VinFast VF 8
Specs, engines and history
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By Felix Hartmann, Automotive Technology & EV Contributor
- Built
- 2022–present
- Top power
- 300 kW (408 PS)
Which VF 8 to choose and its rivals
Our verdict · Felix Hartmann
On the German list the Eco with the 87.7 kWh battery, at €48,490 in 2023, offers the longest range and the lowest price. In the same 2023 list the Plus adds 40 kW and 120 Nm for €6,000 more, but its WLTP range is lower. Given the mixed reviews, a long test drive is advisable, and buyers of a used car should check that software updates have been installed.
Rivals in the class include the Tesla Model Y and the Volkswagen ID.5.
The VinFast VF 8 is a mid-size electric SUV from Vietnam, styled by Pininfarina and built at VinFast's plant in Hai Phong since 2022. Both versions have two motors and all-wheel drive, with 260 kW in the Eco and 300 kW in the Plus, and batteries of 82 or 87.7 kWh usable capacity. The VF 8 was among the first VinFast models offered in the US and Europe; early American reviews were largely critical, and a second generation was revealed in May 2026.
VinFast was founded in June 2017 as the car-making arm of Vingroup, the Vietnamese conglomerate chaired by Phạm Nhật Vượng. Its first models, the LUX A2.0 saloon and LUX SA2.0 SUV of 2019, were petrol cars based on BMW technology, and the small Fadil was built under licence from General Motors. In 2022 the company announced that it would build only electric cars. VinFast has traded on Nasdaq since 15 August 2023, began selling in France, Germany and the Netherlands in 2022, and opened a plant in Thoothukudi, India, in August 2025.
Specs by version
Engines
Dimensions and weight
Show all 2 versions
| Version | Battery |
|---|---|
| Eco | 82 kWh |
| Plus | 82 kWh |
Verified Manufacturer and type-approval data from our catalog · Sources and methodology
In short
- Built since 2022 in Hai Phong, Vietnam; first 100 customer cars delivered on 10 September 2022.
- Eco: 260 kW and 500 Nm; Plus: 300 kW and 620 Nm; both with two motors and all-wheel drive.
- Batteries of 82 or 87.7 kWh usable; WLTP range from 399 km (Plus) to 470 km (Eco).
- Euro NCAP 2023: four stars; German list prices from €48,490 with the battery included (April 2023).
VinFast VF 8 at a glance
| Parameter | VinFast VF 8 |
|---|---|
| Production | since 2022, Hai Phong (Cát Hải, Vietnam) |
| Design | Pininfarina; VinFast design team led by David Lyon |
| Body | five-door mid-size SUV |
| Drive | two motors, all-wheel drive |
| Power | 260 kW (Eco), 300 kW (Plus) |
| Torque | 500 Nm (Eco), 620 Nm (Plus) |
| Batteries | 82 kWh usable; extended range 87.7 kWh usable (90 kWh gross) |
| WLTP range | 399 km (Plus, standard battery) to 470 km (Eco, extended battery) |
| Battery cells | Samsung SDI (early cars) |
| Successor | second generation revealed 21 May 2026 |
Launch in Vietnam, the US and Europe
VinFast presented the VF 8 in January 2022 and opened Vietnamese orders the same month. The first 100 cars reached customers on 10 September 2022. For the US the company opened six showrooms in California on 14 July 2022 and planned deliveries from autumn that year. It also broke ground on a plant in North Carolina in 2023, but production of the VF 7, VF 8 and VF 9 there has been postponed to 2028.
In Europe VinFast started in 2022 with France, Germany and the Netherlands, later moving to franchised dealers. A planned UK launch was cancelled in 2024. The ADAC catalogue lists German prices for the VF 8 from April 2023.
Versions, batteries and range
| Version | Power | Torque | Battery (usable) | WLTP range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eco | 260 kW (353 PS) | 500 Nm | 82 or 87.7 kWh | up to 470 km (87.7 kWh) |
| Plus | 300 kW (408 PS) | 620 Nm | 82 or 87.7 kWh | from 399 km (82 kWh) |
US figures differ slightly: 499 Nm for the Eco and the same 620 Nm for the Plus. Ratios of power and weight can be compared with the power-to-weight calculator, and the electric car hub collects other electric SUVs.
