VinFast VF5 Spotted Testing in India: Expected Price, Range, Features and Launch Details

Vietnamese auto giant VinFast seems to be gearing up to launch its new SUV in India, and this move could be one of the brand's biggest. That's not because it will be something exceptional, but because it will take its place in one of the most crowded sub-4-m segment. Here, I am talking about the VinFast VF5, which has recently been spotted on Indian roads wrapped in camouflage. What will the VF5 offer you? Check out all the details like expected price, range, and features below.

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Where It Was Spotted

The test vehicle was captured near the Mahalakshmi Metro Station stretch in Bengaluru, fully wrapped in camouflage yet offering enough visual cues to confirm its identity. VinFast currently retails the VF5 in select overseas markets, and in its home market of Vietnam, the same model is sold under the "Herio Green" nameplate when configured for commercial/fleet use. The unit caught testing in India appears to be an updated, second-generation version of this SUV - one that hasn't been officially unveiled or launched anywhere in the world so far.

This is a notable step for VinFast, whose Indian portfolio currently consists of the VF6, VF7 and the seven-seat VF MPV 7. To be honest, VinFast monthly volumes aren't very great - the company sold only 1,482 units in India in July 2026 and that is why a sub-4m electric SUV would give it a genuine shot at the country's high-volume mass-market EV space, a segment that has so far been dominated by the Tata Punch EV and Tata Nexon EV, with the Mahindra XUV 400 EV also fighting for a share.

Design

Even under camouflage, the silhouette gives us an idea of how the car will look like - the car will have a tall stance, a sloping D-pillar, and the overall proportions are consistent with the VF5 shape sold abroad. That said, several elements mark this out as a refreshed model rather than a straight import of the existing car:

• The bonnet has moved from a swooping design to a more upright, clamshell-type unit, giving the SUV a slightly bolder front stance.
• The headlamp units appear slimmer and more sculpted than before, though the LED daytime running lights remain hidden under wraps for now.
• Test mules were riding on basic steel wheels, likely 16-inch units, though the eventual production version is expected to move up to 17-inch alloys.
• At the back, the tail lamp graphic looks reworked, with a connected LED light bar that appears thicker toward the edges, which is a departure from the uniform strip seen on the model currently on sale overseas.
• Both bumpers and the tailgate have been redesigned, lending the car a more finished, grown-up look compared to the outgoing VF5.

Inside, spy shots hint at a cabin that's been simplified. The dashboard trades the outgoing model's curvier design for flatter, more horizontal lines built around a free-standing rectangular touchscreen and a redesigned steering wheel. A floating centre console with an integrated front armrest is also visible.

Expected Features

Going by what's been seen on the test car and VinFast's existing feature sheet for the VF5 abroad, the India-bound version could come loaded with:

• Free-standing touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone connectivity
• Fully digital driver's display (likely a TFT unit)
• Ventilated front seats
• Panoramic or single-pane sunroof
• Rear air-conditioning vents
• Multiple airbags along with ESP and traction control as standard safety fitments
• Keyless entry, automatic headlamps and a multi-speaker audio setup

Given how competitive the Punch EV and Nexon EV have made this segment on equipment, VinFast is likely to load the VF5 at its best to stand out.

Powertrain and Range: What to Expect

VinFast hasn't detailed the powertrain for this specific test mule, but the standard VF5 sold internationally offers a choice of two battery packs paired with a single front-mounted electric motor:

• A smaller battery pack rated around 29.6 kWh, good for a claimed range in the region of 260-270 km on a full charge
• A larger 37.23 kWh pack that pushes claimed range past the 320 km mark

Power output on the bigger battery version sits in the region of 130-136 bhp, which should be more than adequate for a car of this size and puts it roughly on par with rivals in its class. Whether VinFast retunes these numbers specifically for the Indian market, or brings the SUV over largely unchanged remains to be confirmed closer to launch.

Size and Practicality

The SUV's dimensions place it firmly in the sub-4m bracket that Indian buyers and tax structures favour: a length just under 4 metres, a width in the 1,720 mm range, and a wheelbase that's noticeably longer than the Tata Punch EV's, which should translate into more cabin room. Ground clearance figures floating around suggest VinFast may raise the SUV slightly for Indian road conditions, similar to what other global carmakers have done with their India-spec models.

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Expected Price and Launch Timeline

VinFast hasn't announced official India pricing for the VF5, but going by positioning and the brand's global price points for this model, we are expecting an introductory price tag in the ballpark of Rs. 14-17 lakh (ex-showroom) looks like a reasonable expectation once local assembly and market positioning are factored in placing it as a premium offering within the sub-4m electric SUV space rather than a direct value play against the Punch EV.

On timing, VinFast has been steadily working through its India product roadmap, with a stated ambition of having five EVs on sale in the country. The VF5 is expected to be one of the next cars to join that lineup with a launch window pointing toward the end of calendar year 2026, though VinFast is yet to confirm an exact date.

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