Safety – Ewing VinFast of Plano

March 20, 2025March 21, 2025

Autoweek Gets Behind the Wheel of the VinFast VF9

The VinFast VF9 is just starting to arrive at Ewing VinFast of Plano, which means that car journalists are also getting their chances to get behind the wheel to witness one of the first new automotive companies delivering cars to America in our lifetime. The VF9 is the latest and only true three-row EV SUV on the market, and it is already being viewed as a viable option for buyers who need a vehicle with at least six proper seats.

A Review by AutoWeek

Recently, AutoWeek had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a 2025 VF9 before it was delivered to a customer. They found the packaging and build quality quite good, which is saying a lot for a brand-new vehicle from a young car company. While the publication didn’t have a ton of time, they did have enough to take it for a good drive and sit in all of the seats while testing some of the features.

Power and Trim Levels

Even though the VF9 is brand new, VinFast has made sure to give customers a vehicle that won’t confuse or intimidate them. While most car companies offer their cars with a dozen trim levels and a thousand options, VinFast has chosen to keep it simple with just two trims for its models: the Eco and Plus. Eco will achieve 330 miles of range, with the Plus model delivering 291 miles. Both models come standard with dual motors, a 123-kWh battery, and all-wheel drive with 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. Almost every EV on the market offers a single motor with either front- or rear-wheel drive as standard, with dual motors and all-wheel drive being optional.

Unique Door Handles That Are Better Than a Tesla

Auto brands developing EVs are constantly trying to find new ways to engineer a vehicle with less aerodynamic drag. Less drag equals better range because the car is less encumbered by air resistance. This has led to the creation of pop-out handles in various fashions. One of the types that tends not to work as well are the handles on Tesla. AutoWeek immediately noticed how VinFast took a more innovative and less bothersome approach to their handles, saying, “When I went to drive the VF 9, the first thing I appreciated was the flip-out door handles. Push on one end, the handle pops out, and you open the door. It’s a clever way to reduce aerodynamic drag without resorting to Tesla’s pop-out electric door handles.”

Standard Head-Up Display

The VF9, like any modern car, features a host of technology and safety features. However, one thing VinFast ensures is standard on both the VF8 and VF9, no matter the trim, is the Head-Up Display (HUD). It’s very rare that any car, especially an EV, has this even as an option. AutoWeek was noticeably appreciative of the tech, saying, “In front of me, the head-up display was impressive, with numerous data sets available in a sharply focused, helpful display at the base of the driver’s field of view. A 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen worked well in the very brief time I had to try and sort it out. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly.”

Reasonable Performance

Modern EVs tend to focus too much on speed and performance to try and lure customers through the door. Instead of showing off the great experience they’ll have driving the car, automakers tend to convince buyers the car is great because of the speed. The VF9 is not a speed demon, but it will get out of its own way quite easily. The biggest thing is that VinFast wows with tech, safety, and a warranty that’s second to none. However, when it came time to drive the VF9 and use the power it has, the publication said, “Acceleration was more than adequate from the VF 9’s combined output of 402 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque from its dual electric motors … VinFast lists a 0-62 mph time of 6.6 seconds for the Eco trim and 6.7 for the PLUS. Top speed is 124 mph (which I didn’t verify).”

Sony RIDEVU

One of the single best things about the VF9 is the inclusion of Sony RIDEVU. Sony Pictures Entertainment and VinFast have partnered to bring RIDEVU to VinFast customers free of charge. This gives occupants the ability to watch 2,000 different Sony-owned movies and TV shows either on the main 15.6-inch infotainment screen when the vehicle is in park, or on any device that is attached to the in-car WiFi system. There are also six standard USB-A ports with one 90-watt USB-C port, which means two per row. When captain’s chairs are optioned, passengers will find two extra USB-A ports in the center console.

Amazing Safety Features

Safety is the name of the game these days, as well it should be. Cars are getting bigger, faster, and more usable. It makes sense that they protect occupants as much as possible. The VF9 offers tons of standard safety features such as 11 airbags, along with Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Centering Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Automatic Emergency Braking, Intelligent Speed Recognition, Traffic Sign Recognition, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection, Door Opening Warning, Front Automatic Emergency Braking, Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Front Parking Assist, Rear Parking Assist, backup camera, Automatic High Beam, and a 360-degree Surround View Camera system.

