After we first drove the VinFast VF8, we weren’t impressed. Our headline stated it was “merely not prepared for America,” and the criticism solely received worse from there. VinFast clearly rushed the event course of and didn’t have a remotely aggressive product to supply. Supposedly, the Vietnamese automaker deliberate to enhance the VF8 over time, so it must be higher now than it was initially. Primarily based on Shopper Studies’ current expertise, nonetheless, the VinFast VF8 remains to be half-baked, uncompetitive and likewise perhaps price leasing in the event you’re into that kind of factor.
To be clear, Shopper Studies didn’t hate every thing in regards to the VF8. The truth is, it favored the styling, spacious cabin and lengthy guarantee. The record of complaints, alternatively, is for much longer, although, together with the ability supply, brakes, regenerative braking programming, trip, steering and suspension tuning. And whereas it might seem like it may possibly run with the electrical crossovers supplied by the competitors, Shopper Studies isn’t assured the inside supplies will maintain up.
Testers additionally plan to keep watch over seat consolation, how the rear seats fold, extreme street noise, the precise performance of the cargo space, the controls, the infotainment system and the motive force help options. Software program can finally be up to date and will hypothetically get higher, however there isn’t a lot that may be accomplished earlier than a mid-cycle refresh if issues begin to wear down or break.
Shopper Studies tends to maintain its criticisms as skilled as doable, so it doesn’t normally come out and blatantly trash a automobile. Nonetheless, strains akin to, “The Vietnamese automaker rushed to the U.S. market with a luxury-inspired EV crossover—and it exhibits,” and, “It appears like a knockoff of a good automobile,” are lots devastating even when they don’t go so far as to name the VF8 a steaming pile of crap. Different selection quotes embrace:
The trip high quality is greatest described as unsophisticated. That is expressed via stiff impacts, abrupt rebounds, and pitching motions that expose a suspension that’s quick on physique management or absorption.
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If you sit in it, the inspiration seems to have come from images, somewhat than a bodily automobile.
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All drivers discovered the steering to be among the many worst available on the market, placing it behind even the Chevrolet Blazer EV.
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Some plastics are with out texture, as we frequently see on pre-production components.
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The display screen is like an unorganized iPhone, making it very troublesome to interpret whereas driving. That is significantly vital when the absence of bodily buttons means every thing is completed via the display screen or voice instructions, even adjusting the mirrors and steering wheel. Even worse, the steering wheel can solely be adjusted when the automobile is in Park.
That stated, regardless of the VinFast VF8’s $50,000-plus price ticket, you will get some extremely tempting lease offers. The bottom mannequin is presently going for $199 a month with $0 down, whereas the upper trim prices $249 a month. With costs like that, perhaps the VF8 actually is price taking a look at as an affordable every day driver. Simply don’t purchase one for something near MSRP.