VinFast introduced battery leasing as an option. In the US the battery was leased separately, and VinFast promised to replace a leased battery whose capacity fell below 70 % of its original value. In Germany the ADAC catalogue shows both offers in 2023: the car with the battery included, or a lower price plus monthly battery rental.
Reviews and driving
The first American reviews in 2022 and 2023 were mostly negative. Road & Track, MotorTrend, InsideEVs and Car and Driver criticised the build quality, the ride, the steering and the brakes, as well as driver-assistance systems that issued constant warnings; Jalopnik called the car "an embarrassment in any market". There were positive points too: MotorTrend's tester found the range better than advertised, and Green Car Reports praised the infotainment system and the ten-year warranty.
Reviews of later model years help judge whether the criticism still applies; the video below tests a 2025 car.
Safety: Euro NCAP and investigations
Euro NCAP tested the VF 8 Plus with two 150 kW motors in 2023 and awarded four stars, published on 6 December 2023. It scored 76 % for adult occupants, 89 % for children, 77 % for vulnerable road users and 79 % for safety assist. The adult-occupant score is the weakest of the four.
In September 2024 the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the lane-keeping assistant after 14 complaints. ASEAN NCAP also tested the car in 2022. Buyers should ask the dealer about software updates for the assistance systems.
Prices in Germany
| Version (from 04/2023) | Power | Battery | List price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VF 8 Eco, battery included | 260 kW (353 PS) | 87.7 kWh | €48,490 |
| VF 8 Plus, battery included | 300 kW (408 PS) | 87.7 kWh | €54,490 |
| VF 8 Eco, battery rented (04–10/2023) | 260 kW (353 PS) | 82 kWh | €45,700 |
| VF 8 Eco, battery included (04–10/2023) | 260 kW (353 PS) | 82 kWh | €61,700 |
| VF 8 Plus, battery rented (04–10/2023) | 300 kW (408 PS) | 82 kWh | €52,300 |
| VF 8 Plus, battery included (04–10/2023) | 300 kW (408 PS) | 82 kWh | €68,300 |
All prices come from the ADAC catalogue. Since October 2023 only the two versions with the 87.7 kWh battery included have remained in the German list, and in 2023 the Eco with that battery cost €13,210 less than the Eco with the 82 kWh battery bought outright.
The second-generation VF 8
VinFast revealed a new VF 8 on 21 May 2026, with production planned for the same year. In Vietnam it comes with a single 170 kW (231 PS) motor and front-wheel drive, a clear change from the twin-motor first generation. Details for Europe were not available in the sources used here.
Photo gallery
VinFast VF 8 in our rankings
- No. 58 of 197 · Most powerful SUVs and crossovers (300 kW · top 30%)
- No. 38 of 118 · Most torque: SUVs and crossovers (620 Nm · top 33%)
- No. 119 of 368 · Most torque: cars (620 Nm · top 33%)
- No. 285 of 859 · Most powerful cars (300 kW · top 34%)
- No. 32 of 78 · Biggest batteries: electric cars (82 kWh · top 42%)
- No. 42 of 97 · Most powerful electric cars (300 kW · top 44%)
More powerful than 70% of ranked SUVs and crossovers in the 1CARS catalog (No. 58 of 197).
FAQ
Where is the VinFast VF 8 made?
At VinFast's plant in Hai Phong, Vietnam, since 2022. A plant in North Carolina, USA, is planned for 2028.
What is the range of the VinFast VF 8?
On the WLTP cycle, from 399 km for the Plus with the standard battery to 470 km for the Eco with the extended battery.
Who designed the VinFast VF 8?
Pininfarina styled the car; VinFast's own design team was led by David Lyon.
How powerful is the VinFast VF 8?
The Eco has 260 kW (353 PS) and 500 Nm, the Plus 300 kW (408 PS) and 620 Nm, both with two motors and all-wheel drive.
How safe is the VinFast VF 8?
Euro NCAP gave it four stars in 2023. The VF 8 Plus scored 76 % for adult occupants, 89 % for children, 77 % for vulnerable road users and 79 % for safety assist.
Data sources
Data checked by an editor against the sources below.
