Let's face it, the recent tensions in the Middle East pushed the price of fuel quite literally to new heights.

That's why buyers with the means to purchase right now to get a brand-new car, diverted instead to get an electrified vehicle; that's why so many brands reported record reservations at MIAS. Of course, these brands were all Chinese, as these automakers were poised and ready with their electric cars and PHEVs.

Not so fast, said VinFast Philippines. The subsidiary distributor of Vietnam's native automaker claimed the budget-friendly VF 3 EV has also been sold out until June of this year after buyers immediately snapped up available units. With a base price of PHP 590K when purchased with the brand's battery subscription program, it's a bargain indeed.

The VF3, however, has limitations. Its small size, limited range of 170 km, and basic features may leave some EV customers wanting something a bit bigger, that can cover more distance, and has a longer list of features, complete with seating for five. That's where the VF 6 comes in.

The VF 6 is an all-electric B-SUV that VinFast says can impress, and is bigger than both the VF 3 and VF 5. It's also one of the brand's latest vehicles and comes with improved build quality, cabin materials, and more high-tech amenities without breaking the bank. With buyers looking to get an affordable EV and the VF 3 currently out of stock, is the VF 6 a worthy alternative?

Dashing Design

Immediately grabbing my attention with the VF 6 is its looks. It looks quite similar to the VF 5, as both come with the signature V lighting on their front fascia. But that’s where the similarities end, since the VF 6 is bigger, more mature, and has a sleeker design compared to the VF 5’s boxier exterior.

Penned by renowned Italian design studio Torino, the VinFast VF 6 looks and feels like a crossover that hails from Europe, with an overall design that is fresh and more mature. The sleek shape gives it a hatchback-like appearance, while the dynamic LED taillights and tailgate provide a sporty look. Depending on the variant you want, the VF 6 can come with either 17-inch alloys on the Eco variant or bigger 19-inch two-tone wheels on the range-topping Plus.

Some might say VinFast could have made the VF 6 stand out more from the VF 5, but to be honest, VinFast had the right approach of changing it up without losing their brand identity. And for those curious about its size, the VF 6 measures 4241mm long, 1834mm wide, and 1580mm tall on a 2730mm wheelbase. It also has 170mm of ground clearance and a cargo capacity of up to 1,576 liters with the rear seats folded. I wish the seats folded flat, but then again, this is a budget-oriented electric B-SUV.

A Better Cabin

If there was one chief complaint about the VF 5, it would be the materials used inside. Yes, it’s a budget vehicle, but the build quality and the so-so materials used in the VF 5 were less than impressive even for its price tag. Fortunately, VinFast took notice of this and rectified it in the VF 6. Not only do the materials feel better, but they also added some nice features to enhance the overall packaging.

The first thing I noticed was that the interior didn’t rattle as much compared to the VF 5, which is a sign that VinFast has been working on its fit & finish. There’s also the matter of the materials used on the dashboard and softer touchpoints. VinFast even put a leather-trimmed panel on the dashboard, complete with contrast stitching for a snazzier look. Even the seats are finished in leather and also come with contrast stitching.

Then there are the toggle switches that serve as the VF 6’s gear selector. While they may be a novel feature at first, they actually free up space on the center console and dashboard, resulting in more cabin space. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it quickly becomes second nature as you drive the VF 6. Speaking of the center console, the VF 6 comes with center cupholders, a volume knob for the infotainment system, the central lock button, and the button for the hazard warning lights.

Since it doesn’t have a traditional drivetrain underneath, it also has a deep center glovebox, which also serves as the front center armrest. Not only can it store various items away from prying eyes, but it also has a couple of USB charging ports, along with a 12V power socket.

Last but not least are the seats. Some automakers forget that while having a long list of features can impress a prospective buyer, having a good set of seats that are comfortable can make or break a sale. Fortunately, VinFast did its homework, as the VF 6’s front & rear seats are great for long or short trips.

Electric Heart

The VF 6 is powered by a 59.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which, on a full charge, gives the electric crossover a range of up to 480 km, based on the NEDC cycle (460 km on the more powerful VF 6 Plus). Both the Eco and Plus variants come with a single electric motor that drives the front wheels. The Eco version puts out 177 PS with 250 Nm of torque, while the Plus variant generates more with 210 PS and a healthier 310 Nm of torque.

The VF 6 supports both AC and DC fast charging, with the former supporting up to 7.4 kW of AC charging when hooked up to a home wallbox charger. It also has a 3.5 kW portable charger when you need to recharge while on the go. In case you need to recharge faster, the VF 6 supports 100 kW DC charging, which can recharge the battery from 10% to 70% in just 25 minutes.

