Test Driving the VinFast VF 3: Is There Legroom for Adults in the Backseat?

On August 1st, VinFast held an event to deliver the first VF 3 electric vehicles to their customers. The ceremony took place near a shopping mall in Long Bien, Hanoi, with an estimated 200 VinFast VF 3 cars being handed over during the event. Simultaneously, VinFast also delivered cars to their first customers in Ho Chi Minh City.

The event didn’t just end with the delivery ceremony; attendees could also register to test drive the car. 

The VinFast VF 3 was officially unveiled in mid-July 2023 during the VinFast exhibition. At that time, the VF 3 was presented as a concept car, showcasing VinFast’s design ideas for an upcoming commercial model.

By mid-May, VinFast had invited representatives from the media and influencers to their factory to preview this mini electric car. However, the VF 3 was still in development and not the final version ready for customer delivery.

Driving the VinFast VF 3

During the test drive of the Production Try-out (PTO) version, many people noticed that some details were not highly refined. One of the most mentioned aspects was the steering, which felt light but lacked feedback and self-centering after turning.

Additionally, there was an expectation for VinFast to include a storage tray in the front hood area to enhance practicality. The second row of seats also received feedback suggesting they should be split to make the car more versatile.

The commercial version delivered this morning showed some surprising improvements. Notably, the build quality of the first batch was excellent, with hardly any flaws detectable.

However, the manufacturer kept the second row as a bench seat, only allowing the seatback to be folded down together, not individually. 

Regarding the front hood, this area houses many operational components, and instead of a convenient latch, a tool is required to open it. Moreover, the hood is made of plastic, so it is recommended to limit opening and closing it to maintain its longevity.

The VinFast VF 3 has a unique feature that sets it apart from other models in the same line-up: the key must be placed in a designated slot between the seats to start the car. After inserting the key, the driver steps on the brake and adjusts the gear selector located behind the steering wheel.

The brake pedal of the VinFast VF 3 is designed to mimic the operation of a car with an internal combustion engine: after releasing the brake, the car will slowly creep forward.

Is the VinFast VF 3’s Back Seat Comfortable for Tall Adults?

According to VinFast, the VF 3 can accelerate from 0 to 50 km/h in 5.3 seconds. During the test drive, the VF 3 proved to be agile and nimble in urban traffic. When the accelerator was floored, the car provided a brief but exciting “pinned-to-your-seat” sensation.

With dimensions of 3,190 x 1,679 x 1,652 mm (LxWxH), the VinFast VF 3 falls into the sub-compact segment. Therefore, the space for rear passengers has been a topic of interest for many.

During the test drive, I shared the back seat with two other guests (along with a VinFast coordinator). While the coordinator was introducing the car to the driver, one of the guests, who was 1.8 meters tall, commented that he had enough space to sit comfortably. 

There was just enough legroom for his knees to touch the back of the front seat, and there was ample headroom. It’s worth noting that the front seat in front of the 1.8-meter guest was adjusted for the coordinator, who is 1.75 meters tall.

Hence, it can be concluded that the VinFast VF 3 provides sufficient space for four adults to travel comfortably.