VinFast VF8 – Page 2 – Ewing VinFast of Plano

December 15, 2024December 18, 2024

Alternative Charging Apps

VinFast has worked hard to provide customers with an excellent mobile app that allows owners to schedule and monitor vehicle maintenance, approve vehicle repairs, check the charging status of their VF8 or VF9, and plan a trip with scheduled stops for charging, among other useful features. One feature that seems to elude most manufacturers of other electric vehicles is the ability to use just one app to pay for charging at any station in America. However, VinFast has easily figured this out and provided it to customers in the VinFast mobile app.

The VinFast Mobile App

While the VinFast mobile app is a great all-in-one accompaniment to your VinFast, there are good reasons to ensure that you have other charging apps downloaded just in case. For instance, there could be a network or server outage where the VinFast app has an issue when paying at the pump. While this is unlikely, it is nice to have a backup plan just in case. Below are some other apps that can handle finding charging stations and payment with various pros and cons.

Some of the Different Charging Companies

Each charging station company, such as Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint, etc., all have their own apps that may even offer discounts if you choose to pay for a low monthly membership to use the chargers. This could be helpful if you live, work, or run a lot of errands near one of the major charger brand stations.

PlugShare Mobile App

One app that all EV owners should download and utilize is PlugShare, which not only shows you the locations of all charging stations, including Tesla Superchargers, but also provides user data with reviews and photos of each station to help you avoid areas that are always busy, have inoperable chargers, and the like. On both iOS and Google, the app has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. The app also allows you to connect your credit card information to pay at any station quickly and easily. As one of the five-star reviews says, “Last month’s round trip between east coast and Kansas was our first … Being able to map out entire 1500 mile northern and southern routes, planning for adequate charging and our overnight stops was pretty easy and confidence building.” However, it’s not all wine and roses for PlugShare. As one reviewer said, “Used this for a trip from LA to San Fran. I’d say the best way to use plugshare is to open Google Maps first and figure out in which city you want to make a stop, then go in plugshare and search that city. The trip planner is a good idea but needs work.”

ChargePoint Mobile App

ChargePoint is the largest EV charging network in the world. In the United States alone, there are more than 30,000 stations with about 50,000 Level 2 and Level 3 DC fast chargers. The app reviews are good, averaging 4.5 out of 5 on iOS and Google devices. One reviewer says, “ChargePoint is a great service and they did a great job with this app—so much so that I bought a home EV charger from them. The app makes it pretty easy to find and monitor charging stations … The home charger integration works seamlessly allowing you to control charging times and even choose from multiple utility rates (or set manually) to track spending.” On the not-so-positive side, though, multiple users have complained that the app has been buggy due to recent updates with their personal home ChargePoint chargers.

EVgo Mobile App

Another large charging company, EVgo, has its own app that assists EV drivers in finding their respective chargers. The app has an average rating of 4.2 stars for iPhone users and 4.6 for Android users. While users seem to enjoy the app, they don’t like that the chargers seem unable to work without the app. Also, sometimes, the chargers themselves are down for maintenance issues, which the app does not seem to fully disclose when drivers are on their way to a station. It seems VinFast owners should probably steer clear of EVgo in general until the user experience improves.

Electrify America Mobile App

Electrify America is one of the largest networks that aims to try and give EV owners a good, non-Tesla Supercharger experience. While they have fallen short of that over the years, the company has dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars to updating and upgrading their charging system to make the chargers more reliable for owners. The app has a cumulative 4.7 stars on the Apple App Store and 4.6 on the Google Play Store. With over 4,000 Level 3 DC fast chargers across America, they offer drivers the ability to drive cross-country or from state to state without having to wait forever to charge their vehicle from 105 to 70 or 80%. The app allows you to track your charging status and will even notify you if you are waiting for a charger at a busy station. However, users complain that the app is confusing and convoluted. Some even say that the app will let you know that your vehicle is charging, and then minutes later, they say there’s a charging error, except the car is still charging. So, obviously, there are some kinks.

The VinFast App Seems to Reign Supreme

While it is important to check out the other EV charging apps to ensure you have all of the information you can get about stations and overall networks as you drive around, especially in unfamiliar areas, it seems that some of these apps lack usability. That’s why it’s essential to use the VinFast mobile app as the primary way to charge your vehicle at stations, along with the other apps as backups, just in case. Everyone must remember that EVs are still relatively new, and the charging networks, while not perfect, are getting better at a quicker rate than before. Although, patience is key.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast of Plano

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.

