FIRST VINFAST VF8 ROAD TRIP! DRIVING THE WORST REVIEWED EV OVER 800 MILES WITH MODEL Y SUPPORT - PT.1

EV Channels Review

This video chronicles the initial 800-mile road trip of a leased VinFast VF8, serving as a long-term test vehicle for Out of Spec Motoring. The reviewer, Francy, highlights the VF8's significant shortcomings, particularly concerning charging performance and connectivity issues. Charging speeds were consistently slow, often below 30-40 kW, even at Electrify America stations, and the vehicle struggled with battery preconditioning in cold weather, leading to extended charging stops. Connectivity problems, including issues with the VIN and data services, further hampered the experience, preventing navigation-based preconditioning. While the driver assistance features were noted as a positive, offering smooth lane centering and adaptive cruise control, they were sometimes interrupted by the monitoring system. The reviewer contrasts this with the Tesla Model Y, which served as a support vehicle, demonstrating superior efficiency, faster charging, and more reliable navigation and preconditioning. The VF8's range was deemed adequate but hampered by slow charging, making the overall road trip experience less efficient and more time-consuming compared to established EVs like the Model Y. The video concludes that while the VF8 has potential, particularly in its driver assistance, it requires significant improvements in charging infrastructure integration, software reliability, and overall user experience to be competitive.