The VinFast VF 5 Plus: Decoding Vietnam’s Bold Play for the Everyperson EV Market

In the global electric vehicle revolution, headlines are often dominated by high-performance sedans and luxury SUVs from established giants and Silicon Valley disruptors. Yet, perhaps the most crucial battle is being fought in a different arena: the creation of an affordable, practical, and desirable EV for the masses. It is in this segment that Vietnamese automaker VinFast has placed one of its most strategic bets—the VinFast VF 5 Plus, a vehicle designed not to break speed records, but to break down barriers to EV adoption for millions.

The VF 5 Plus is more than just another compact electric car; it is a cornerstone of VinFast’s ambitious strategy, a testament to its rapid industrialization, and a vibrant symbol of Vietnam’s growing presence on the global automotive stage. This article delves into the history, specifications, market positioning, and future outlook of this pivotal A-segment electric crossover.

Genesis: A Strategy of Speed and Scale

To understand the VF 5, one must first understand VinFast. A subsidiary of Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, Vingroup, VinFast burst onto the scene in 2017 with unprecedented speed. Initially launching internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles based on licensed BMW platforms, the company made a dramatic and full-throated pivot to become a pure-electric vehicle manufacturer by late 2022.

This pivot was not tentative. VinFast announced a full lineup of electric SUVs, categorized by size from A to E segments: VF 5, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9. The VF 5 was positioned as the entry point—the accessible, urban-friendly model designed to capture the volume market, particularly in its home country and the broader Southeast Asian region.

The design of the VF 5, like its larger siblings, was a global collaboration. VinFast enlisted the expertise of two world-renowned Italian design houses, Pininfarina and Torino Design, to style the vehicle. The result is a modern and clean aesthetic that avoids appearing cheap or derivative. It features VinFast’s signature V-shaped LED light motif, a confident stance for its size, and a palette of vibrant, youthful colors that underscore its target demographic. The concept was first showcased as part of VinFast’s full EV lineup reveal at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2022, signaling its intent to compete across the entire market spectrum.

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Production, Models, and Trim Levels: A Study in Simplicity

The VinFast VF 5 entered the market with a clear and focused approach, eschewing a complex web of trims and options in favor of a single, well-equipped model.

Years Produced: 2023 – Present

• Reservations Opened: December 10, 2022 (in Vietnam)
• First Customer Deliveries: April 21, 2023

Model and Trim Level:

The sole production model offered to the public is the VinFast VF 5 Plus.

There is no “base” VF 5 model. The “Plus” designation signifies that the vehicle comes with a comprehensive suite of features as standard, a strategy aimed at simplifying the purchasing process and offering strong value from the outset. This approach contrasts with many legacy automakers who often advertise a low base price for a spartan model, with desirable features locked behind expensive higher trims or option packages. With the VF 5 Plus, what you see is largely what you get.

This single-trim strategy allows VinFast to streamline its manufacturing process, reduce complexity in its supply chain, and maintain cost efficiencies—all critical factors for producing an affordable EV at scale.

A Closer Look: The VinFast VF 5 Plus in Detail

As an A-segment crossover, the VF 5 Plus is designed for maneuverability in dense urban environments while offering more practicality and road presence than a traditional hatchback.

Exterior Design and Dimensions:

• Length: 3,965 mm (156.1 in)
• Width: 1,720 mm (67.7 in)
• Height: 1,580 mm (62.2 in)
• Wheelbase: 2,513 mm (98.9 in)

The design is characterized by smooth surfaces, a “floating roof” effect created by blacked-out pillars, and robust plastic cladding around the wheel arches and sills to give it a crossover-like appearance. A key marketing highlight is its extensive color palette, offering 16 exterior color options, including many bold, two-tone combinations that allow for a high degree of personalization.

Powertrain and Performance: The VF 5 Plus is engineered for city and suburban life, prioritizing efficiency and adequate response over blistering acceleration.

• Motor: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
• Power Output: 100 kW (134 horsepower)
• Torque: 135 Nm (100 lb-ft)
• Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)

This level of performance provides brisk acceleration from a standstill, perfect for navigating city traffic, and is more than sufficient for highway cruising speeds.

Battery, Range, and Charging: At the heart of the VF 5 Plus is a modern, durable battery chemistry designed for longevity and safety.

