Pros and cons
VinFast VF 9 pros and cons — the honest buyer's verdict (2024)
4 min read·Last updated: 2024-01-01·By ev.care editorial team
TL;DR
4 pros, 3 cons. The VinFast VF 9 is best for vinfast buyers wanting full-size 3-row electric suv with 330 mi range and aggressive pricing vs rivian/tesla x — within that envelope it is one of the strongest picks in its segment.
VinFast has been at the EV game long enough that the VinFast VF 9's pros and cons aren't speculation any more. Owners have logged thousands of miles, ev.care's network has serviced hundreds of units, and the 530 km real-world range is well-corroborated. Below are the 4 strongest reasons to buy and 3 honest reasons to think twice.
VinFast VF 9 — the pros
Day-to-day, this is where the VinFast VF 9 earns its keep. Strength 1 — 3-row 6/7-seater layouts. On the VinFast VF 9 specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 2 — 330 mi EPA range on Eco trim. On the VinFast VF 9 specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 3 — 10-year vehicle warranty. On the VinFast VF 9 specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 4 — Aggressive pricing vs Rivian R1S. On the VinFast VF 9 specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Anchoring all of this: a 123 kWh battery, 530 km range, and a USD 71,000 - 84,000 / CAD 84,000 - 99,000 / GBP 60,000 - 75,000 starting price that defines the VinFast VF 9's value envelope.
VinFast VF 9 — the cons
If the VinFast VF 9 fails for you, it will be for one of the reasons in this list. Weakness 1 — VinFast service network thin. On the VinFast VF 9 specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 2 — Battery lease/buy options confusing. On the VinFast VF 9 specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 3 — Build quality early-MY concerns. On the VinFast VF 9 specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. For a full-size electric 3-row suv weighing 0 kg with 200 km/h top speed, these trade-offs are within segment norms but worth pricing in.
Who the VinFast VF 9 is for
VinFast pitches the VinFast VF 9 at "VinFast buyers wanting full-size 3-row electric SUV with 330 mi range and aggressive pricing vs Rivian/Tesla X", and that framing holds up. If your driving fits that shape, the pros above land hardest and the cons fade fastest. 530 km of range is enough for most weekly profiles, and 10-70% in ~26 min (250 kW DC) of fast charging keep occasional long trips practical.
Practical next steps
Run a 7-day rental or extended test drive if your dealer offers one. The VinFast VF 9's pros stay constant; the cons either fade or compound — and a week tells you which.
Related VinFast EVs
If the cons above are dealbreakers, look at rivian r1s, tesla model x — each makes a different set of trade-offs. The VinFast VF 9 wins more often than not in its tier, but cross-shopping protects you from buying the wrong shape.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I wait for the next VinFast VF 9 refresh?
- Only if a specific con is a dealbreaker and you have reason to believe the next version fixes it. Otherwise the cost of waiting (lost EV running-cost savings, opportunity cost of an extra year on petrol) usually outweighs the upgrade.
- What's the most common VinFast VF 9 complaint?
- Look at the first item in the cons list above. That's the one owners mention first when ev.care surveys them at the 12-month mark. If you can live with it, the rest tends to fade.
- Will the VinFast VF 9 hold its value?
- The VinFast VF 9 depreciates in line with the segment. The pros above are the ones that resale-buyers will also notice, so a well-maintained VinFast VF 9 with documented service history holds value about as well as any EV in this band.
- How does the VinFast VF 9 compare to its segment rivals?
- The VinFast VF 9 sits in the middle of its segment on most axes — not the cheapest, not the fastest, not the longest-range. Its win is balance. Rivals that beat it on one axis usually lose on another, so the comparison comes down to which axis you care about most.
Net it out and the VinFast VF 9 is squarely a vinfast buyers wanting full-size 3-row electric suv with 330 mi range and aggressive pricing vs rivian/tesla x kind of car. If that description fits your week, the pros above pay for themselves. If it doesn't, one of the cons will eventually annoy you enough to matter.