Drivers in the market for a new SUV have a ton of different options on the menu in 2026, from standard internal combustion-engined vehicles to those with the latest electric powertrains. Many new manufacturers are attempting to take the fight to the established brands in the developing EV space, especially in Europe, where various Chinese operations are using their more advanced electric technology to provide impressive value. While these offerings aren't available in the US, some emerging manufacturers are making the trek to the US market, with a good example being Vinfast.The Vietnamese manufacturer has unleashed a pair of SUVs stateside so far, with the first of these being the VF 8 crossover. Its journey in the hands of American buyers and reviewers has been far from smooth thus far, with a range of quality problems and oversights compromising its position as a $50,000 SUV. While it's hard to recommend buying one as a new product, its plunging value makes it a more viable option on the used market. The VF 8 Entered A Crowded Market VinFast SUVs are all the jam right now, and Vinfast correctly identified that this was the market it needed to make an impact in if it wanted to make a mark on the American automotive industry. The VF 8 was aimed at the mid-size crossover sector, which meant it was developed to take on the likes of the Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, and Volkswagen ID.4. These are all well-established models, so Vinfast had its work cut out trying to match them. While the base VF 8 Eco was offered at a base price of $46,000, the more powerful Plus version started from $51,800.This put it at the same kind of entry point as a mid-range Nissan Ariya ENGAGE+ or VW ID.4 Pro, meaning there were high expectations. For a range of key reasons that we'll quickly get to, the VF 8 failed to reach the heights expected of it, making it difficult to recommend versus its close rivals. While EVs tend to depreciate pretty quickly in any case, the VF 8 is ridiculously cheap on the used market, given how much it was just a few years ago. Low Mileage Examples Can Be Picked Up For Less Than $20k VinFast According to CarBuzz's Marketplace, the average used value for the entry-level Eco version sits at just $21,158, well under half what it retailed for just three years ago. The more powerful Plus is valued at around the same point, which translates to a scarcely-believable $30,000 drop in just 36 months. Given the average value is this low, look around, and you'll be able to find a range of low-mileage and tidy Eco specimens from 2023 priced around the $16k mark. For a car that retailed for not far shy of $50k just a few years back, the current value of the VF 8 is pretty bonkers. There Are Good Reasons For The VF 8s Unpopularity VinFast It's fair to say the VF 8 has failed in several crucial areas, especially given its considerable $46,000 starting price. When we tested it back in 2024, we found that the car suffered from profound issues with its fit and finish. While the quality of the materials used was solid, the way they were put together was frankly unacceptable for a car of this price. Most of the panels featured gaps you could have flown a 747 through, and some trim pieces were loose. You wouldn't find this kind of quality on rivals like the EV6 or ID.4, so it wasn't a great start. There was also a well-documented problem with the machine's creep mode, where it would engage full power on slippery surfaces, which could open up a range of hazardous outcomes.A lawsuit was also recently filed by owners of the model due to it not charging fully over a span of 24 hours, once again illustrating a lack of quality with one of the US's newest manufacturers' offerings. Beyond this, the VF 8 had worrying issues as far as its driver aids were concerned. The Lane Keep assist had the tendency to throw the steering way off, with the vehicle in some cases even shifting across to the wrong lane once it kicked in. Even if this ultra-dangerous situation didn't play out, the steering wheel still pulled the car away from the white lane much more aggressively than it should have. Twin this with the VF 8's stiff suspension and overly pointy steering, and it wasn't the most relaxing or reassuring family SUV out there. The VF 8 Wasn't The Most Efficient Machine On The Market Ian Wright/Valnet/CarBuzz In addition to this, the VF 8's range called its value further into question. While the Ariya ENGAGE+ and ID.4 Pro can manage 255 and 278 miles respectively on a single charge, the VF8 ECO can only muster a range of 207 miles. Opt for the quicker Plus variant, and you'll be lucky to cover 191 miles before you need to pull over and find a charger. Overall, there were few reasons why opting for the VF 8 made sense over its more efficient, better-built, and more refined rivals. Vinfast's First Crossover SUV Has Potential Ian Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet If you can live with the annoying panel gaps and relative lack of refinement, the VF 8 does stand out as decent value as a used proposition. After all, Vinfast managed to cure the over-sensitive Lane Keep assist feature via a software update in late 2025, while later VF 8's boasted improved quality control. Plus, the machine offers impressive value given the level of standard equipment it offers. For less than $20k, you can have a low-mileage Plus trim that offers electric heated and ventilated seats coated in decent-quality vegan leather, a power liftgate, power mirrors, as well as a panoramic sunroof. The cabin is also pretty spacious, with the vehicle boasting more front shoulder room than either the Ariya or ID.4, and more headroom than the former. Base Features The VF 8 Plus Comes With For Less Than $20k Adaptive cruise control Dual-zone climate control Heated and ventilated leather seats Heated leather steering wheel Panoramic sunroof Power liftgate Power mirrors That said, it does lack in terms of cargo capacity, with both the Nissan and VW models featuring considerably larger trunk spaces. On the upside, it looks good versus the competition, thanks to its Pininfarina-styled body. For less than $20k, and if you can overlook the VF 8's remaining shortcomings, it provides tantalizing value. The VF 8 Also Flies VinFast Especially when you factor in that we haven't even covered the kind of pace this practical SUV is capable of yet. While the Eco version's dual-motor powertrain kicks out 348 horsepower, which fires it from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, the Plus' 402 hp unit means it can sprint past the benchmark in a rapid 5.5 seconds. Whichever way you look at it, getting north of 400 hp on your driveway for comfortably less than $20k is very tempting. Another bit of good news is that whichever VF 8 you purchase, you'll get all-wheel drive, which affords you extra traction across all conditions.While it's arguable whether the improvements that Vinfast have brought to the VF 8 mean it's worth buying new over its more established rivals, even if the machine's base MSRP has been lowered to just $39,900 following the considerable backlash thrown its way, it makes sense as a used punt. After all, given that the early models are only three years old, you can still take advantage of the base ten-year/125,000-mile warranty given out with every specimen should anything go wrong. It also gets a ten-year battery warranty, ensuring you should be well covered for at least the next half decade or so. The VF 8 lacks some polish, but it provides plenty to get excited about at well under $20k.Sources: Vinfast.