This week on EV Rider we’re checking out an automotive brand that recently launched in the U.S. that you may not have of heard yet. Come along as we take you for a spin in the Vinfast VF8.

Vinfast has been speeding along like a rocket. It was formed in 2017 in Vietnam and already has a full lineup in its native country.

Post your questions or comments about the Vinfast VF8 here.

That’s kind of amazing if you think about it. Tesla was formed way back in 2003 but by 2011 had built less than 2,500 examples of its Roadster with the Model S replacing it in 2012. Tesla didn’t have two consecutive models in production until 2015, when it began deliveries of its Model X SUV.

By comparison, in the second quarter of 2024 alone VinFast delivered more than 12,000 EVs and those numbers are growing fast.

Here in the U.S. VinFast first launched with the VF8, which is aimed at the heart of the SUV market.

The VF8’s biggest feature is the longest limited factory warranty in the industry at 10-years or 125,000 miles. Most EV makers have 8-year, 100,000-mile limited warranties on their batteries and powertrains.

Got VR? This episode is also available in 3D on YouTube VR.

The base model starts at $46,000 while the top Plus comes in just under $52,000. But is the VF8 anything you’d want in your garage? Let’s find out.

If you’re in the market for an SUV it checks quite a few of the boxes EV owners have come to expect.

It starts with a power sunroof with sunshade on the upper trim Plus model along with a solid interior that includes Android Auto and Apple Car Play in the center stack on all trims.

Moving to the infotainment system, it’s a video entertainment powerhouse, coming with Sony’s RIDEVU, which has a vast catalog of movies that can be streamed on the center screen while parked. It’s also got a suite of preinstalled games. A companion app lets passengers stream movies on portable screens like smartphones and tablets.

VinFast did cut a few corners. There no satellite radio, HD Radio or AM Radio. But thanks to wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay and its web browser, you’ll be able find streaming versions of most of those stations.

The EPA estimates the base-model VF8 has a range of 264 miles with VinFast saying the VF8’s battery has 87.7 kWh of usable capacity.

The all-wheel-drive base model has 349 horsepower while the Plus model ups horsepower to 402, while dropping the range to 243-miles per charge.

When it comes time to recharge the VF8 is rated at a peak charging speed of 160 kW in ideal conditions and 11 kW on AC home chargers, assuming they are on a 60-amp circuit.

At last check there was no word on whether VinFast was close to reaching an agreement with Tesla to gain Supercharger access as many EV brands have done. But even without Superchargers figured in, the U.S. charging infrastructure is rapidly improving.

VinFast estimates the VF8 Plus’ 0-60 mph time at 5.5 seconds. Adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and lane centering assist are also along for the ride on all trims.

In addition to the sunroof and extra horsepower, the Plus model includes a 10-speaker sound system with woofer, up from the base-car’s 8-seakers. The Plus trim also gets a power liftgate.

Outback the VF8 has 48.4 cubic inches of storage space with the rear seat folded. It has a second truck up front.

EV Rider tested two VF8’s. The first one had a host of firmware or software issues and a front trunk that didn’t latch correctly.

Over the air updates corrected the issues EV Rider encountered with the adaptive cruise control, lane centering and turn signals which behaved erratically on the early build car that had not yet received the updates.

The second VF8, which was up to date, worked as expected and has no frunk latching issue.

While it’s never good to see a new car with bugs or defects, it is encouraging that VinFast was able to correct the issues so quickly.

For a more in-depth look at the VinFast VF8, which includes driving impressions, be sure to watch the road test at the top of this post.

A big thanks goes to Tom Bush VinFast here in Jacksonville, FL for providing EV Rider with the VF8 featured in this review.

VinFast VF8 Specifications

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It’s always fun to see what EVs attract the most viewers so we’ll end the year with a roundup of the Top 10 videos produced this year on EV Rider, based on viewership. 

Number 10: Kia EV6

Coming in at number ten, Kia enthusiasts were obviously excited that the EV6 was getting a mid-cycle refresh for the 2025 model year.  

