Vinfast has filed a design patent for the VF5 facelift in India, offering a glimpse of the exterior design changes on the electric SUV. The patent suggests repositioned headlights, a new bonnet, redesigned LED taillights and fresh bumpers. We had previously reported that the VF5 is being considered for India. The new design patent filing and prior test mule sightings suggest Vinfast could be preparing to launch the facelifted eSUV in the country.
- Interior features a larger infotainment screen and a new steering wheel
- India-spec VF5 is expected to be priced at around Rs 12 lakh
Interestingly, the VF5 facelift was spied without camouflage in Vietnam in September 2026, and the design changes on the model correspond with the design patent in India.
Vinfast VF5 facelift: What’s different?
Revised lighting elements, redesigned bumpers, and a new bonnet can be seen
The design patent suggests that the headlights have become sleeker and are positioned lower down on the VF5 facelift, compared to the current global-spec model. The thick black portions underneath the headlights have also become slimmer and merge with the blackened lower portion of the bumper, making the SUV look more modern and edgy.
In profile, the wheels look redesigned. From the model spied in Vietnam last month, it is discernible that the wheel size will be the same at 16 inches. Other design elements in the profile look identical to the current VF5.
At the rear, the VF5 facelift will feature revised and chunkier connected LED taillights, and unlike the current model’s reverse light and turn indicator placement on the bumper, the facelift model will integrate these lighting elements with the taillights. The Vietnamese spy shots further reveal Vinfast lettering on the centre and a VF5 badge on the rightmost corner of the tailgate.
Will get a larger infotainment screen, but will skip a dedicated driver’s display
The spy shots from Vietnam also offer a glimpse into the interior design of the facelifted VF5. They reveal a more upright dashboard featuring a larger free-standing infotainment touchscreen and a redesigned 2-spoke steering wheel with a flattened top and bottom. A traditional driver’s display appears to be missing, as the infotainment screen will double up as the instrumentation screen. The centre console also appears to have more aggressive creases, albeit with a rotary drive selector dial and two cupholders.
The cabin is black on the spied model, like the current Vietnam-spec VF5, but the seats appear to have leatherette upholstery, an upgrade from the current fabric seats.
In Indonesia, it is offered with a 29.6kWh battery pack powering a front-axle-mounted (FWD) electric motor, producing 90hp and 135Nm, and offering a claimed NEDC range of 268km. Other countries get a 37.23kWh battery option, powering a 136hp, 135Nm front motor, with a claimed NEDC range of 326km.
The India-spec Vinfast VF5 is expected to be priced at around Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). It could potentially lock horns with the Tata Punch EV (Rs 9.79 lakh to Rs 12.99 lakh), or the Tata Nexon EV (Rs 12.49 lakh to Rs 17.69 lakh) and the Mahindra XUV 3XO EV (Rs 13.89 lakh to Rs 14.96 lakh), depending on the VF5 specification Vinfast brings to India.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Suraj Viswanathan
Hormazd Sorabjee
Kiran Murali
Saptarshi Mondal
