Vinfast cars in India (4)

Autocar India

•15s

The VinFast VF MPV 7 gets the fundamentals right - cabin space is excellent, in all three rows. Also, the company claims that it'll deliver 500km range; however, we're yet to test it in the real-world. What also works in its favour is its 10-year warranty, free charging until 2029 and EV transition incentives, as well as buyback schemes that make the ownership proposition look compelling.However, for the money, the interior seems too basic, and it misses several features, making it hard to justify its asking price. Also, on first impression, its ride quality seemed a touch busy, so in case you're going for it, make sure you take a long test drive before finalising.Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis EV. It is an excellent, well-priced EV, with a more upmarket interior and a respectable real-world range of 345-383km on a single charge.

Vinfast VF MPV 7

Autocar India

•2h

While they all make compelling cases for your usage pattern, we’d lean toward the Mahindra XEV 9e from your list. The XEV 9S is the most spacious, which is always good if you need an extra pair of seats in a pinch, and if not, they can be easily folded away. It's well equipped too and the seats are very comfortable, and with the widest price range and most variants, there's more to choose from. However, its size makes it cumbersome around town, and its overly soft suspension can feel too bouncy at higher speeds.The Vinfast VF7 feels more compact, making it easier around town, its suspension feels more tied down, giving it a mature, European ride quality, and if you choose the dual-motor version, performance is exceptionally strong. However, its efficiency and range aren't particularly good, and though early impressions have been good, it's still a new brand with a relatively smaller and as-of-now-unproven network. The XEV 9e strikes a good middle ground between the two. It doesn't suffer from the soft suspension of the 9S, yet it has all the same equipment and two out of the three battery options. You don't get the third row of course, but you get a sleek coupe SUV form factor instead with little sacrifice to boot space and rear headroom. Do bear in mind though, there have been reports of electronic glitches in Mahindra's EVs, mostly pertaining to the screens, but these are things that can be fixed with software. Overall, we feel the XEV 9e is the best fit of these three for you.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra XEV 9S

Vinfast VF7

Autocar India

•1d

The VinFast VF6 and VF7 are interesting new options in the growing EV market. The brand’s rapid expansion has already made it the fourth-largest EV maker in India. While some success comes from initial hype, the products offer impressive value for money. The VF6 and VF7 also stand out because of their distinctive and modern designs.Although ownership feedback is still limited, current owners seem largely satisfied with their vehicles. Many owners have especially appreciated the performance, solid build quality, and comfortable ride quality. However, the real-world driving range appears slightly lower compared to some established rivals. One advantage of EVs is that they generally require very little regular maintenance. VinFast’s service network is currently limited, but Delhi should still offer adequate support coverage.As an alternative, you could also consider the Hyundai Creta Electric for your requirements. Since you already own a Hyundai, the ownership experience may feel more familiar and convenient. Hyundai’s widespread after-sales network could also provide greater peace of mind during long-term ownership. Within your budget, you would likely get a lower-spec variant with the smaller battery pack. Even then, the Creta Electric remains reasonably well-equipped for everyday driving requirements. As a second car mainly for city use, its driving range should feel sufficient.The Creta Electric is also highly efficient, while offering better space and everyday practicality. It may not feel as distinctive or quirky as the VinFast models. However, as a practical and dependable EV, the Creta Electric performs its role very well.

Vinfast VF6

Vinfast VF7

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

•2d

An electric vehicle will be extremely cost effective, given your 200km daily running. And if you can manage with home charging, your running costs will be lower than ₹2 per km, which will be a significant saving compared to a petrol, diesel or even hybrid. You could narrow down your search to the Vinfast VF6 which has a 59.6kWh battery and a claimed range of 480km; Tata Curvv EV which has a 55kWh battery and a claimed range of 502km; and a base Hyundai Creta Electric with a 42kWh battery and which has a claimed range of 420km. Out of these, the Vinfast VF6 has the most premium interior, most powerful motor, and the longest warranty coverage. The Curvv EV is the best equipped, while the Creta Electric, even though it has the smallest battery, its real-world range will be more than sufficient for your daily use with overnight slow charging. We'd strongly recommend you drive all these three cars and pick the one that appeals to you the most.

