Although the VinFast VF 8 may not have a strong footing in the United States EV market, its Vietnamese manufacturer is doing much more business in its home country. The latest endeavor is the adorably irate VF 2, whose punchy looks give the subcompact city car some fun and funky visual personality. Although too small to be successful in the US, the VinFast VF 2 should do numbers in emerging markets, where lower-income motorists will appreciate its bargain-basement starting price and reasonable 210-kilometer range rating.
A Small Car With Big Flavor
VinFast VF 2 Electric City CarVinFast
The retail-oriented VF 2 is actually a rebadged version of the VinFast Minio Green, a very similarcity EV that’s intended to serve as a commercial vehicle for urban deliveries, car-sharing programs, and even taxi services. Pedestrians can hail a ride from a motorcyclist in Vietnam, and the small EV may help some businesses convert from two-wheelers to enclosed automobiles. But while the Minio Green is geared toward enterprise, its VF 2 sibling is meant to mobilize individuals and small families who might otherwise be forced to purchase a pre-owned car or a motorcycle.
Given those similar mission briefs (albeit different targeted customers) the VF 2 shares a lot with the Minio Green, starting with its pugnacious design. The VinFast city car is just 121.7 inches long, 59 inches wide, and 65.5 inches tall, making it much shorter and lower (although a bit wider) than a Japanese kei car. But despite those compact proportions, the VF 2 has a lot of design personality, especially its comically sinister LED headlights that try their best to be intimidating but just can’t overcome the tall, narrow, and charmingly frumpy profile.
A Safer Alternative To Motorcycling
With a starting price of VND 188 million ($7,158 converted from local currency), the VinFast VF 2 is priced about the same as a “premium motorcycle,” according to the company. For that sum, its buyer receives a decent amount of standard equipment, including manual air conditioning, power door windows, and a 7-inch driver display that presumably has controls for the two-speaker FM radio system. The automaker claims the VF 2 can accommodate two adults in front and two children in the narrow rear seat – with three-point safety belts for all – making it an easier fit for a family than a motorcycle might be.
VinFast VF 2 Electric City CarVinFast
An axle-mounted electric motor pushes 40 horsepower and 48 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels, good for an urban-friendly top speed of 49.7 miles per hour. VinFast claims the car’s 18.3-kilowatt-hour battery provides 210 kilometers (130 miles) of range on the very optimistic NEDC standard – 100 miles is probably a better guess. Owners will also get access to the company-owned V-Green charging network, receiving 10 sessions per month until February 2029, and with a DC fast charge rate of 24 kilowatts, the battery can be completely topped off in less than an hour.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
The arrival of a cheap, short-range city car in a foreign country may not be huge news for American shoppers. The odds of the VF 2 making it to our shores are practically zero, as its miniscule stance and lack of airbags would make it a sitting duck for an inattentive SUV driver. But nevertheless, we find it impressive that VinFast was able to make a genuinely affordable new car with enough range for its intended customer. A decade ago, Nissan asked Americans to fork over four times as much money for a second-generation Leaf with 107 miles of range, so we think there’s a lot to appreciate about the snarky, spunky VinFast VF 2.
Base Trim Engine
EV
Base Trim Transmission
Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
349 HP
Base Trim Torque
369 lb.-ft.
Infotainment & Features
5 /10
Source: VinFast
