VinFast VF 5 vs. the competition

VinFast, a new player in the local electric vehicle segment, presented its offerings to the Philippine market not too long ago. Looking to take a slice of the fast-growing electric crossover category, the Vietnamese carmaker has put forth the VF 5.

But how does it fare against other electric cars on the market, especially now that many similar Chinese brands have begun introducing their entries in the same segment? Let’s take a quick look at how the VinFast VF 5 stacks up today’s competition.

VinFast VF 5 quick specs

The VinFast VF 5 wears the brand’s iconic fascia at the fore. Found there is the VinFast logo flanked by two strips of chrome trims that form a “V-shaped” design. Further to its sides are its headlamps (clustered together with the turn signals), which have automatic on and off as well as follow-me-home functionalities.

Its side profile is highlighted by a set of 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/55 series tires. It also has smooth bodylines that align well with its standard body-colored door handles, body-toned (with black trim) side mirrors, blacked-out A- and B- pillars, as well as its floating roof design.

At the back of the VinFast VF 5 is a horizontal lightbar — with the marque’s emblem in the middle — that wraps around the waistline of the crossover. Below are its taillamps, which are positioned close to the rear-end reflectors.

Rounding up its exterior features are plasticky bumpers (front and back), wheel arches, door claddings, and side sill garnishes.

VinFast’s use of plastic extends pretty much to the cabin with a multi-functional, flat-bottom steering wheel that feels made from the same material. Past it is a seven-inch driver information display accompanied by an eight-inch infotainment screen.

Its occupants will sit on seats covered with leather-like upholstery. The center console — which is very minimal — comes with a standard, manual hand brake as well as a knob for changing the gears.

There are also plenty of physical buttons, which could be good for quick adjustments for when one needs to get the temperature right or skip a song in the playlist.

Power comes from a single electric motor, which draws energy from a 37.23 kilowatt-hour battery. On paper, the said setup makes 134 horsepower (hp) with 135 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. A selectable driving mode is available, allowing owners to toggle between Eco and Sport.

It has an estimated range of up to 326 kilometers (km).

Safety-wise, the VinFast VF 5 offers a decent list of safety features, which include rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot detection. It also comes with driving nannies in the form of a rear parking assist and a rear view camera with guide lines.

The VinFast VF 5 is priced at P1.191 million. However, the Haiphong-headquartered electric car brand is offering the crossover with a battery subscription program, which will slash the price down to P992,000.

For those who want to check out their options, here are other electric crossovers currently available on the market.

Zeekr X

Also new to the segment, the Zeekr X looks to make an impression to draw the attention of today’s electric car buyers.

Outside, it wears a seamless front end with full LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights (DRL). Like the aforementioned VinFast VF 5, the Zeekr X also wears the brand’s emblem at the center of the bonnet. The aforementioned makes up its sleek and minimal fascia, befitting its modern minimalist look.

The Geely-owned brand takes things a step further as it gives the Zeekr X a seamless side profile. It lacks traditional door handles and instead has smooth door panels with buttons positioned on the vehicle’s pillars. Notable also are its frameless windows and electric side mirrors.

Depending on the variant, it will ride on 19- or 20-inch wheels with a trim-specific design.

The back side of the Zeekr X gets a pair of LED taillamps, a roof that slightly extends to the rear to form a discreet spoiler, a third brake lamp, an illuminated Zeekr badge, reflectors on each side of the bumper, and a power liftgate.

Its interior looks posh and opulent with a leather-covered steering wheel greeting the driver. Past the multi-functional steering wheel is an 8.8-inch high-definition LCD instrument cluster paired with a 24.3-inch augmented reality head-up display.

Also found on the dashboard is a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto functionalities.

Occupants who will be sitting on the Zeekr X’s polyurethane-covered seats will also get to enjoy its 13-speaker Yamaha-made surround stereo premium audio unit, ambient lighting with Pixel RGB LED technology, panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, dual-zone air conditioning system, and air quality sensors that jas an N95 filter.

Zeekr is currently offering the X crossover in two variants. The base Premium RWD model uses a single high-performance permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). Energy is taken from a lithium nickel cobalt manganate battery, which allows it to make some 268 horses with 343 Nm of pulling power.

It has an estimated range of 445 km.

Meanwhile, the Zeekr X’s range-topping Flagship AWD variant gets an additional PMSM motor installed on its front wheel axle. The said electric motor adds some 154 hp and 200 Nm to the equation for a total power output of 422 hp and 543 Nm.

Its estimated range is 425 km.

When it comes to safety, the Zeekr X comes with impressive technologies like airbags and seatbelts, a 360-degree view camera, electronic stability control, hill descent control, an anti-rolling program, an anti-lock brake system, and electronic brake-force distribution.

It also gets electronic traction control, cornering brake control, a brake assist system with emergency braking light flash, and low-speed pedestrian warning.

The Zeekr X gets a price tag that ranges from P2.6 million-P3 million.

BYD Atto 3

The BYD Atto 3 has been on the market for quite some time now. It has proven its mettle after driving from Bonifacio Global City to Baguio on a single charge with some top-up required.

Outside, the BYD Atto 3 somehow combines the best of both the VinFast VF 5’s conventional looks and the Zeekr X’s futuristic design. At the fore is a clean-looking fascia with adaptive LED headlamps and LED DRLs. The BYD logo is applied in the middle with a silver trim. It alsogets a lower grille with horizontal slats.

The side of the BYD Atto 3 comes with body-colored door handles, blacked-out pillars, roof rails, and a set of either 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, depending on the variant. It also gets electric side mirrors that has heating functionalities and puddle lamps.

At the back, the BYD Atto 3 offers a horizontal LED light bar, a pair of taillamps, sequential turn signals, as well as an electric tailgate.

Inside, it looks overly futuristic with dashboard and door card trims that look like the underbelly of a whale. But as soon as drivers can get past that, they will get to appreciate its leather interior upholstery applied on the crossover’s steering wheel and seats.

Past the multi-functional steering wheel is a five-inch LCD instrument cluster that sits close to a 12.8-inch infotainment screen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. For those who fancy different screen orientations, it has a rotating function to help one get a better look at the screen.

Audio is directed to the BYD Atto 3’s eight-speaker Dirac HD sound system. Also notable are its automatic air conditioning system, panoramic sunroof, CN95 air filter, and wireless charging dock.

Powering the BYD Atto 3 is a PMSM that generates 201 hp with 310 Nm of torque. It has a lithium-ion phosphate Blade battery that can offer up to 480 km of emissions-free driving for the range-topping Premium variant and some 410 km of all-electric range for the base Dynamic trim.

Respectively, the BYD Atto 3 is priced from P1.598 million-P1.798 million.

Those who value safety will find the BYD Atto 3’s features adequate. It comes with an anti-lock brake system, electronic stability control, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, an electric parking brake, hill descent control, a rear-view camera, and a 360-degree view monitor.

Further, it gets adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot detection.

Also read:

VinFast recognized as among TIME100’s most influential firms

VinFast PH reveals VF 5 pricing

Could VinFast VF 5 be offered in PH with battery subscription program?