November 20, 2024November 25, 2024

VF8 vs VF9: Which Is Best for You?

VinFast is quickly making strides to provide electric vehicles for enthusiasts and first-time EV customers with two excellent options for those looking for a variety of SUV sizes. The VF8 is the smaller yet more cost-conscious vehicle in the range, while the VF9 is a larger vehicle that not only comfortably seats up to eight people but also offers a bit more for the extra money you’re spending. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers to see which one is truly the best fit for you.

The VF9

As mentioned before, the VF9 Eco is an 8-passenger EV SUV. However, it does have the option to seat seven when buying the top-of-the-line Plus trim level. Plus models feature second-row captain’s chairs for extra comfort for rear passengers. VinFast says that Eco models will give owners 330 miles of driving range, and the Plus model offers 291 miles. With such a good range, the VF9 is able to compete well against both gas and electric SUVs alike. Both models come standard with dual motors, a 123-kWh battery, and all-wheel drive with 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque.

The VF8

VF8 is also available in just two trims to keep the confusion and guessing game out of buying your VinFast. Eco trim levels have a base price of $47,325, and the Plus trim starts from $51,800. Both trims have dual motors with 87.7-kWh batteries that give Eco models 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, and 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque for the Plus trims. This is a very healthy amount of power and torque, giving customers plenty of get-up-and-go while not having so much horsepower that it wastes battery usage. VinFast says the VF8 can get from 0-60 mph in just 5.9 seconds with the Eco and 5.5 in the Plus. The EPA says drivers can expect 264 miles for Eco models and 243 miles for Plus models between charges.

Charging Times for Both Vehicles

When it comes to charging times, both offer fast charging, whether at home or on the go. For owners charging at a Level 3 DC fast charger, the VF8 will go from 10% to 70% charge in just 31 minutes, while the VF9 takes a tad longer at 35 minutes for the same percentage.

The VinFast Home Charger

Most buyers will be charging their cars at home, and VinFast even offers its own charger that can be purchased for $599 and easily installed by a qualified professional. The charger features a max power of 12kW, or 240 volts and 50 amps. The VinFast charger gives owners the flexibility of using WiFi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet to connect to the charger and monitor the vehicle’s state of charge. Using the VinFast mobile app, the vehicle’s state of charge can be tracked easily from anywhere. As a Level 2 charger, the VinFast Home Charger is eight times faster than plugging the vehicle into a standard 120-volt wall outlet.

Interior Capacities

Both vehicles are good-sized crossover SUVs and have plenty of space for either a single household, people with pets, young families, or families that are bursting at the seams with kids and stuff. The 2024 VF8 features 13.2 cu-ft of space behind the second row of seats and 48.4 when they’re folded, and 2.7 cubes of space in the front trunk or frunk. Since the VF9 can seat up to eight people, it obviously has a bit more room and capacity. With the third row in place, customers will have 7.48 cu.ft. of trunk space and 32.7 cu.ft. with the third row folded.

Infotainment and One-of-a-Kind Entertainment

The VF8 and VF9 each offer customers a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with a standard Head-Up Display (HUD). As you may have seen in our comparisons between the VF8 and other EVs on the market, the HUD seems to be an option that most automakers don’t seem to find important because only a couple of different vehicles even have a HUD as an option, with most not featuring the technology at all. Something else that other automakers can’t say their vehicle has is Sony RIDEVU. Sony Pictures Entertainment provides RIDEVU as a way of giving VinFast customers 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.

Leasing Specials and Warranties

No matter which vehicle is best for you, both offer good lease specials to entice new buyers. You can walk into Ewing VinFast of Plano right now and lease a VF8 Eco for just $199 per month for 36 months with $0 down and 10,000 miles per year, or for just $249 per month, you can get the top-of-the-line Plus trim. The Vietnamese electric car manufacturer is offering the VF9 to customers for just $529 per month with $2,000 down on a 24-month lease. Don’t forget that VinFast also offers the absolute best warranty for any EV or non-EV on the market, with a 10-year, 125,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty.

Why Choose Ewing VinFast of Plano

We look forward to serving you.

November 5, 2024November 21, 2024

VinFast VF8 Versus Genesis GV60

Well, folks, it’s that time again where we dive in and take a look at a rival of the new and hot VinFast VF8. This time we are going through the 2024 Genesis GV60. Does it have any secrets that it doesn’t want us to know? Like the VF8, it too is a brand new, first-generation electric vehicle.