Speed, Efficiency & Comfort

For this particular drive, VinFast took us from VinFast Caloocan to Nena’s Sanctuary in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. On a good day with little to no traffic, it will take around an hour via the Skyway System and SLEX to cover the 58.1 kilometer drive. With no time like the present, we hopped inside the VF 6, put on our seat belts, adjusted our mirrors, set up our favorite tunes, and we were on our way.

With 98% on the battery and 470 km of available range, we had more than enough juice to make it all the way from EDSA Caloocan to Sta. Rosa, Laguna. With the drive mode set to Normal, I noticed that despite being an EV, the accelerator pedal performs like a gas-powered vehicle. It’s not too sensitive that it will immediately send all power to the pavement. However, when I switched to Sport, it delivered quite the jolt and a bit of torque steer. You have to remember that EVs lack a traditional transmission, which means power delivery and acceleration can happen in an instant. This goes for both the Eco and Plus versions we got to drive.

I switched it back to Normal and kept on cruising from Skyway all the way to SLEX. During the drive, I noticed how soft the ride was on the VF 6. This is surprising since most electric B-SUVs suffer from a slightly stiff ride to compensate for the weight of the battery. However, VinFast was able to balance it out and give the VF 6 decent handling, while also giving it a comfy ride. It’s no luxury crossover, but for the price VinFast is asking for, it’s quite impressive.

After more than an hour on the road, we arrived at Nena’s Sanctuary with about 75% remaining on the battery. Since we mostly drove on the highway, we were able to sip volts thanks to regenerative braking, gathering lost energy during braking and coasting.

Points To Improve

Despite my praises for the VF 6, some aspects of the EV need to be improved. For starters, most of the in-car features can only be accessed and managed via the 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While it saves on wiring and uses fewer buttons, the heavy reliance on the screen means cabin controls are not as easily accessible. You must go through the menus.

For example, you can only adjust the side mirrors via the touchscreen infotainment system. You can do this by clicking on a shortcut on the screen and then using the audio controls on the left side of the steering wheel to adjust either the left or right side mirrors. Personally, a dedicated panel on the driver’s side door or dashboard could have made it more user-friendly rather than having it placed on the infotainment system.

Then there’s the tire noise, which can easily creep into the cabin. Yes, the VF 6 is meant to meet a certain price point, but perhaps VinFast can add more noise-insulation materials to lessen tire noise. Meanwhile, both wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto work as advertised. However, the signal connection between your mobile device and the touchscreen can sometimes disconnect while driving. The connection does come back, but perhaps an over-the-air (OTA) update can solve this particular issue, as it can be quite the nuisance.

For peace of mind, the top-of-the-line Plus variant comes with advanced driver assist systems (ADAS). This gives the EV intelligent driver aids like forward & rear collision warning with automatic emergency braking for both front & rear, adaptive cruise control with highway & traffic jam assist (basic cruise control for Eco), blind-spot detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, auto lane-change assist, and lane-centering control.

All well and good, but I find the collision warning to be too sensitive. Despite setting it to “near”, I had to turn it off midway during the drive since the alarm bells kept going off. Perhaps an update to make it less sensitive could be done.

Is it worth it?

After covering nearly 120 km in one day in the VinFast VF 6, is it the electric B-SUV you’re looking for? If you find the VF 3 too small and its range not as good, the VF 6 is roomier, has more features, more pep from its electric motor, and has a longer range. The VF 6’s more mature looks, better interior ergonomics, and longer list of features also translate to value for money.

But just how much is the VF 6 Eco and the VF 6 Plus? Well, if you’re subscribed to the automaker’s battery subscription service, the VF 6 Eco retails at PHP 1.249M while the VF6 Plus has a sticker price of PHP 1.409M. The monthly subscription fee is PHP 2,350, and it offers peace of mind in case the battery needs replacement. If you don’t opt for the battery subscription program, the VF 6 Eco and Plus retail at PHP 1.499M and PHP 1.699M, respectively.

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At its current prices with the battery subscription service, the VF 6 is quite affordable and undercuts the likes of the BYD Atto 3, which starts at PHP 1.598M for the entry-level Dynamic. Yes, it’s a big leap from the VF 3 in terms of price, but you are getting more car and range from the VF 6, complete with battery protection included.

Are you willing to make the EV switch for the VinFast VF 6?