VinFast VF 9

Like the exterior, the interior of the VinFast Vf 9 also has a clean but very unique-looking layout, which focuses highly on quality and minimalism. The Philippines-spec version of the VF 9 is being offered with dual-tone black and brown upholstery, wrapped in vegan leather. 

While there is no conventional instrument console, the Vinfast VF 9 has a huge 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which also doubles up as an interface for the instrument console, climate control and other vital functions of the vehicle. The VF 9 has a three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel, which has satin silver inserts and a coloured head-up display behind it. 

The centre console of the VinFast VF 9’s cabin also has four toggle-like buttons for the transmission mode, which are placed alongside the concealed compartment for cup holders. Behind these switches, the VF 9 has a pad for wireless charging. The VF 9 is offered with a seven-seater configuration, with the second-row seats having a 60:40 split theme and the third-row seats having a 50:50 split theme. 

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Cabin feels minimalist but elegant

Con: Every function integrated into the central screen might take some time to get used to

Features and Technology

Being a premium full-size electric crossover that is rivalling the best of electric luxury motoring, the VinFast VF 9 has a lot of features to experience. This electric crossover has premium features like power, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats with massage function, a panoramic glass roof and a tri-zone automatic climate control with rear AC vents and air purifier.

This flagship electric vehicle from VinFast also gets a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a head-up display, an AI-powered virtual assistant, an 8-inch rear entertainment screen, a 14-speaker audio system, a wireless charging pad, eight USB charging ports, ambient lighting and a powered tailgate. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Comes packed with several new-generation comfort and convenience essentials.

Con: Cooling efficiency in the third-row could have been better

Boot Space and Storage

The VinFast VF 9 offers the flexibility of foldable third-row seats, which come with a 50:50 split-folding setup. With the third-row seats up, the VF 9 offers a limited boot space of 212 litres, which is expandable up to 926 litres after folding down the third-row seats. There is also an additional 75 litres of storage space at the front (frunk), which is decent enough to store the charger that comes with the vehicle.

In its cabin, the VinFast VF 9 also has a lot of small storage spaces, including a small space in the lower centre console below the infotainment system, cup holders in the lower front centre console and the rear seat centre armrest, all-four door pockets, a drawer under the driver’s seat, a glove compartment and front seatback pockets. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Decent boot space after folding down the rear seats

Con: Boot space with rear seats up could have been more

Measuring over five metres in length, the VinFast VF 9 is one of the largest all-electric crossover SUVs on sale in the world. With a long wheelbase and a crossover-esque design, the VF 9 has the combined stance of an SUV and a fastback, which only looks better with the unique design elements it has all around.

Starting from the front, the VinFast VF 9 has an angular fascia, with trapezoidal headlamps clusters having Matrix LED projectors on the sides and a closed grille with a triangular-inspired central “V’ emblem in the middle. This fascia has a distinctive LED light signature, which also covers the central emblem. The large, C-shaped housings for the vertical air vents on the sides of the front bumper add more visual mass to the front of the VF 9.

Adding more aerodynamics to the overall design of the VinFast VF 9 are the sleek front splitter, lowered ground clearance and curved bonnet with air vents and smooth contours. The unique characteristics of the side profile of the VF 9 are muscular contours over the front and rear fenders, flush-type door handles and the butterfly-inspired design for the C-pillar, with the crossover having 21-inch alloy wheels as standard for the Philippines-spec model.

The rear profile of the VinFast VF 9 has a wraparound tail lamp cluster, with sleek-looking tail lamps on the sides connected by an LED light bar sitting within a similarly sized central illuminated cluster. The central part of this illuminated cluster also mirrors the “V” motif of the front. The rest of the boot lid has a cleaner design, with the VF 9 also having silver-themed surrounds for the rear reflectors. In the Philippines, the VF 9 is available in four colours – Jet Black, Brahminy White, Deep Ocean and Neptune Grey. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Unique-looking LED headlamps and LED DRLs

Cons: Could have had a higher ground clearance for a more rugged appeal

The battery option on offer for the VinFast VF 9 is a 123kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which is the largest on offer ever in a VinFast vehicle. Claiming a range of 602 km (WLTP-tested), this battery pack is compatible with 11kW AC charging and DC fast charging up to 160kW. VinFast claims that this battery can be charged from 10-70 per cent in approximately 35 minutes with the DC fast charging option. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Impressive range

Con: Nothing much actually

The VinFast VF 9 is armed with independent double wishbone suspension at the front and multi-link suspension at the rear, both of which are accompanied by air springs and adaptive dampers. With this sophisticated suspension setup, the VinFast VF 9 has a supple and well-settled ride quality, which only gets better at higher speeds with its low-slung stance and aerodynamic profile. 

Equipped with all-wheel disc brakes, the VinFast VF 9 also features three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport, and as the name suggests, these driving modes offer varying driving experiences depending on the throttle response and driver’s preference. However, we do wish that the steering feels a bit more communicative at higher speeds.  

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Comfortable ride quality

Con: Lacklustre steering feedback at higher speeds

Both the variants of the VinFast VF 9 are on sale with an all-wheel drive setup, featuring a dual motor setup with one motor each at the front and the rear. The combined power and torque outputs of these two motors are rated at 402 bhp and 620 Nm respectively – figures that make the VF 9 the most powerful VinFast vehicle on sale today. Paired with a single-speed transmission, the dual-motor setup of VinFast VF 9 gives it a top speed of 200 kmph, while enabling it to cover the 0-10 kmph sprint in 6.8 seconds. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Quick for its size

Con: Could have had a higher top speed

Like the comfort and convenience features set, the safety net of the VinFast VF 9 is also supremely comprehensive, with the electric crossover getting up to 11 airbags, including dual front, side, curtain, knee and centre airbags. The crossover also gets ABS with EBD, hill start assist, hill descent control, electronic stability control, traction control, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree parking camera, tyre pressure monitoring system and emergency SOS and auto e-call feature. 

Like any other range-topping flagship vehicle, the VinFast VF 9 is also loaded with advanced level-2 ADAS features, the suite of which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping and departure warning, blind spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert, smart auto parking, driver monitoring system and lane change alert. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Comprehensive safety equipment list offered as standard

Con: Nothing much actually

Competitor Comparison

The only three-row all-electric crossover and SUV offerings that are direct competitors to the VinFast VF 9 are the BYD Tang and the Mercedes-Benz EQB. The similarly-priced all-electric five-seater rivals of the VF 9 are Zeekr X, Volvo EX30, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and BMW iX1. 

Conclusion and Final Verdict

Despite being a relatively new product which takes on some well-established rivals, the VinFast VF 9 has covered its ground by being a well-rounded package. With a great road presence featuring a long wheelbase and unique design language, a smart and feature-loaded cabin and impressive performance and range, the VF 9 has enough ingredients to make it a practical car with lots of star value. However, the limited brand network and lineage is something about which many traditional car buyers might have second thoughts.