The VinFast VF 6 arrives in India like that well-dressed guest at a wedding who may not talk much initially, but once you sit next to them, you realise they have a lot going on. Launched in 2024, this first-generation, all-electric crossover SUV is VinFast’s way of saying, “We’re new here, but please don’t underestimate us.” And honestly, after spending time with it, you won’t.
Positioned as a compact electric crossover for India, the VF 6 competes in a segment where range anxiety, feature obsession and value-for-money debates are daily dinner-table discussions. With prices starting at ₹16.49 lakh and topping out at ₹18.29 lakh (ex-showroom), VinFast has clearly read the Indian market’s mood—and its long feature wishlists.
Design: When Pininfarina Meets Subtle Confidence
Let’s start with the face. The VF 6 wears VinFast’s signature ‘V’ light like a badge of honour—clean, futuristic and instantly recognisable, especially at night. Designed by none other than Pininfarina and Torino Design Studio (yes, the same design houses associated with Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo), the VF 6 doesn’t scream for attention. Instead, it politely raises its hand and says, “Excuse me, I’m well-designed.”
The proportions are tidy: about 4.2 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and 1.6 metres tall, with a healthy 190 mm ground clearance—which in India translates to “I won’t panic at speed breakers.” The 18-inch machine-cut alloys wrapped in Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV tyres look premium without trying too hard, while LED projector headlamps with auto levelling, automatic high beam and follow-me-home functions make the VF 6 feel like it belongs to a segment above.
The Desat Silver shade on our test car looks classy, though buyers can also pick beige, red, black, grey or green—depending on whether you’re feeling sensible or adventurous.
Interior: A Tech Lounge on Wheels
Step inside, and the VF 6 greets you with an interior that feels more Scandinavian café than traditional SUV. The edge-to-edge panoramic glass roof floods the cabin with light, and the vegan leather upholstery reinforces VinFast’s eco-friendly messaging—without making you miss real leather.
Dominating the dashboard is a 12.9-inch touchscreen, which handles everything from infotainment and navigation to games, diagnostics and OTA updates. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are present (thankfully), and the interface is intuitive enough that you won’t need a YouTube tutorial just to change the AC temperature.
The head-up display, bezel-less auto-dimming IRVM, piano-inspired gear selector (yes, it looks as fancy as it sounds) and D-cut multifunction steering wheel all add to the premium vibe. The front seats are ventilated—an absolute blessing in Indian summers—and the driver gets an 8-way power-adjustable seat.
Space is well managed. The boot offers 423 litres, which expands to a very usable 1,576 litres when you fold the 60:40 rear seats. Translation: airport runs, weekend trips and IKEA shopping sprees are all approved.
Features: Because Why Not Add Everything?
VinFast clearly decided that if they’re entering India, they’ll do it with a feature mic drop. The VF 6 offers Level 2 ADAS, including lane centering, auto lane change assist, blind spot detection, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking (front and rear), rear cross traffic alert and driver drowsiness monitoring.
There are four drive modes—Off, Low, Medium and High—along with four rather interesting special modes:
- Camp Mode (for those scenic Instagram moments),
- Pet Mode (because your dog deserves climate control too),
- Wash Mode (self-explanatory, thankfully),
- Valet Mode (to protect your settings and dignity).
Safety is taken seriously with 7 airbags, ESC, traction control, hill start assist, ISOFIX mounts, a 360-degree camera, TPMS and more acronyms than a government circular.
You can also control a scary number of things via the smartphone app—doors, windows, AC, boot, location, geo-fencing, time-fencing, intrusion alerts and OTA updates. Basically, if your phone battery dies, you may feel more anxious than if the car’s battery does.
Performance & Range: Calm, Confident, Quick Enough
The VF 6 is front-wheel drive and comes with two motor tunes, both paired to a 59.6 kWh lithium-ion battery.
- The more powerful version produces 201 hp and 310 Nm, does 0–100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, tops out at 175 km/h, and offers a claimed 463 km range.
- The other version makes 174 hp and 250 Nm, hits 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds, tops out at 150 km/h, and actually claims a slightly higher 468 km range.
Either way, performance is smooth, silent and stress-free. It’s not trying to be a hot hatch in disguise; instead, it delivers effortless urban acceleration and relaxed highway cruising—exactly what most Indian EV buyers want.
Charging is equally sensible. A 3.3 kW charger comes with the car, while a 7.2 kW AC charger can juice it up to 90% in about 5 hours. Plug it into a 100 kW DC fast charger, and you’ll get 60% in just 25 minutes—roughly the time it takes to argue about where to eat.
Ownership & Warranty: VinFast Playing the Long Game
VinFast clearly understands that trust matters in India. The VF 6 comes with a 10-year / 2 lakh km battery warranty and 7-year / 2 lakh km vehicle warranty. Add to that free charging till July 2028 and 3 years of free maintenance, and suddenly the ownership proposition looks very convincing.
Assembly takes place in India and Vietnam, further reinforcing VinFast’s long-term intent rather than a “test-the-waters” approach.
Verdict: A Sensible EV with a Surprisingly Fun Personality
The VinFast VF 6 doesn’t try to overwhelm you with gimmicks—although it does come dangerously close with its feature list. Instead, it offers a well-balanced package: modern design, strong range, solid performance, top-tier safety and an ownership plan that inspires confidence.
It may be new, it may be Vietnamese, and yes, you may still be learning how to pronounce VinFast correctly—but one thing is clear: the VF 6 is not here to make up numbers. It’s here to compete, politely smile, and then quietly impress you… while charging for free till 2028.