The Best Warranty in the World

Probably the single most significant aspect of the VF9 is its warranties. While most EVs carry a five—or ten-year warranty for the car and battery system, the VinFast VF8 and VF9 are the only vehicles with a 10-year, 125,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty. This provides the ultimate peace of mind to anyone buying their first VinFast.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast

At Ewing VinFast of Plano, we have the best prices on dozens of new VinFast EVs and used cars. Our well-educated sales staff and finance department will happily assist you with your EV questions and needs. Our fantastic service department will ensure your vehicle stays in the best condition.

We look forward to serving you.

March 15, 2025March 21, 2025

Getting Your House Ready for Home Charging

Buying your first electric vehicle is like having your first child, meaning it’s all about the preparation. Okay, so maybe it’s not exactly like having a child, but it can make some people nervous. For instance, when buying a traditional car with an internal combustion engine (ICE), you don’t think twice about where you’re going to fill it up with gas. However, with your first VinFast it is best to have a home charger installed. Below is information on how to get yourself and your home ready for your first charger.

Why It’s Best to Charge at Home

You may be thinking, “Why should I worry about charging my VinFast at home when I can charge it at a public charger?” Simply put, charging your car at home saves time, money, and is also smarter your battery’s overall health. Since chargers like the VinFast Home Chargers are smart, they can charge slowly overnight and charge your car for when you leave in the morning. When it comes to saving money, charging at home in Plano, Texas, will cost you about 13.9 cents per kWh according to MarketWatch. This means that charging from about 50% every night when you get home from work will only add about $5 or so per nightly charge.

Finding the Right Electrician

The first step is to look for a local electrician that will give you an estimate. Going about this process can be daunting, so the best way to find someone is to ask friends and family who they have used in the past. It’s also not a bad idea to get a few different consultations to check price, availability, and reviews.

Potentially Upfitting Your Breaker Box

It is important that your home be ready with at least a 200-amp breaker box, which is pretty standard for newer homes. Some houses may have a 100- or 150-amp breaker box, which would mean you should contact a professional electrician to talk about potentially upfitting your home to be sure it can handle the extra needs of the charger for your VinFast VF8 or VF9.

How to Know What Amperage Your Breaker Box Is and How It Can Be Upgraded

You can safely and easily check to see what the amperage is of your home breaker box by opening your master breaker panel door and checking the top switch that turns the entire system on and off. The switch will say either 100, 150, 200, or 400. If an electrician needs to upgrade your box, he will first contact the electric company to turn off the power to your home. Then the electrician will change out the wiring that goes from the outdoor meter socket into the home, installing a new meter socket that will be either 200 or 400 amps, and then changing the breaker box in your home. After that, he will connect the wiring up and get the power turned back on to your home.

Reorganizing Your Garage to Accommodate Your New Charger

When you do choose a qualified electrician, he will install a Level 2 240-volt that will be able to easily charge your battery overnight. Now it’ll be time to make sure that your charger can go on a wall or in an area where it can easily be accessed by your VinFast. You may need to reorganize your garage and move all of your things from one side to the other. Keep in mind that the charge port for both the VF8 and VF9 is on the driver’s side fender, which will dictate whether you need to pull in or back into your garage.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast

We look forward to serving you.

March 1, 2025March 20, 2025

VF8 vs Honda Prologue

More and more buyers are comparing the VinFast VF8 to electric offerings from older, more established brands. This is because the VF8 is only a couple of years old at this point. We have looked at so many EVs up against the VF8, and so far, none of them have been able to offer more than the VinFast does for its amazing lease price, and none of them can match the warranty. With that said, let’s welcome this week’s challenger, the 2025 Honda Prologue.

The Honda Prologue is similar to the VF8 in that it is a first-time offering from Honda. Buyers can choose the Prologue in three trim levels: EX, Touring, and Elite. All models have an 85-kWh battery that delivers different power depending on the trim level. EX and Touring models come standard with single-motor front-wheel drive that puts out 212 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. If buyers choose to option their EX or Touring with all-wheel drive or spring for the AWD-only Elite trim, they will get a dual-motor setup with 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. While the top Elite trim gets 273 miles of range, the FWD EX and Touring will deliver 296 miles, which falls to 281 when equipped with AWD. Honda says that any Prologue trim level will charge from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes when using a Level 3 DC fast charger.

Honda prices the base Prologue EX FWD from $47,400, with the Touring FWD coming in at $51,700, and the Elite has a base price of $57,900. If you’d like an EX or Touring model with all-wheel drive, Honda adds an additional $3,000 to the starting price. In testing by Car and Driver, the Prologue Elite was able to get to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. They have yet to test the base models with less power, but it’s obvious they will be quite slow.

