VinFast announced that it has begun deliveries of the three-row VinFast VF 9 SUV as the Vietnamese EV maker continues to expand its reach in the U.S. vehicle market despite hitting some early stumbling blocks not only with the launch of the VF 8 but also construction of a key plant in the eastern United States. The VF 9 promises to push the company into the luxury SUV market but can it help play a part in VinFast’s master plan?
VF 9 is more than just a number
Unlike the smaller VF 8 that we tested in California a short time ago, the VF 9 is the company’s first three-row SUV entry and we actually had a chance to see it in concept form at the same event in California. The VF 9 is roughly the size of the Hyundai Palisade and is meant to appeal to family buyers who need the extra space for kids and cargo. The first eight of these SUVs were delivered to customers at a lavish ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Los Angeles complete with fireworks and other activities.
Deliveries of the VF 9 are well behind schedule but while this might seem like a bad thing at first glance, the company used the delay to make sure that the VF 9 could live up to the high-quality standards that customers expect with some of this extra caution coming from the lessons learned from the smaller VF 8’s launch. That model was rushed to the market too fast and it received mixed reviews from critics and some customers. The VF 9 will come in two distinct trim levels with the base Eco model starting at $69,800 before fees which is $12,000 less than the original price before the company announced cuts for the model. The better-equipped Plus model starts at $73,800 before fees and is the one to go for if buyers want more luxury features.
Both models get the same 402 horsepower dual-electric motor layout but the Eco puts a higher priority on efficiency while the Plus focuses on performance with the company saying that model can make the sprint to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds with both models also getting a 123 kWh battery pack. The Eco gets 330 miles of range between charges while the Plus sees its range dip slightly to 291 miles which is partially due to the bigger 21-inch wheels that this model gets.
Italian design continues to shine
Italian design house Pininfarina was once again tasked with crafting the VF 9’s styling but unlike the VF 8, the firm chose to use a more distinctive design for the bigger 9 with the front end getting a more aggressive look and the sides getting more pronounced curves and creaees. Even the rear end (typically a prominent weak point in many SUVs) also gets a sportier look too. The interior benefits from some of the decisions VinFast made in constructing the vehicle with the battery pack being mounted in the floor. This floor arrangement helps maximize interior space especially for rear passengers. The VF 9’s dashboard is dominated by a massive 15.6-inch display screen with the screen serving as the figurative hub for many of the SUV’s features as well as the instrument cluster. The screen uses an internet connection to deliver select features to consumers including onboard navigation.
VinFast also used high-quality materials in the cabin’s design and it seems the company is taking this aspect very seriously especially when you look at some of the color tones that are available for the SUV. Mike Nolte VinFast’s Vice President of Network Sales stated “We are very excited to officially hand over the VF 9, VinFast’s second e-SUV model in the U.S. market. VF 9 is one of the few seven-passenger, 3-row electric car models on the market. We believe that the VF 9 will be the ideal vehicle for large families, delivering premium quality and a luxurious experience while maintaining excellent value.”
Where can I buy one?
VinFast still has a relatively small dealer network but it has grown quite a bit since the last time we heard from the company with VinFast now operating 15 stores and 4 service centers in California. In addition to these locations, the company is also partnering with 36 dealerships for additional locations across the United States with 15 states currently being part of the expanded network.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.