• Battery Type: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
• Usable Capacity: 37.23 kWh

The choice of an LFP battery is significant. While slightly less energy-dense than Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) chemistries found in some high-performance EVs, LFP batteries offer superior thermal stability (making them safer), a much longer cycle life (they can be charged to 100% regularly with less degradation), and do not use cobalt, reducing both cost and ethical sourcing concerns.

• Range: Approximately 326 kilometers (202 miles) per the NEDC standard. It is important to note that the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) is an older, more optimistic testing cycle. Real-world range would likely be closer to 240-260 km (150-160 miles) depending on driving conditions, which is still ample for the daily needs of its target user.
• Charging:
  • AC Charging (Level 2): Supports a standard 6.6 kW onboard charger, allowing a full charge from empty in approximately 6 hours.
  • DC Fast Charging: The VF 5 Plus is capable of fast charging, enabling a 10% to 70% charge in around 30 minutes, making occasional longer trips feasible.

Interior and Technology: Inside, the VF 5 Plus embraces a minimalist, tech-forward philosophy. The dashboard is dominated by a single, centrally-mounted 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Critically, there is no traditional instrument cluster behind the steering wheel; speed and other vital information are displayed on the main screen, a design choice popularized by Tesla.

This screen is the hub for nearly all vehicle controls, from climate and media to vehicle settings. The user interface is powered by VinFast’s “Smart Services” package, which includes:

• “Vivi” Virtual Assistant: A Vietnamese-language voice assistant for hands-free control.
• Smart Functions: Remote vehicle control via a smartphone app (locking/unlocking, pre-conditioning), trip planning, and vehicle diagnostics.
• Entertainment: FOTA (Firmware-Over-The-Air) updates, web browsing, and access to a variety of apps.

For its class, the vehicle is also impressively equipped with advanced safety and driver-assistance features (ADAS), including Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and a rear-view camera.

The Ownership Model: A Unique Proposition

Initially, VinFast launched the VF 5 Plus with a mandatory battery leasing program, a model it applied across its entire EV lineup. The logic was to lower the initial purchase price of the car by separating it from the cost of the battery, the most expensive single component. Customers would buy the car and then pay a monthly subscription fee for the battery, which came with a lifetime warranty and free replacement if its health dropped below 70%.

However, responding to market feedback, VinFast later introduced the option for customers to purchase the vehicle and the battery outright. This dual approach provides flexibility: customers prioritizing a lower upfront cost can opt for the subscription, while those who prefer complete ownership and no recurring payments can buy the battery.

Furthermore, VinFast offers one of the most generous warranty packages in the automotive industry: a 7-year or 140,000-kilometer (87,000-mile) warranty for the vehicle, and an 8-year, unlimited-kilometer warranty for the battery (for purchased batteries), designed to build consumer trust in a new brand and new technology.

Market Reception and Future Outlook

In its home market of Vietnam, the VF 5 Plus has been a resounding success. Shortly after its launch, it became one of the country’s best-selling electric vehicles, praised for its modern features, attractive pricing, and practical size. It effectively created and now dominates the entry-level electric crossover segment in Vietnam.

The future of the VF 5 Plus is intrinsically tied to VinFast’s broader global ambitions. While the larger VF 8 and VF 9 models are spearheading the company’s entry into North America and Europe, the VF 5 Plus is seen as the key to conquering Southeast Asia. Its price point, dimensions, and feature set are perfectly suited for the burgeoning middle class in markets like Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, where VinFast is actively expanding.

It is less certain whether the VF 5 Plus will ever be officially sold in the United States or Western Europe. These markets have different consumer preferences and more stringent safety and regulatory hurdles. A vehicle of its size and price point would face intense competition and may not align with VinFast’s initial brand-building efforts in the West, which are focused on larger, more premium models.

However, the VF 5 Plus remains a vital engine for the company. The sales volume it generates in its core markets provides crucial revenue, manufacturing experience, and brand loyalty. It is the workhorse of the VinFast lineup, proving that electric mobility can be accessible, stylish, and practical. In the grand narrative of the automotive industry’s electric transformation, the VinFast VF 5 Plus stands as a powerful statement: the future of driving isn’t just for the wealthy few, but for the global many.