Now, we come to the familiar challenger in the red and yellow shorts (the colors of the Vietnamese flag): the VinFast VF8. There are just two trims available so that customers won’t get confused with all sorts of packages and options: the Eco and Plus. The VF8 Eco has a base price of $47,325, and the Plus trim starts at $51,800. Both VF8 trims have dual motors with 87.7-kWh batteries, giving Eco models 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque and 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque for the Plus trims. While the Honda makes AWD an option, VinFast offers it as a standard feature on all VF8 models. The EPA says drivers can expect 264 miles for Eco models and 243 miles for Plus models between charges. According to VinFast, the VF8 will reach 60 mph in just 5.9 or 5.5 seconds for the Eco and Plus, respectively. Charging times are similar to the Honda, with about 35 minutes to charge from 10-70% on a DC fast charger.

Amazingly, like the VinFast, the Prologue has a Head-Up Display (HUD). Not so amazingly, though, it’s only available on the top Elite trim, whereas the VF8 comes standard with HUD no matter which trim you choose. So, good try, Honda, but we’ll have to deduct some points for you not offering HUD as a standard safety feature that buyers need with the ever-growing number of distractions in a car. VinFast understands that anything can happen the more you take your eyes off the road to look at other screens, including for directions. With a proper Head-Up Display, every piece of information you need is right in your eyeline.

Speaking of screens, the Honda Prologue comes standard with an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen display that compares unfavorably to the VF8 with its 15.6-inch touchscreen display. While the Honda also has an 11-inch digital gauge cluster display, VinFast forgoes this as all of the information can be seen and accessed on both the infotainment screen and the standard HUD.

As always, there is one specific feature that is standard on the VF8 that you can’t get on any other EV: Sony RIDEVU. With RIDEVU, owners can watch as many as 2,000 TV shows and movies on the in-car 15.6-inch infotainment system when the car is parked. Or, if you are driving, passengers can watch content on a device connected to the in-car Wi-Fi.

Honda recommends that you tow no more than 1,500 lbs with your Prologue, making it a little difficult to travel with a camper or anything of the sort. The VF8, however, offers up to 4,000 lbs of towing ability when properly equipped, which makes the VinFast a much better option for families that enjoy a good outdoor vacation where they can bring a boat, jet skis, camper, or anything like that. It’ll be easier to tow a U-Haul if you need to move between homes, cities, or states.

Both the Honda Prologue and VinFast VF8 offer solid lease specials, however, with a twist. Buyers can lease the base EX with AWD Prologue for just $279 per month… with $3,099 due at signing. The Elite trim offers a 36-month lease for $407 a month with $3,312 due at signing. Sadly, those are just okay leasing deals. VinFast is currently offering the VF8 Eco for $279 per month for 24 months, with $974 due before you drive off. Or, if you would like the top Plus trim, that will cost just $1,024 down with a $329 monthly payment for 24 months.

When it comes to vehicle warranties, so far, no one can even come close to how good VinFast customers have it. The base, bumper-to-bumper warranty covers you for 10 years or 125,000 miles, and the battery comes with a 10-year, unlimited-mile warranty. What does Honda think is appropriate for Prologue customers? A simple 3-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Another EV bites the dust in the warranty department.

We have now seen the VinFast VF8 come out ahead of offerings from Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Genesis, Rivian, Volkswagen, BMW, Tesla, and now Honda. While these are all nice EVs, it just goes to show how hard VinFast has worked to provide a first-ever model that can compete so easily with vehicles from some of the best automotive brands in the world.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast

We look forward to serving you.

February 20, 2025February 11, 2025

What Is One-Pedal Driving in an EV and Why Does it Matter?

VinFast VF9 Driving in front of the Eiffel Tower

If you have driven a VinFast VF8 or VF9—or any other EV, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or some hybrid vehicles—you may have noticed a feature that allows you to drive with just the accelerator, meaning you rarely have to touch the brake pedal. What is this, what is it called, and why does it matter? Simply put, the feature is called one-pedal driving. Let’s take a look at why it’s good for electric cars and for you as an EV owner.

