“Why MPVs Might Not Be the Best Family Vehicle Choice”

Here’s the content from the program *Trên Ghế 173*, broadcast on September 20th on HTV9.

Below is the discussion between host Đăng Việt and journalist Nguyễn Thúc Hoàng Linh on the topic: Top 5 categories at the 2025 Car Choice Awards and what makes them stand out.

First category: Family Car of the Year under 600 million VND. The top 5 are Toyota Vios, Honda City, Mitsubishi Xpander, VinFast VF 5, and Hyundai Stargazer. What’s your take on this lineup?

I believe Honda City or Toyota Vios has a high chance of taking the top spot. While Xpander and Stargazer offer functionality, they’re often associated with commercial use in Vietnam. These models prioritize passenger capacity but lack the comfort features families seek.

Stargazer boasts a modern design, but its avant-garde style might not appeal to the masses. Its sales figures aren’t strong enough to sway the vote significantly.

VF 5 is appealing due to its novelty, but it’s also leaning toward commercial use. Families seek individuality, which VF 5 might not fully deliver.

Vios and City, despite their compact size, have two major advantages. First, they’re from trusted brands known for reliability, offering peace of mind. Second, recent upgrades in safety (Toyota Safety Sense and Honda Sensing) and modern conveniences cater to younger buyers.

Thus, Vios and City are the top contenders based on consumer preferences.

How do Vietnamese families typically choose a car under 600 million VND?

In Vietnam, the first family car often needs to accommodate multiple generations. This makes Stargazer or Xpander popular choices. However, young families with 1-2 children and moderate income prioritize reliability, ease of use, and brand reputation. Resale value is also crucial, as many plan to upgrade after a few years.

Next category: Family Car of the Year between 600 million – 1 billion VND. The lineup includes Mazda CX-5, Ford Territory, Hyundai Tucson, VinFast VF 7, and Toyota Innova Cross. Your thoughts?

Innova Cross might be less popular here, as it’s more suited for commercial or professional use than purely family needs.

Mazda CX-5 is a strong contender. Its attractive pricing and well-rounded features make it a favorite, reflected in its consistent sales performance.

Ford Territory is another formidable competitor. Its recent update solidifies its position, making it a top rival to CX-5.

VinFast VF 7 is appealing but currently resonates more with those in Vingroup’s ecosystem. Hyundai Tucson, while stylish, trails behind Territory and CX-5 in family-friendliness.

If CX-5’s price increased by 100 million VND, would Territory take the lead?

Absolutely. A 100 million VND increase would likely push buyers toward Territory, given its established value and financing options.

Next: Family Car of the Year between 1-2 billion VND. The top 5 are Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Carnival, Ford Everest, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Santa Fe. Your pick?

Kia Carnival is ideal for large families, but for smaller families, Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda CR-V are more popular. Santa Fe’s bold design appeals to younger, social media-active buyers. Honda CR-V, especially the hybrid variant, is highly regarded for its performance and efficiency.

Ford Everest and Skoda Kodiaq are robust SUVs, but Everest’s appeal is niche, suited for off-road enthusiasts rather than the average family. Personally, I’d choose the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS for its driving dynamics and eco-friendly hybrid engine.

Final category: Family Car of the Year between 2-5 billion VND. The top 5 are Volkswagen Viloran, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, and Toyota Alphard. Your choice?

This category splits into two groups: MPVs and SUVs. Volkswagen Viloran is a rising star, offering premium space and comfort. Toyota Alphard, while prestigious, has a smaller user base.

Among SUVs, Prado is less family-oriented, leaving GLC and X5 as the main contenders. In Vietnam, GLC is preferred for its familiarity and “worry-free” ownership experience.

My top pick is the Mercedes-Benz GLC, a popular choice among successful young Vietnamese families. For long-distance travel, Viloran is an excellent MPV option.

To wrap up, here are Nguyễn Thúc Hoàng Linh’s top picks for each category:

Under 600 million VND: Honda City, Toyota Vios, Hyundai Stargazer, Mitsubishi Xpander, VinFast VF 5.

600 million – 1 billion VND: Ford Territory, VinFast VF 7, Toyota Innova Cross, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson.

1-2 billion VND: Honda CR-V e:HEV RS, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Everest, Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Carnival.

2-5 billion VND: Mercedes-Benz GLC, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, BMW X5, Volkswagen Viloran, Toyota Alphard.

Thank you, Mr. Linh.

The program *Trên Ghế* is a collaboration between Ho Chi Minh City Television and VCCorp, produced by AutoPro, and commercially managed by AdWheel. It airs on HTV9 at 6:10 PM from Monday to Saturday and rebroadcasts at 8:00 PM on VCCorp’s multi-platform network.