Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The EV That Put VinFast On The MapThe VF 8 is the model that really put VinFast on the map, especially for North American buyers – but not always for the right reasons. Early reviews called out issues with ride comfort, software quirks, and a general lack of polish. Owners soon added their own complaints about charging, reliability, and day-to-day usability, with a few even taking legal action over persistent problems.To be fair, VinFast tried to fix what it could through software updates and tweaked hardware. But these days, first impressions are tough to shake off, especially when buyers have plenty of other options.AdvertisementAdvertisementNow VinFast is back with what it’s calling the new-generation VF 8, starting in Vietnam. It’s not a ground-up redesign, but rather a thorough rework aimed at making the SUV smoother, more efficient, and easier to live with every day.VinFastCleaner Styling, Smarter CabinVisually, the new VF 8 finally looks more cohesive than before. VinFast talks about a 'Tech Fluid' design, which really just means smoother shapes, cleaner lines, and a more up-to-date look. The front still has those wing-shaped LEDs, but the grille and bumper now blend in better and don’t look as cluttered.Size-wise, the VF 8 is 185.1 inches long, 73.7 wide, and 65.7 high, riding on a 111.8-inch wheelbase. That means you get decent cabin space without making city driving a hassle.Inside, the VF 8 has a cleaner dashboard with a big 12.9-inch touchscreen running most of the controls. There’s a separate display for the driver’s info. You also get dual-zone climate, air ionization, reclining rear seats, and an eight-speaker sound system.AdvertisementAdvertisementUnderneath, the updated VF 8 uses a revised chassis with frequency-selective dampers at both ends. These adjust on the fly depending on the road, which should help fix one of the biggest complaints about the old VF 8: the rough ride.VinFastMore Focus On Efficiency And StabilityPower comes from a front-mounted electric motor with 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. You get Eco, Normal, and Sport drive modes. The new VF 8 uses a 60.13-kWh battery, and VinFast claims up to 311 miles of range on the NEDC cycle (probably lower on EPA standards).Fast charging lets you go from 10% to 70% in under 30 minutes. VinFast also added a new thermal management system that controls the battery, motor, electronics, and cabin temperatures all at once. They say this helps with efficiency, charging speed, and long-term reliability.Safety features include adaptive cruise, highway assist, blind spot warning, lane keeping, and a 360-degree camera. VinFast says it’s aiming for a five-star ASEAN NCAP rating with this SUV. It’s unclear whether its newly minted self-driving feature will be available on this model.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor now, the updated VF 8 launches in Vietnam, with pre-orders starting May 27 and deliveries set for late July. There’s no official word yet on a US or global release, but given how important the VF 8 is for VinFast, it would make sense to see it roll out worldwide sooner or later. Of note, the new VF 8 is priced at around $39,000 at current exchange rates.VinFastView the 7 images of this gallery on the original articleThis story was originally published by Autoblog on May 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