Vinfast VF6

Tata Curvv EV

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

•1w

Your usage and requirements point to a tough yet comfortable diesel SUV with lots of space. In that use, the Tata Safari 6-seat diesel automatic Accomplished X+ fits you best. It rides comfortably on broken surfaces, feels steady at highway speeds, and the captain seats in the middle row are wide and easy to get in and out of, which matters when you are in the car for hours every day. They're also widely adjustable and even ventilated, which is a bonus. The diesel with an automatic gearbox means less effort in slow stretches and relaxed cruising between towns, and diesel makes sense for your monthly distance.Know the trade-offs. With all three rows up, boot space is tight, so plan for a roof carrier if you carry a lot of luggage, and Tata's aftersales and service network isn't quite as good as some other brands. If you are fine with a manual, the Toyota Innova Crysta 7-seat diesel remains a great long-term workhorse and is very reliable too. However, it's not as comfortable or well equipped as the Tata Safari.As for EVs, your two options are the Vinfast VF MP7 and the BYD eMax7. However, due to their long wheelbases, slightly lower ground clearances and underbody battery packs, we'd recommend sticking to an ICE MPV for your usage on rough roads and quarries. Additionally, their dealership and after-sales networks are still limited compared to Tata and Toyota.

Tata Safari

Toyota Innova Crysta

Vinfast VF MPV 7

BYD eMax 7

Autocar India

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The VinFast VF7 is an able cruiser that's engaging to drive. The AWD version packs in plenty of performance, and you feel confident behind the wheel, with characteristics similar to the Jeep Compass. What also works in the VF7's favour is its upmarket interior that genuinely exudes a premium car vibe.To entice buyers, VinFast is also offering several attractive schemes, such as buyback offers, incentives to exchange your ICE car, free charging options, long warranty, etc.Do keep in mind, its high cabin floor could hamper comfort, the user interface isn't very easy due to the over-reliance on its touchscreen for all controls, and its (overall) range is around 391km, which is lower than the Mahindra XEV 9E's (456km).

Vinfast VF7

Mahindra XEV 9e

Jeep Compass

Autocar India

•4w

The VinFast VF7 is an excellent choice - it feels premium, performance is strong, seats are comfortable, and you're certainly going to stand out from the crowd. What's nice is that VinFast is also providing impressive warranty, ICE to EV incentives, and many more ownership solutions to entice buyers, thus making the VF7 worthy of your consideration. If you can account for home charging, this is a great option, as your running cost will be very low. Another excellent EV you could consider is the Hyundai Creta Electric - being a Hyundai, you will be familiar with the service and maintenance, and even though the Creta's design isn't as radical as the VF7, it is a very sensible EV you can buy.

Vinfast VF7

Autocar India

•4w

The Tata Curvv EV rides better, and the suspension handles rough roads well, so your child will not get tossed around. Its rear seat space is reasonable, although its sloping roofline limits headroom for tall adults.As you've rightly mentioned, the MG Windsor feels much roomier, and it's got a huge boot too. However, most functions are embedded in its slow-to-respond touchscreen, and its ride comfort isn't as good as Tata's either. Alternatively, you could check out the Vinfast VF6 and Kia Carens Clavis EV, both of which are (pricier) excellent alternatives to the Curvv EV.As far as ADAS goes, these certainly provide an extra layer of safety, and can be a life-saver in case the driver isn't paying attention. However, it can occasionally feel intrusive, especially in bumper-to-bumper conditions. When other road users cut you off, you could be taken by surprise and slam on the brakes. Hence, it would be better to leave these off for the city, and use them only on the highway.

Tata Curvv EV

MG Windsor

Vinfast VF6

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•6w

All cars have crumple zones as these are needed to absorb the impact forces and keep the occupant area intact, and thus the passengers safe. It's how well they work and absorb the energy that differentiates them and helps make one car safer than the other in a crash.The MG Windsor has not been crash tested at Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP, so it's hard to say how well it will fare. Meanwhile, the Vinfast VF6 has been crash tested at Bharat NCAP and has secured a 5-star rating. Thus, it really comes down to how much of a priority you are putting on this aspect and if you drive often on highways and at higher speeds.

Vinfast VF6

MG Windsor

Autocar India

•8w

If you have the budget for it, opt for the MG Windsor Pro for its larger battery and its 377 km real-world range. Also, its bright seat upholstery looks more upmarket, and it also gets ADAS.The VF6's interiors feel even more premium, performance is stronger, and it is a nicer car to drive. Space, however, won't be as generous, and even though we haven't tested it yet, despite having a larger battery, it weighs a lot more. Hence, efficiency isn't likely to be too different from the Windsor Pro.In summary, if you are usually self-driven, opt for the VinFast VF6. Otherwise, for mixed usage or if you travel regularly with family, then the Windsor Pro is the better, more spacious option.

Vinfast VF6

MG Windsor