Who should buy Vinfast VF 3?
In recent weeks, VinFast VF 3 has created a buzz on social media by allowing customers to place deposits, displaying a test version, and revealing detailed specifications along with an incredibly attractive starting price of just 235 million VND. Although it may not be suitable for everyone, the VF 3 will make the dream of owning a car more accessible for Vietnamese people.
If you are interested in the VinFast VF 3, here are detailed analyses based on the car's information that consumers should know: First, the car's dimensions (LxWxH) are 3,190 x 1,679 x 1,622 mm, with a wheelbase of 2,075 mm and a ground clearance of 191 mm.
Thus, the VinFast VF 3 is smaller than all current A-segment hatchback models like Hyundai i10, Kia Morning, or Toyota Wigo. The car has only two doors despite having a four-seat configuration. Practical experience shows that the rear has enough space for two adults with a height of up to 1.75 meters to sit comfortably.
However, when rear-seat passengers get in and out, the front-seat occupant will definitely have to get out and adjust the seat, which is quite inconvenient. Moreover, if there are passengers in the rear seats, the VF 3 will not have any cargo space. The rear seats are designed as a single piece, so it cannot accommodate three people and fold one seat down for more storage space.
Another related point is that the VF 3 uses fabric-covered integrated headrest seats. Many people may want a leather seat with an adjustable headrest. However, when the mass-produced version is released, VinFast can easily change these details. Alternatively, consumers can customize the car after purchasing it.
On the plus side, the VinFast VF 3 features a gear lever placed where the windshield wiper lever usually is (similar to the layout in Mercedes-Benz cars). The car also uses an electronic parking brake, which is much tidier than a mechanical handbrake. This gives passengers more space and allows them to move comfortably between the two front seats. If desired, customers can easily add a central armrest.
The VinFast VF 3 is only equipped with two entertainment speakers, although it comes with a 10-inch touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Users can easily upgrade to a higher-quality sound system without changing the screen at a reasonable cost.
Additionally, the car's air conditioning is a single-zone manual type. However, this detail is not too important because the small space and infrequent use by many passengers at once mean that multi-zone or automatic air conditioning is unnecessary, thus lowering the ownership cost.
In terms of power, the VF 3 has a rear-wheel-drive electric motor with 43 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque. These specifications seem inferior to A-segment hatchbacks, but the VF 3 is a pure electric vehicle, giving it an advantage in initial acceleration and acceleration up to 60 km/h, comparable to the i10 or Morning.
Notably, the VF 3 can travel 205 - 210 km and supports fast charging, allowing the battery to be charged from 10% to 70% in just 36 minutes. With slow charging, the equivalent time is 5 hours, or about one night. The extensive charging station network across the country is an advantage of the VF 3 compared to electric car competitors from China targeting the Vietnamese market.
For exterior features, the VinFast VF 3 has Bi-Halogen headlights. If the primary use is urban driving, this lighting system is sufficient. However, if improvements are needed, customers can replace the LED bulbs while retaining the Projector without much modification, affecting the structure or electrical system.
The wheels are also a detail many people are interested in on the VF 3. The car uses 175/75R16 tires commonly seen on "5 ta" trucks, along with steel rims similar to taxi cars. This setup helps the car save energy (thanks to the small tire surface), thereby improving the driving range after each charge and reducing noise. The drawback is that the car will have less grip and stability when driving at high speeds or on slippery roads. But if mainly used in urban areas, this is not a significant issue.
Especially, VinFast has cleverly allowed customers to easily personalize their VF 3, from paint colors to steel rim sizes and designs. The interior details are also very basic and easy to upgrade, providing customers with a good price.
Who is the VinFast VF 3 suitable for?
While it is completely safe and capable of highway or national road driving, the VinFast VF 3 is best suited for daily urban commuting. Therefore, it will be ideal for those with fixed daily travel routes.
The target customers of the VF 3 are likely to be families who already own at least one other car and want to use the VF 3 for commuting, shopping, and picking up children. For young singles or newly married couples living mainly in major cities, the VinFast VF 3 is also a very reasonable choice.
Its compact size allows flexible urban operation, and with a 200 km battery range, weekend getaways are not a problem. Moreover, the VF 3 can be personalized with diverse exterior customization, suitable for young customers who like to express their unique aesthetics or view the car as a toy.
Who should carefully consider before deciding to buy the VF 3?
It is evident that the VinFast VF 3 is not suitable for families currently owning motorcycles and looking to upgrade to a car. Having the entire family, including two adults and two children, depend on a small four-wheeled vehicle requires careful consideration. If regularly traveling far on weekends, the VF 3's small space and under 50 horsepower will not be the optimal choice for comfortable long-distance travel.
Additionally, the VF 3 is not suitable for those in the transport service industry. The biggest inconvenience is that the car only has two doors, requiring the front seats to be moved for access. Moreover, the car lacks cargo space unless the rear seats are folded down.
People with flexible travel schedules (frequently traveling far, interprovincial trips…) should also avoid the VinFast VF 3, as small tires and a short wheelbase will make it difficult to drive on highways. Furthermore, the battery capacity and low-power motor are only suitable for speeds under 100 km/h to optimize energy consumption. On highways, the car will deplete its battery much faster. Conversely, for self-driving car businesses in cities or tourist spots (large islands), the VF 3 would be a good choice.
Despite this, the VinFast VF 3 remains the most affordable car for consumers today. This will rapidly increase the number of users, contributing to realizing the dream of popularizing cars for every Vietnamese person.
Original article and pictures by AutoPro
