VinFast VF7 vs Tesla Model Y: Which One Wins?

Tesla has been a known presence in the EV market for a number of years. The auto manufacturer produces popular EVs that also pack together cutting-edge technology and performance. Recent years have seen the emergence of other viable EVs produced by newcomers and established manufacturers alike. Vietnamese startup VinFast is one such venture, and their VF7 is taking a direct shot at the Tesla Model Y.

How do these two EVs stack up against each other? Tesla has set the gold standard for EVs, but competition is always good for the marketplace. Let’s take a look at the specs, performance, and overall fit and finish of these two vehicles to see which one is the better fit for you.

VinFast VF7 vs Tesla Model Y: Side-by-Side Comparison

VinFast VF7 vs Tesla Model Y: What’s the Difference?

Concrete details about the VinFast VF7 are currently scant, as the EV hasn’t entered full production just yet. The details available make it easy to draw comparisons to current production vehicles. VinFast has taken care to make sure the most crucial elements of the vehicle are known.

Performance

The Tesla Model Y strikes a fine balance between power and range. 330 miles of operational range on a full charge gives it an edge over its competitors, and the 384 horsepower is nothing to sneer at.

The Tesla Model Y is a nimble vehicle, with plenty of power to spare on the highway. Tesla has had plenty of time to hone the performance of the Model Y.

By comparison, the VinFast VF7 doesn’t offer as much power or range on tap. The 201 horsepower on offer from the VF7 is more than enough for city and highway driving. This is doubly true for its niche as a crossover SUV, where race track performance isn’t needed.

Autonomous features greatly vary between the two vehicles as well. Tesla has made great strides to embrace and advance the technologies driving autonomous driving, and this is reflected in its safety features.

Tesla’s AutoPilot allows the vehicle to take the lead, employing a variety of sensors and imaging to make driving a safer experience. VinFast VF7 only offers up highway assistance, and there seems to be no support for things like lane keep assists.

Given the price point, this isn’t entirely surprising, but similar vehicles in the same price range offer up more robust safety features.

User Interface

Both vehicles forego a traditional instrument panel layout to rely on a larger infotainment screen. At the center of both vehicles resides a large tablet-like device that serves as both an entertainment suite and the primary means for gathering information on the performance of the vehicle.

Tesla has employed a fairly intuitive design in the interface of their Model Y’s infotainment panel. The operating system is quick to navigate and the UI itself is user-friendly.

Details are scant regarding the actual user experience behind the VinFast VF7’s infotainment panel. With the infotainment panel acting as the central hub for controlling the vehicle, one can only hope VinFast is taking special efforts to make sure the interface is intuitive.

Comparable vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.4 suffer from a subpar user experience. But, hopefully, VinFast can provide a usable operating system that isn’t hindered by questionable design choices.

Charging

VinFast uses the standard SAE J1772 connector for charging. This is a universal charger type that allows for compatibility across a wide swath of chargers across the entirety of the United States. Tesla’s Model Y can use these charging stations as well, but Tesla EVs have their own proprietary connector.

Tesla Superchargers are plentiful across the United States, thankfully. The Model Y can also use standard charging stations, with the use of an adapter. This isn’t a huge additional expense and opens up quite a bit of flexibility that isn’t solely reliant on Tesla’s charging infrastructure.

The edge honestly goes towards VinFast, as the J1772 connector allows for charging at far more locations, and the presence of DCFC charging stations is steadily growing.

Pricing and Availability

The Tesla Model Y is in full production and has a suggested retail price of $53,490 directly from the manufacturer. The availability of the Model Y is quite excellent, and prospective customers will have no issues locating their own.

The VinFast VF7 has yet to enter production, but the projected MSRP for the basic trim model places it at an estimated $37,000 for the basic trim package. This places it well below the Tesla Model Y in pricing and poises it closer to the Chevy Bolt EUV in terms of affordability. The VinFast VF7 has more amenities in the base package than Chevy’s offering but pales in comparison to the Tesla Model Y.

The Model Y does present a decent value for its retail price. Tesla’s EV is packed with tech, and the driving experience has been the gold standard of EVs for some time. Fit and finish are where the Tesla falters, thanks in part to looser quality assurance measures.

VinFast VF7 vs Tesla Model Y: 6 Must-Know Facts

1. VinFast VF7 is not available for preorder; reservations are only extended toward VF8 and VF9 models.
2. VinFast VF7 seats five passengers in the Eco and Plus time packages.
3. VinFast VF7 is the most affordable model offered by VinFast.
4. Tesla Model Y is one of the fastest-accelerating EVs on the market.
5. Tesla Model Y seats five passengers in all trim packages available.
6. Tesla Model Y doesn’t follow the yearly refresh cycle that’s typical of other vehicles.

VinFast VF7 vs Tesla Model Y: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Choose?

Vehicle shopping is always a daunting task. The Tesla Model Y is available for purchase currently, whereas the VinFast VF7 has yet to enter the US market in full. Tesla’s EV offers up great performance, smart tech, and a host of other features which have defined their automotive line for some time.

While the VinFast VF7 may lack power and range, it provides great value for those looking to purchase their first EV. Time will tell if the VF7 stacks up favorably against its competitors, but morsels of information released point it in a different direction than similar vehicles in the same price range.

For those who can’t wait, the Tesla Model Y is a great choice. For those on a budget and who are a bit patient, it’s definitely worth waiting to see how the VinFast VF7 stacks against the competition.