One of the last times we looked at the Rivian R1S, it was up against the VinFast VF8, and it didn’t go so well for the Rivian. Now, though, with the addition of the VF9 to the VinFast lineup, we’re going to use the Rivian one more time to show just how great the VinFast line of EVs is.
Meet The Rivian
One of the problems with modern automakers, except for VinFast, is their reliance on too many different trim levels to offer customers a little bit of everything in a different package. The Rivian R1S is no different, as it comes in five different trim levels: The Adventure Dual Standard, Adventure Dual LaMax, and Ascend Quad Max. There is a range of horsepower and torque numbers, from 533 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque for the base model, 850 horsepower and 1,103 lb-ft of torque, to 1,025 horses and 1,198 torque. The base model Dual Standard has a dual motor with all-wheel drive with a 92.5 kWh battery. Does an SUV really need that much power and torque to be any good?
Meet The VF9
Because VinFast believes in simplicity, the VF9 is available in just two trim levels, Eco and Plus. Eco models have 330 miles of driving range, and Plus models offer 291 miles, which means that as a larger, 3-row SUV, the VF9 can compete with some of the best electric and gas-powered vehicles. Both models come standard with dual motors, a 123 kWh battery pack, and all-wheel drive with 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. So there is plenty of power, but not an obscene amount that makes no sense in a family vehicle. Unlike most SUVs on the market, the VF9 comes standard with a Head-Up Display (HUD), so drivers never have to take their eyes off the road to see navigation information, range, music, and more.
Amazing Standard Features
Whether you buy or lease the VF9 Eco or Plus, both trim levels offer a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen display that comes with Sony RIDEVU. RIDEVU allows passengers in the VF9 to watch 2,000 different Sony-owned movies and TV shows either on the main infotainment screen when the vehicle is in park or on any device that is on the in-car WiFi. There are 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.
The VinFast Has More Than the Rivian
Shockingly, the Rivian R1S cannot be optioned with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, nor does it have a head-up display. So, for nearly $80,000, what are you really paying for? It certainly doesn’t seem like a bargain or even made with the customer in mind. The VF9 starts from $69,800 and comes with all of those things… standard.
The VF9 Has Second-To-None Safety Features
When it comes to safety, the 2025 VinFast VF9 comes standard with an impressive array of safety features, including 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. All VinFast VF9 models feature 11 airbags as standard safety equipment.
The Final Verdict
So, what’s the verdict here? Well, once again, VinFast proves that they have been looking at the market and seeing what customers truly want. They seem to have their finger more on the pulse by engineering and producing electric vehicles that are not difficult to justify, don’t cost an arm and a leg, and have every modern feature that every other brand has, with quite a few features that the more prominent, more established brands don’t have. The Rivian R1S has a 4-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with an 8-year, 120,000-150,000-mile battery warranty. The mileage varies depending on the configuration of your R1S. The VF9 has a 10-year, 125,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with a 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty. It seems the decision is easy.
Why You Should 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.