Vietnamese electric automaker VinFast’s VF8 e-SUV achieved four out of five stars in Euro NCAP’s stringent crash test.
Notably, it marks the first time a recognized safety organization has tested the VinFast VF8 since its market launch. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have yet to evaluate the safety of the Vietnamese electric SUV.
Crash test results
The Euro NCAP released the crash test results of the VinFast VF8, revealing the following scores:
- Adult Occupants – 76%
- Child Occupants – 89%
- Vulnerable Road Users – 77%
- Safety Assist Systems – 79%
According to the comprehensive safety report, Euro NCAP indicated that the VinFast VF8 ensures “good” protection for drivers and front passengers’ knees and femurs in the front impact test.
Impressively, the VF8 gained the maximum points in the child occupant protection category. Based on the results of the frontal offset and side barrier tests, the model delivered good protection to critical body parts.
It performed well in the safety assist category, with the exception of the auto brake system failing when approaching another vehicle head-on. Its lane support system also proved to be useful as it corrected the path when shifting out of the lane.
Tesla Model Y comparison
VinFast VF8’s 4-star score essentially dropped its position behind strong rivals like the Tesla Model Y.
True enough, the VF8 experienced Euro NCAP’s new, stricter testing protocol for 2023. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y scored five stars in last year’s testing process.
Nonetheless, the small print proved that the VinFast VF8 remains inferior compared to the safety of Tesla’s electric crossover. For context, here is the comparison:
| Categories | VF8 | Model Y |
| Adult Occupants | 76% | 97% |
| Child Occupants | 89% | 87% |
| Vulnerable Road Users | 77% | 82% |
| Safety Assist Systems | 79% | 98% |
Room for improvement
Euro NCAP observed that the VF8’s dashboard structures increase the risk of injury to passengers of varying sizes and sitting positions.
In addition, the crash-testing organization indicated that the vehicle deployed the driver’s knee airbag in an unusual way that “provided no protection to the inboard leg, attracting a further penalty.”
More alarmingly, the after-crash deformable barrier test evaluation suggested that “the VF8 would be a somewhat aggressive impact partner in a frontal collision.”
All that said, VinFast needs to exert more effort to improve the safety of its vehicles to effectively compete with Tesla’s cutting-edge safety systems. It is also worth noting that the first cars to score five stars using the Euro NCAP’s updated testing procedure were NIO ET5 and EL7. Now, VinFast must strive harder to ensure that the next model to undergo the stringent test can match the performance of its strongest rivals.