Among the improvements: A jump in range to more than 330 miles per charge for the rear-wheel drive version and a new front end that includes daytime running lights and an LED light bar. 

Number 9: Model 3

Tesla’s Model 3 also got a mild-overhaul, which generated lots of interest as the ninth most watched video. Commonly referred to as the Highland edition, the latest Model 3 includes an upgraded interior, quieter cabin, and revised exterior styling. 

Number 8: Karma Kaveya & Gyesera

Karma is finally showing off new EVs after being reincarnated from the ashes of the first Fisker car company to go out of business. EV Rider was possibly the first media outlet to post video of the unveiling of the Kaveya and Gyesera EVs at the 2024 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, along with design summaries from former GM design chief Ed Welburn and Karma President Marques McCammon. Neither car has made it onto the production line yet. 

Number 7: Eli Zero Micro EV

Coming in at number 7, EV Rider viewers were obviously excited about the possibility of a $12,000 micro EV called the Eli Zero. When we interviewed  U.S. head of operations James Seargent  II, he predicted this tiny EV that’s meant for neighborhoods, urban cores and campuses would be on sale in the U.S. by the end of 2024. 

Although the Eli is on sale overseas, so far there’s no indication that the Zero will make it to American shores as soon as originally forecast. 

Number 6: Vinfast VF8

 A new entry that has made it to the U.S. is coming on strong if EV Rider video views are any indication of interest. The Vinfast VF8 road test that debuted several weeks ago is quickly climbing the viewership ladder. 

And why not? The car company from Vietnam could well end up being the next Kia when it comes to success stories. Formed in 2017, Vinfast already has a full model line-up, including the VF8 SUV EV. 

It appears Vinfast also appeals to high-tech viewers. The 3D spatial version of the VF8 road test was the number one EV Rider video for immersive virtual reality headsets like Meta Quests and Apple Vision Pros. 

Number 5: MINI Countryman All4 EV

MINI fans have something to cheer about with the arrival of the all-new Countryman ALL4 EV. It’s a huge step forward over the last-gen Cooper SE EV and given Americans tend to like bigger vehicles, it’s likely to sell better than MINI’s last EV to be imported to the U.S. 

Number 4: Fisker Ocean

Coming in at number four is an EV manufacturer that flamed out in 2024 after appearing to have a bright future in 2023. 

The second incarnation of Fisker declared bankruptcy in 2024, but not before delivering thousands of Oceans that thrilled many owners before the bad news hit. It’s a shame. Fisker’s Ocean was a nicely styled entry. 

Number 3: 2025 Zero Motorcycles Lineup

EV Rider’s motorcycling audience paid a lot of attention to Zero Motorcycle’s expanded 2025 lineup. The California-based company debuted two new models in the low end of the market: the XB and XE. Both are lightweight, off-road dirt bikes, although they are street legal in some parts of the world.  

Zero also showed off it’s Neutrino concept, which could shake up the market currently dominated by Honda’s Grom. 

Number 2: 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The number two video produced in 2024 shows just how popular Jeep is despite stumbles by its parent company Stellantis this year. Our long-term road test of a 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe plug-in hybrid was the most watched video produced during 2024. 

Number 1: Canoo

And the number one video with more than 40,000 video views at last check was EV startup Canoo’s first quarter earnings call. Canoo actually had two videos produced in 2024 hit the top 10, likely driven by investor interest.

Canoo has been burning through cash and still hasn’t managed to reach any sort of meaningful production numbers despite having a multi-billion dollar order book that includes high-profile customers like Walmart. 

At the time of this post Canoo had idled it’s Oklahoma factory and had furloughed more than 80 employees to conserve cash, saying it is “in talks with various capital sources.”  

In an effort to to get back into NASDAQ compliance and prop its stock price back up, it announced a 1-for-20 reverse stock split effective December 24. 

2025 will likely be the sink or swim year for Canoo. 

Happy New Year to all of you. Here’s hoping 2025 will be the best year yet. 

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