The Genesis GV60 Is Welcomed to the Ring

The Genesis GV60 comes in four different flavors, including Standard RWD, Standard AWD, Advanced AWD, and Performance AWD. The Standard RWD car features a single rear-mounted motor with 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft, with an estimated range of 294 miles. The Standard AWD has dual motors that produce 314 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque and can drive up to 264 miles. The Advanced AWD trim can drive 248 miles and has the same exact power and torque as the Standard AWD GV60. Finally, there is the Performance AWD that has 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque with an estimated range of 235 miles. The GV60 can only tow 2,000 pounds, which is less than the 4,000 pounds that the VinFast is able to tow.

Ridiculous Pricing

For 2024 the Standard RWD has a base MSRP of $53,700—more than the price of a fully loaded top-of-the-line VinFast VF8 Plus trim. Also, something that’s very odd: the GV60 comes in eight different colors—and seven of them cost $650 extra. The only free color for any of the trim levels is Alta White. Even the top-of-the-line Performance AWD that starts at $71,250 forces you to pay for any color other than Alta White. How weird is that?

Enter the Reining Champ, the VF8

So, as previously mentioned, the base Genesis is more costly than the fully loaded price of the VF8. The VinFast is available in just two trims to keep the confusion and guessing game out of buying your VF8. 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 that give Eco models 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque and 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque for the Plus trims. Also, unlike the Genesis, and most other EVs, the VinFast comes standard with all-wheel drive. The EPA says drivers can expect 264 miles for Eco models and 243 miles for Plus models between charges. While some of the GV60 trims are clearly more performance-oriented, the VF8 isn’t exactly slow. It will get to 60 mph in just 5.9 or 5.5 seconds for the Eco and Plus, respectively.

Interior and Frunk Space

When it comes to interior space, the VF8 features 13.2 cu-ft of space behind the second row of seats and 48.4 when they’re folded. The Genesis, however, wins this battle with 24 cu-ft behind the second row and 54.7 cu-ft with the rear seats folded. But, the VinFast makes up for that with 2.7 cu-ft of space in the front trunk, or frunk area. The GV60 has just 0.7 cu-ft. This also shows something else that’s interesting. The Genesis has 10.8 more cubes of space behind the rear seats, but only 6.3 when the rear seats are folded? That means that Genesis has some inefficiencies when it comes to the interior layout’s usable space.

Leasing a VinFast Is Way More Cost Effective

No matter what you think of the Genesis GV60, it falls through the floor when you compare price and value. Buyers can walk into Ewing VinFast of Plano right now and lease a VF8 Eco for just $199 per month for 36 months with $0 down and 10,000 miles per year. For only $249 per month, you can get the top-of-the-line Plus trim. Oh, and VinFast offers a 10-year, 125,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with a 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty. You can still lease the GV60, of course, but it will cost you $721 per month for 36 months, with $0 down. Or, if you put down $5,999, you can save a little bit of money and only pay $646 per month for the same terms as the VinFast. Worse yet, Genesis only offers a 5-year, 60,000-mile standard warranty with an extra 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain/battery warranty.

Perception Clouds Your Judgement

Let’s be real for a second. Can the Genesis GV60 really be so good that you would be willing to pay over three times more per month than for the VinFast? Is it worth it? I have to tell you, I have never walked into a store and asked to be charged more just because I thought the product might be better. If someone tells you that a ribeye steak is priced higher than chuck because it’s inherently better, he or she is either lying to you or just doesn’t know how to cook meat. Any good chef will tell you that, when prepared properly, a good cut of chuck can absolutely rival any other expensive piece of meat you have ever enjoyed. Perception is what drives us to think about value. VinFast doesn’t feel the need to overcharge you for a perception.

We look forward to serving you.

November 1, 2024November 20, 2024

Steps for Having a Home Charger Installed

Having a home charger installed is one of the first steps a new electric vehicle owner should take, and with the VinFast Home Charger, the process can be much simpler. Many EVs are being sold to first-time buyers, and that can potentially lead to new owners becoming overwhelmed with learning what kind of home charger they should buy.

An Affordable Option for Home Charging

For just $599, the Home Charger takes the pressure off new buyers trying to find the right charger to install in their homes. The VinFast charger meets the demanding certifications of NEMA 4 (a type of weatherproof case), UL, CSA, EnergyStar, and FCC regulations.

