What VinFast Needs To Fix On The VF 9 To Make It A Hit

I just spent the last week living with the 2025 VinFast VF 9 EV SUV, and I came up with a list of things it needs to improve. I’ll obviously make sure to mention all of them in my upcoming, detailed review, but I felt it was important to highlight just how much potential there is here. Potential that’s ruined by an automaker that simply lacks experience selling cars to North Americans.

Base Trim Engine

Electric

Base Trim Transmission

Single Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

402 hp

Base Trim Torque

457 lb-ft

Look, I came in wanting to like the VF 9. I visited VinFast and VinGroup’s headquarters in Vietnam a few years back, and I was actually very impressed by how serious, technologically advanced, and financially viable the company is. The automaker also has some bold ambitions, with a promise of launching more models in the coming years. Also, I can’t exactly pinpoint why, but I kind of want to see Vietnam kick ass.

The VF 9 Faces Solid Competition

I’ve been in this profession long enough to know instantly if a car is well-armed to take on its respective segment. I started reviewing cars back in 2015, and I drive a new press vehicle every week, so I tend to have a natural feeling for things in this industry. With that being said, I really hope VinFast is listening, because this is important for the VF 9’s success.

The VF 9 sits within what is arguably the most important automotive segment in this part of the world. Three-row SUVs have become the vehicle of choice for families requiring more room for that extra kid, a dog, or all the cargo that comes with family life. It’s today’s minivan.

The Family-Oriented Segment’s Requirements

This means these vehicles tend to be very important purchasing decisions for a family. I’d know, because I also do some consulting work off hours from this day job to help folks find the ideal model for their needs. These families are incredibly picky about specific things, like seat comfort, towing capabilities, audio systems, the size of the door openings, or the easy access of anchor hooks, just to name a few.

It’s also a segment where everyone brings their best game face. And since the electric vehicle (EV) market is still relatively new to this type of vehicle, the players that are here have come in strong, with a solid value proposition: range, charging performance, cabin space, creature comforts, cargo capacity, and towing ratings. Models like the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 twins are game-changers, while the Cadillac Vistiq and the Lucid Gravity push things up to the premium space. So what to make of the VinFast VF 9?

Fine Details That Make The Difference

Ok, so, for starters, I must say that the VF 9 does certain things very well, beginning with its looks. I find that this is the better-looking of the midsize SUVs currently on sale. I also like how it’s actually pretty low to the ground, giving it more of a resemblance to a large station wagon versus a utility vehicle. The front fascia is bold and distinctive, and while I don’t want to know what it’s like to remove snow from that massive front air intake, it does look pretty rad.

Ride and handling are soft, subtle, and compliant, the way a large SUV should be. No, seriously, whoever is in charge of suspension tuning at VinFast knows what they’re doing. The car is spacious and offers a lot of cargo space. It has soft-closed doors, which I’m still wondering why on a vehicle of this price bracket. But it adds to its daily livability. That’s nice. The rear doors open nice and wide. Although not ideal in a mall parking lot, they’re handy at home when you need to get your kid and all of your gear out of the car. The infotainment system is pretty good, too. Easy to grasp, quick to react, and never feels too cluttered. There’s also a decent range, up to 291 miles as per the EPA.

Finally, a solid warranty. VinFast backs the VF 9 with a 10-year, 120,000-mile coverage, and 10-year, unlimited miles on the battery. As you can see, there’s a lot to like here.

What The 2025 VinFast VF 9 Needs To Improve

• Price: VinFast asks $62,900 ($77,308 CAD) for this thing, starting MSRP. That’s high considering a Kia EV9 – the benchmark in this segment – starts at $54,900. VinFast is new, and North American car buyers don’t know or trust a car company coming from Vietnam. There’s just no history there, so no matter how good the VF 9 is, it cannot be more expensive than an EV9.
• Blinker stalks: VinFast borrows a set of blinker and wiper stalks from the same supplier as BMW. You know, the ones that already sucked? And, somehow, VinFast makes them worse. Their operation is inconsistent, and at times, I had to smash the stalk twice for something to happen. Annoying.
• NVH: Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) are very important in this segment, as families appreciate a vehicle that feels solid, safe, and quiet at high speeds. The VF 9 is too loud, especially its tire roll. There’s also a constant humming noise that seems to be coming from the electric motors? Not fun.
• Audio: The audio system in the VF 9 is absolutely awful.
• Self-driving: VinFast’s autonomous driving technology really needs work. And the steering wheel is constantly jittering; it’s scary.
• Software glitches: My test unit kept telling me it was impossible to close windows through its infotainment system. The proximity key works, until it doesn’t. And no matter how many times I asked the car to activate the walk-away-and-lock feature, the VF 9 never did it even once. Don’t activate the horn door lock notification! It’s the actual horn, and not the usual muted type. It’s awkwardly loud and honks twice. Why?

Enhanced Charging Capabilities Could Help Boost Viability

And finally, maybe, a Tesla NACS charge port? It’s not a deal-breaker that the VF 9 doesn’t have one, but the competition is creeping up with it, as well as 800-volt fast-charging architectures, in some cases. The VF 9’s 400-volt DC fast-charging is rated at a somewhat low 160 kW. Hyundais and Kias can now do north of 200 kW.

So, there you have it, VinFast. Fix the above, and I do think the VF 9 could do well, especially if it’s cheap. Families would love hopping on an affordable three-row EV that offers a solid warranty and good range at an aggressive price point. The VF 9 could be the new Dodge Caravan.