2024 VinFast VF 9: Too Expensive For Its Own Good

While VinFast refuses to disclose sales figures for the North American market, it appears that things are going quite well. The Vietnamese automaker’s first vehicle, the VF 8 two-row midsize crossover and Tesla Model Y fighter, is becoming an increasingly common sight on the road with hard-to-beat value in an attractive and right-sized package.

Next up is the three-row VF 9, which will be followed by the smaller VF 6 and VF 7 sometime next year. VinFast is trying to raise the bar and multiplying efforts to ensure people see the brand as a credible contender that means business.

• Also: VinFast VF 9 Prices Slashed Nearly 30 Percent in Canada
• Also: VinFast Debuts Electric Pickup Concept, Tiny SUV at CES 2024

Catering to Large Families

Aimed at large families, the VinFast VF 9 is essentially an electric alternative to popular and well-established, ICE-powered SUVs like the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Volkswagen Atlas. It’s stylish, versatile and immensely spacious. It’s also about $35,000 cheaper than the Tesla Model X, the original three-row electric crossover.

The VF 9 unapologetically lacks the prestige of a Model X (if you can call it that), but the truth is that fit and finish compares favourably to the falcon-winged SUV out of California, which has little evolved since launching in 2016. At first glance, the VF 9 stands as a very compelling answer to Tesla.

Now, a more serious threat for the Pininfarina-styled VF 9 is the highly successful Kia EV9, which boasts equally good looks and a much more refined cabin. Yep, we’re talking about a Kia, here, one whose level of refinement even trumps supposedly luxurious models.

Not helping the VF 9 is the fact that the EV9 is eligible to federal and provincial incentives due to a base MSRP of $59,995 (an AWD-equipped model starts at $64,995). The big VinFast initially carried a preposterous price tag of $103,750, but the company has since cut it down a whopping 28 percent to a more reasonable $74,890. It still doesn’t qualify for any rebates, but at least it’s in a much better position to compete and succeed.

A Good First Impression

The VF 9 looks sharp from just about every angle. The sloping front end with a V-shaped centrepiece and air tunnel is admirably executed, as are the intersecting rear side windows. Overall, the exterior makes for a good first impression, more so than the dark, minimalist cabin, which is built around a Tesla-like centre touchscreen in a size of 15.6 inches.

Material selection is commendable, with available vegan leather and aluminum inserts. An optional, tobacco-coloured interior can also be specified in case you prefer a more colourful environment. Clearly, the VF 9 looks and feels richer than the more generically designed VF 8.

Spending an extra $4,000 will give you access to a VF 9 Plus. And why wouldn’t you? This model stands out with tri-zone climate control, rear-seat touchscreen, panoramic roof and larger 21-inch wheels (20-inch wheels are standard).

Also available are second-row captain’s chairs with a fixed console in the middle, which means a fifth passenger has no choice but to sit in the third row. The problem is that those captain’s chairs are heavy and difficult to manipulate, complicating access to said third row. Oh, and the seat bottoms back there are so low that only small children will find them comfortable.

Time for a Short Driving Session

We drove the VinFast VF 9 for a few dozen kilometres only, but during that time, the vehicle managed to impress with solid construction and no undesirable body noises. The air suspension in the rear mitigates the bouncy ride that the VF 8 suffers from, improving comfort in the process. Speaking of comfort, our only complaint when it comes to the first row is that the seats provide only decent support.

Steering lacks precision and feedback, but it’s not like we’re asking the big VF 9 to drive like a sports car. Weight does prove to be a problem, though, exceeding the EV9 by approximately 150 kg. You can blame the 123kWh battery for that. Then again, maximum range is either 468 km or 521 km depending on wheel size, which is great, and DC fast charging is possible at up to 150 kW, bringing the battery from 10-80 percent in about 45 minutes.

For sure, acceleration is not as explosive as that of a Model X, but the VF 9 generates more than ample power. Throttle response is a bit slow, which is extremely rare for an electric vehicle. VinFast told us that the situation will soon be addressed by way of an OTA update. To be clear, it’s no big deal, just something that EV drivers need to get used to.

The most annoying thing with the VF 9 (and VF 8) is arguably the overly intrusive driver assistance features that keep making adjustments and making you feel like you’re not really in control of the vehicle—or just not a good driver. Luckily, this will be fixed as part of a future update, too. In the meantime, you can turn off most of the systems in order to enjoy a smoother and more pleasant driving experience.

VinFast’s Added Value

We cannot end this first-drive review of the VF 9 without a word about VinFast’s outstanding warranty, which covers the vehicle for 10 years or 200,000 km. On top of that, customers have access to all the major charging networks in North America via the VinFast app, adding both value and peace of mind to the equation.

Ultimately, the VF 9 is a promising product, albeit one from an unproven automaker. Don’t be surprised to see more than you might expect on Canadian roads.