Plenty of Power and Features

With 12kW, or 240 volts and 50 amps, of max power, the charger will have no issues charging any new VinFast model. It also gives owners the flexibility of using WiFi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet to connect to the charger and monitor the vehicle’s state of charge. Using the VinFast mobile app, the vehicle’s state of charge can be tracked easily from anywhere. As a Level 2 charger, the VinFast Home Charger is eight times faster than plugging the vehicle into a standard 120-volt wall outlet.

A Simple Way to Charge

Each charger features the industry standard SAE J1772 connector, otherwise known as the Type 1 connector, and has a 25-foot cable for easy charging no matter where the charger is placed. The front of the charger has a large LED screen that allows users to see charging information when their vehicle is plugged in.

Easy Installation Process

Thanks to a partnership with Qmerit, the home charger can be easily installed by a qualified professional. After completing a brief survey about the home where the charger will be located, an estimate will be sent soon after that, and an installer will contact the owner to set a date. It’s really that simple.

Warranty and Future Features

All VinFast Home Chargers come with a one-year warranty, and soon, owners will be able to schedule charging, start and stop the charger remotely, and track electricity consumption through the mobile app.

We look forward to serving you.

October 15, 2024October 31, 2024

VinFast VF8 Versus Mercedes-Benz EQB

In our ongoing series that compares the VinFast VF8 to the electric crossover’s various competitors, it has become clear that while they are attractive and offer nice features, these competitors are more expensive. So far, we have seen the VF8 make the Volkswagen ID.4 and Rivian R1S appear lacking when it comes to price versus everyday tech features. This week, we are taking a look at the Mercedes-Benz EQB SUV.

Mercedes-Benz Trim Levels, Pricing, and Battery

The Mercedes-Benz comes in three different flavors for buyers: the EQB 250+, 300 4MATIC, and 350 4MATIC. All models feature a 70.5kWh battery that allows the 250 to have a driving range of 251 miles, while the 300 and 350 models can go 205 and 207 miles, respectively, between charges. The EQB starts at $54,200 for the 250+, the 300 4MATIC has a base price of $58,350, and the 350 4MATIC starts at $62,000. All three models exceed the prices of the two VF8 trim levels, but more on that later.

EQB Battery System, Power, and Performance

The front-wheel drive EQB 250+ has a front-mounted asynchronous motor (ASM) that gives the crossover 188 horsepower and 284 lb-ft of torque. The all-wheel drive 300 and 350 4MATIC feature a front-mounted asynchronous motor (ASM) with a rear permanently excited synchronous motor. The 300 produces 225 horsepower and 288 lb-ft of torque, while the 350 puts out 288 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes-Benz says the EQB 250+ can get from 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds, with the 300 and 350 needing only 7.6 and 5.8 seconds, respectively.

How Does the VF8 Do Against the Benz?

How does the VinFast VF8 stack up to the Mercedes-Benz? Well, you won’t be shocked to hear that it compares quite favorably. The VF8 Eco has a base price of $47,325, and the Plus trim starts at $51,800. Unlike the Mercedes-Benz, all models feature standard all-wheel drive and have a larger 87.7kWh battery, giving the Eco model 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, and 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque for the Plus trim. The EPA says the Eco can be driven up to 264 miles and the Plus 243 miles between charges. Even though the VF8 isn’t a speed demon by any means, the Vietnamese crossover is not slow. The VF8 will get to 60 mph in just 5.9 or 5.5 seconds for the Eco and Plus.

HUD Comes Standard

Believe it or not, the EQB is the first car in these comparison tests that has a Head-Up Display (HUD) system. However, whereas VinFast offers a HUD as standard equipment on all VF8 and VF9 models, the EQB 250+ can be optioned with the feature for an additional $2,800, which then forces you to add the AMG Night Package for an extra $3,250. One important safety feature will cost buyers an extra $6,050 to option, which takes the EQB 250+ from $54,200 to $60,250.

The Best Lease Offers and Warranty Anywhere Around

Buyers can further get ahead of the Mercedes-Benz by leasing the VF8 Eco for just $199 per month for 36 months with $0 down and 10,000 miles per year. For only $249 per month, you can get the top of the line Plus trim. Oh, and VinFast offers a 10-year, 125,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with a 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty. Mercedes-Benz only offers a 4-year, 50,000-mile standard warranty with an extra 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.

Go Test Drive Both at Ewing Dealerships

However, don’t just read what has been written here. Make your own decision by going to Ewing Mercedes-Benz of Plano and Ewing VinFast of Plano to test drive both vehicles back-to-back and pick the vehicle that best suits your wants and needs.

We look forward to serving you.