VinFast has unveiled its next-generation 2027 VF 8; and while most updates result in a larger vehicle, this one is slightly smaller than the current version. The all-electric auto company is based in Vietnam, and sells the VF 8 and larger VF 9 in Canada – specifically, in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec – with the compact VF 7 still on its way. The new VF 8 has launched in Vietnam, and so far, there’s no word on when or where it will be exported.
Globally, the automaker offers a wide range of vehicles, including a variety of SUV sizes, along with subcompact models, an off-road sport-utility, and a small pickup truck. VinFast said the new VF 8 is its first model “to receive comprehensive upgrades in design, technology, and features,” with a new chassis and frequency-selective shocks for improved driving performance, and redesigned interior. It remains a five-seater, and while its overall length shrinks by just 49 mm (1.9 inches), the wheelbase shortens up by 110 mm (4.3 inches).
It rides on 19-inch wheels and with 170 mm (6.6 inches) of ground clearance. Its 228-horsepower electric motor drives the front wheels, and its 60.1-kWh battery pack gives it a 500-km driving range as measured by European test standards. In Canada, the 2026 VF 8 has an 87.7-kWh battery and two electric motors that create 349 horsepower and all-wheel drive (AWD), and with a rating from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) of 373 km to 412 km, depending on trim.
We’re still waiting on confirmation from VinFast Canada on the 2027 model’s specs when it comes here, but it’s also not unusual for vehicles to differ in their power and driveline configuration for each region, and it’s possible that could be the case for North American sales. The new model includes an integrated thermal management system, developed in-house by VinFast, which controls heating and cooling functions for the battery, motor, and cabin climate. The automaker says this improves energy efficiency and battery durability, and supports fast-charging capability.
The styling is smoother than before, with a sleeker side profile, larger gloss-black grille and air intakes, and redesigned back end with LED-strip taillights. Inside, the cabin design is now kept to a minimum, with a tablet-style instrument cluster that wasn’t there before, and a 12.9-inch centre touchscreen, a reduction from the 15.6-inch screen in the current model. The new steering wheel is two-spoke to the current three-spoke design.
The 2026 version has buttons in the centre console for shifting gears, but the new console is button-free, and gear selection is now done with a column-mounted selector. Features include dual-zone climate control, six-way power seats, reclining and folding rear seats, eight-speaker audio, highway driving assist, and 360-degree camera. If the VF 8 does come to Canada in this configuration, with smaller battery and front-wheel drive, it might also undercut the current model’s prices, which begin at $53,600 for the Eco trim, and $59,200 for the Plus trim.
VinFast opened its Canadian operations in 2022, with the first vehicles arriving in May 2023. In 2025, it sold approximately 1,165 vehicles in Canada, up from 900 in 2024. In other news, VinFast in 2022 announced it would build a factory in North Carolina, its first in North America, to build the VF 8 and VF 9 with an initial annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles and with a commitment of 7,500 jobs and US$3 billion in investments.
But the project has been stalled for more than a year, with the original 2026 start date moved to 2028. The state is now suing the automaker, saying it “has defaulted on its agreements with the State,” and says it should be allowed to “exercise its option to purchase the land for a future manufacturer,” along with repayment of US$80 million it allocated to VinFast for the site preparation. Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X, TikTok, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.
