I finally got to see a Vinfast VF 3 in person and it is so cute!
For those who don’t know what the Vinfast VF 3 is, it’s a small, boxy, all-electric “mini SUV” that’s quite popular right now because of its size and quirky design.
It’s small.
Really small.
So small that it makes a 4-year old look like just the right-sized driver for it.
Yep, and my son and I keep talking about it as our possible school car.
And after seeing one in yellow, he’s gone on ahead and claimed it as his Bumblebee.
So looks like daddy might have to start saving up real hard to get him one before he outgrows his enthusiasm for it.
The first thing that you notice about the VF-3 is its size.
At just 3,190mm long, this thing is shorter than most city cars you see today. Park it next to a typical crossover and it looks like an oversized toy.
VinFast leans into this with what they call a “Tiny Titan” design.
Boxy, upright, modern, and confident.
It doesn’t try to look fast or aggressive.
In fact it looks friendly, almost playful—especially with its wide color palette.
There are youthful, trendy colors meant to let your personality shine, and I can see why younger drivers are drawn to it instantly.
My son loves that part.
He keeps pointing out different colors and saying things like, “This one looks cool, right?” That’s usually how you know a car has done something right when even a toddler can appreciate its beauty.
An EV Built for the City
Underneath that compact body is a simple but purposeful electric setup. The VF 3 uses a rear-wheel-drive electric motor producing around 30–40 horsepower (depending on market spec) and 110 Nm of torque. On paper, those numbers won’t impress anyone chasing speed—but that’s not the point.
This car is built for urban driving.
From 0 to 50 km/h in about 5.3 seconds, it feels quick where it matters most: traffic lights, tight intersections, and stop-and-go city roads. Electric torque delivery is instant, and that alone makes city driving far less stressful.
The 18.6–18.9 kWh battery offers a theoretical range of around 200–210 km, which is more than enough for daily school runs, grocery trips, and short errands. And when it’s time to charge, fast charging from 10% to 70% in about 36 minutes makes ownership more realistic—even without home charging.
Good Ground Clearance for a Small Car
Here’s something many small cars get wrong: ground clearance.
The VF 3 doesn’t.
With 191mm of ground clearance, this tiny EV can handle speed bumps, uneven roads, and the occasional “surprise” pothole without drama. For Philippine city driving, that matters more than raw horsepower.
Simple Interior
Step inside and you immediately feel the size.
This is a 2 seater. Not a 4-seater like Vinfast advertises it to be. No, because even though VinFast put rear seats, adults, even short ones will find the rear seats tight.
Up front, legroom and headroom are clearly optimized—not generous but enough for a comfortable drive.
But for what it’s designed to do, the interior makes sense.
The dashboard is clean and minimal, dominated by a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
That alone checks a huge box for modern buyers.
Physical clutter is kept to a minimum, and everything feels straightforward and usable.
Cargo space sits at around 285 liters, which is surprisingly decent for a car this small. School bags, groceries, and daily essentials fit just fine. Provided of course that you fold the rear seats because judging from what I see, it’s not big enough even for a decent sized eco bag filled with groceries.
So, does the interior feel luxurious?
No.
But is it practical?
Absolutely.
Safety Features
For an affordable EV, the VF 3 covers the basics well. You get:
- Driver airbag
- ABS
- Traction control
- Electronic stability control
- Rear parking camera and sensors
It’s not overloaded with advanced driver assistance systems, but it delivers what most city drivers actually need.
It’s Affordable
This is where the VF 3 becomes disruptive.
At around ₱750,000 in the Philippines, it enters the market as one of the most affordable brand-new electric vehicles available.
VinFast also offers flexible options—buy the car with the battery included or choose a battery subscription, where they handle maintenance and replacements if capacity drops below 70%.
Add in a seven-year vehicle warranty and up to an eight-year battery warranty, and suddenly this tiny EV feels far less risky than people expect.
Let’s be honest. The VF 3 isn’t perfect.
The steering is very light—sometimes too light.
There’s no tilt or telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel. Range is limited if you plan long trips.
Charging infrastructure still matters.
And yes, interior space will be tight for taller families.
This is not a road trip car.
This is not a “one-car-for-everything” solution.
But that’s okay—because it doesn’t pretend to be.
This is just going to be a fun school car as soon as we can afford to get it.
My Son Loves it!
My son sees the VF 3 as a fun, approachable, friendly vehicle that feels, to someone his size, not as intimidating as let’s say our current vehicle which is a Mitsubishi L200 Pickup.
As a school car, it makes sense. It’s easy to drive, easy to park, affordable to run, and electric—meaning fewer moving parts and lower maintenance stress.
It also introduces kids to the idea that cars don’t have to be loud or wasteful to be cool.
The VinFast VF 3 isn’t trying to rewrite automotive history.
What it’s doing instead is more practical—and maybe more important.
It’s making electric mobility feel reachable.
For urban dwellers, young families, first-time EV buyers, and anyone who just wants a simple, stylish city car, the VF 3 makes a strong case.
It’s tiny, yes—but it’s also smart, honest, and surprisingly charming.
And if a car can spark real conversations between a parent and a child about the future of driving?
That makes it worth paying attention to.
Tiny size.
Maximum fun.
And maybe—just maybe—our next school car.
… could this be the Volkswagen Beetle of my son’s generation?
