VinFast VF 8 Eco

Overview

The 2024 VinFast VF 8 Eco was a Vietnamese electric SUV that made a brief but notable appearance in the US market. Aiming to offer a feature-packed EV experience, the Eco trim served as an accessible entry into the VF 8 lineup, complete with standard all-wheel drive. Though now discontinued, its presence on the used market, with prices around $20,697 as per available data, positions it as an intriguing, budget-friendly AWD EV option. Key highlights included its spacious interior and ambitious tech suite, though its US journey faced some initial headwinds.

What's New for 2024?

For its short 2024 model year stint before discontinuation, the VF 8 Eco benefited from ongoing refinements VinFast was rolling out. This primarily involved crucial over-the-air software updates to enhance the infotainment system's performance and squash earlier bugs, including the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Crucially, later production models, including those designated as 2024, received revised suspension tuning aimed at improving ride comfort and handling, addressing early feedback from the US market. These weren't radical overhauls but important evolutionary tweaks.

Design & Exterior

Rocking a sleek and modern SUV design penned by the famed Italian design house Pininfarina, the VinFast VF 8 Eco certainly has road presence. Its distinctive front end features a signature V-shaped LED daytime running light bar that extends across the grille, mirrored by a similar stylish flourish at the rear. The Eco trim generally keeps things neat with practical wheel designs. Dimensionally, this mid-sizer measures 187 inches in length, 76.1 inches in width (mirrors excluded), and stands 65.6 inches tall, fitting right into the competitive electric SUV landscape.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the VF 8 Eco, and you're greeted by a minimalist cabin dominated by a massive 15.6-inch central touchscreen, which handles nearly all vehicle controls. As a five-seater, it offers decent room for passengers. When it comes to hauling gear, you get 13.3 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to a useful 48 cubic feet with the rear seats down. Plus, there's a handy 2.7 cubic-foot frunk up front! Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became available, enhancing its tech appeal, though initial software was a bit finicky.

Performance & Driving Experience

The VF 8 Eco isn't messing about, thanks to its standard dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, featuring Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors at both axles. This powertrain delivers a healthy 260 kW (approximately 348 hp) and a stout 369 lb-ft of torque, whisking the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in a sprightly 6.2 seconds, with a top speed of 124 mph. While early models had some ride comfort quirks, VinFast worked on suspension tweaks. Expect selectable regenerative braking modes to help you eke out extra miles.

Range, Battery & Charging

Juice for the VF 8 Eco comes from an 82 kWh usable battery pack. Green Cars Compare calculates its real-world range at 209 miles, with an efficiency of 2.55 mi/kWh. For topping up at home or the office, the standard 11 kW on-board AC charger can replenish the battery in roughly 7.5 hours. When you're out and about, it supports DC fast charging via its CCS Type 1 port at speeds up to 150 kW, meaning a 10-80% charge could be done in around 30-35 minutes under ideal conditions.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a strong suit for the VF 8 Eco, which impressively scored a full 5 stars in NHTSA crash tests and a solid 4 stars from Euro NCAP. VinFast didn't skimp on the tech, equipping the Eco trim with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance systems. This typically includes goodies like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system, making it a well-guarded ride for families.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

VinFast rolled out the red carpet with an exceptionally generous warranty for the VF 8 Eco in the US: a fantastic 10-year/125,000-mile basic vehicle warranty. The battery pack was even better covered, with a 10-year/unlimited-mileage warranty, often including a 70% capacity retention guarantee. This industry-leading coverage was a major confidence booster. While early owner experiences highlighted some reliability concerns which VinFast aimed to address, the warranty itself provided significant peace of mind for the vehicle's short tenure on the market.