge thanks to its 38.4-kilowatt-hour battery. For reference, the said driving range is equivalent to at least three trips back and forth between Santa Rosa, Laguna and Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The VinFast VF 5 offers a sustainable and affordable means of traveling around as one can juice up the battery at home or charge it at some shopping malls for free. If one is in a hurry though, he or she can quickly get the battery up through Shell’s quick charging stations at major expressways at a cost.

Easy-to-maintain interior

The cabin of the VinFast VF 5 has plenty of hard plastics and components that were probably chosen to prioritize durability and longevity instead of opulence and luxury.

Inside the VinFast VF 5 are seats finished in leather-like material. The steering wheel and the dashboard, as well as the center console, have surfaces that appear to be made with plastic materials.

As long as one can get past the plasticky feel of the cabin, owners will appreciate the VinFast VF 5’s easy-to-clean interior. Since the trims used on the vehicle can easily be wiped spick-and-span, one can immediately spruce up the inside of the crossover without having to take it to the detailer.

In addition, the black color scheme of the VinFast VF 5 means that it will not quickly get dirty unlike those with lighter interior hues.

Affordable, flexible terms

Arguably one of the most appealing aspects about the ownership experience of VinFast EVs are the company’s flexible offers.

The VinFast VF 5 is offered with a price tag of P1.191 million. However, VinFast Philippines has adopted the battery subscription services of its Vietnamese and Indonesian counterparts and is selling the crossover for P992,000 under a battery subscription program.

In addition, VinFast Philippines (from July 20-August 5) allows customers to reserve the VF 5 for as low as P5,000. They will also get a P50,000 discount if they pay for the vehicle in cash or get a low downpayment plan for as low as P47,000. During the promo period over P50,000 worth of freebies are up for grabs for VF 5 customers, a discount of up to P69,000, and the chance to be one of the 100 winners of an additional P95,000 discount.

Cons:

Could use more safety features

The VinFast VF 5 comes with a handful of safety technologies as well as driving nannies, these include rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot detection, rear parking assist, and a rearview camera with guidelines.

However, it feels like the carmaker could still improve its lineup of safety features and maybe highlight some of the technologies to attract more car buyers, especially those who value safety in the vehicles they purchase.

Also read:

VinFast recognized as among TIME100’s most influential firms

VinFast PH reveals VF 5 pricing

Could VinFast VF 5 be offered in PH with battery subscription program?