Two Pedals Become One

When you drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you obviously have two main pedals: the gas (also known as the throttle or accelerator pedal) and the brake. While electric cars like the VinFast VF8 and VF9 still have a brake pedal, as soon as you let off the throttle pedal the vehicle immediately begins to brake. Why is this? It’s because of one-pedal driving. The electric motor causes the car to slow down in this case, because it’s technically not being used to generate thrust or acceleration but instead to reverse the torque direction of the battery system.

Regenerative Braking

When your VinFast starts to slow down when you let off the accelerator, the vehicle recovers some of that energy (normally lost in conventional friction braking systems) to be reused by the battery as extra charge. This is known as regenerative, or regen, braking. Regen braking can be adjusted from low to high via the 15.6-inch infotainment display. There’s also a Creep Mode. The more regen braking, the faster the car will slow down when you let off the accelerator pedal. When the system is set to the lowest regen braking, the car will coast like a normal gas-powered car. Oh, and yes, your brake lights come on even if you don’t touch the brake pedal. At any point when you have the regen braking turned up and you let off the throttle, the brake lights will illuminate.

Adjusting the Regen Braking

How much or how little regen braking you prefer is entirely up to you as the driver. A lot of first-time EV drivers will set the regen to the lowest setting to get used to it, because it can be alarming the first time you let off the gas pedal and the car starts slowing down instead of coasting. So, it’s best to gradually ease your way into getting comfortable with the system. You may want to turn the system down in stop-and-go traffic, where coasting could be more beneficial. Turning on Creep Mode will allow your VinFast to move forward slightly when you release the brake, like in a gas-powered car.

Do You Really Need a Brake Pedal?

If you use one-pedal driving, then what is the brake for? Well, you still need to apply the brakes in emergency stopping situations, because while the car will come to a complete stop when you let off the accelerator, it will not do so with the same urgency as slamming on the brakes in a panic situation.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast

We look forward to serving you.

February 15, 2025February 11, 2025

How to Optimize and Improve Your Electric Car’s Range Overnight

Driving a VinFast VF8 and VF9 is exhilarating. Unlike a gas-powered car, an EV has an immediate surge of power and thrust as soon as you touch the throttle. Unlike a gas-powered car that has so many things that have to happen all at once to make the power and torque to move the car, an EV has a battery and a gearbox and that’s pretty much it.

Faster Than You Think

While both VinFast vehicles aren’t performance cars, they feel much faster than their 0-60 mph times show simply due to the fact that there is no lag or delay between when the throttle is pressed and when the car goes. However, while this is fun and it is addictive, you can lose range very quickly. Let’s talk about some ways that you can improve your car’s range.

Ease Up on the Throttle a Bit

Step one is simple: your foot can modulate the throttle. You don’t have to put the pedal to the metal like you’re the Bandit in Smokey and the Bandit. Your daily commute doesn’t call for a drag race at every traffic light. Gas cars and EVs are similar in this regard. While a gas car uses more fuel the more throttle it’s given, an EV uses more battery power the more you lean into the accelerator. Just chill. No one’s racing for pink slips out here.

Take the Slower Roads for Maximum Efficiency

If you don’t have a set time that you have to be somewhere, or if you leave early enough, set your route guidance to avoid highways and areas with lots of traffic. Instead, take the scenic route that allows you to drive at slower speeds rather than 55 mph and higher. This will allow your VinFast to maintain optimal range without putting much stress on the motor.

Try to Limit Your Heat Settings

Be careful not to overuse your heat settings such as heated seats, defroster, and high amounts of heat in general. If you can, run your car plugged into the charger to use the defroster, heated seats, and heater to get the car warmed up before you leave. You can even do this through the VinFast Smartphone app.

Protect Your Battery

Make sure that you are only charging your car’s battery to 70-80 percent overnight, and while you are on the road you’re only charging to 100 percent when you need the range. This is ideal for the battery’s overall health and makes sure that it isn’t being stressed during charging. But, if anything does happen to the battery and it starts to lose capacity, VinFast protects you with a ten-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty that is unlike any other EV brand on the market.

Take Care of Your Tires

Last but not least, take care of your EV’s tires. EVs can be a little harder on tires simply because of the extra weight. Make sure they are inflated to proper levels, especially with weather changes when the tires are most likely to lose some air. Having a tire that is under- or over-inflated can create more friction at certain speeds, forcing the car to work harder to gain speed.

Enjoy Your Ride

More than anything, enjoy your VinFast. It’s a car that’s been designed and engineered to make your life easier, so work with it to get the best experience for yourself and to have a long-lasting and reliable electric vehicle.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast

We look forward to serving you.