Second generation VinFast VF 8: smaller, weaker, but cheaper
VinFast has introduced the second generation of its electric crossover VF 8 in Vietnam. The new model arrives five years after the original, created with the involvement of the Pininfarina design studio. Interestingly, unlike most updates, the new VF 8 has become physically smaller than its predecessor, and has also lost power and range.
Design and dimensions
Visually, the car features an aggressive front end reminiscent of a comic book villain’s helmet. V-shaped LED headlights frame a glossy black closed grille and narrow side air intakes. A similar stylistic solution is applied at the rear. In profile, a rising window line is noticeable, evoking associations with the Peugeot 2008 and Alfa Romeo Junior. The car is equipped with 19-inch aerodynamic wheels.
Most automakers increase the length of a car during a generational change. VinFast took a different path. The new VF 8 has a length of 4701 mm, which is 49 mm shorter than its predecessor. The wheelbase has been reduced even more significantly — by 110 mm, to 2840 mm.
Interior and features
Inside, the cabin remains five-seat, but the number of physical buttons has been further reduced. Most functions are now controlled via a 12.9-inch infotainment display (the predecessor had a 15.6-inch screen). For the first time in this model, a digital instrument cluster has appeared, paired with a two-spoke steering wheel. Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker audio system, and a full suite of active safety systems (ADAS).
Technical specifications
The new VF 8 is built on a new architecture with an electrical system oriented towards a Software Defined Vehicle. Drive is front-wheel drive, with a single electric motor producing 228 hp (170 kW). It is powered by a 60.13 kWh battery, which, according to the manufacturer, provides a range of up to 500 km under the NEDC cycle.
These characteristics represent a significant step backward compared to the previous VF 8, which in its dual-motor all-wheel drive version produced up to 402 hp (300 kW) and had a much larger 87.7 kWh battery.
Price and prospects
VinFast will start accepting pre-orders for the VF 8 in Vietnam on May 27, with first deliveries scheduled for the end of July. The price of the electric vehicle starts at 999 million Vietnamese dong, which at the current exchange rate is approximately $37,900 USD. This is cheaper than the previous generation, which in Vietnam cost from 1.019 billion dong (about $38,700) for the Eco version.
Whether the new VF 8 will leave Vietnam is still a big question. The company has not confirmed export plans. This is important because the original VF 8 was supposed to be the car that solidified VinFast’s presence in the US, but that did not happen. Last year, fewer than 1,500 units were sold in the US. Nevertheless, VinFast continues construction of its factory in North Carolina, where EV production is planned to begin by 2028. Globally, the company’s business is faring better: in 2025, it set a record by delivering 196,919 vehicles.
Thus, VinFast’s strategy with the release of the second generation VF 8 appears to be an attempt to make the model more affordable for the domestic market, sacrificing size and power for a lower price. This decision may be justified in Vietnam, where demand for more affordable electric vehicles is growing. However, for international markets, especially the US, where competition in the electric crossover segment is extremely high, such a move may prove risky. The reduction in range and power is unlikely to make the VF 8 more attractive against offerings from Tesla, Hyundai, or Kia. It seems that VinFast is betting on the domestic market, postponing ambitious global expansion plans until the launch of its US factory.