Quick reads
- A test mule of the VinFast VF 5 was recently seen near Mahalakshmi Metro Station in Bengaluru.
- The vehicle appears to be an unreleased second-generation model of the VF 5.
- It measures 3,967 mm in length, placing it directly in the highly competitive compact SUV category.
- Spy shots reveal a flatter dashboard layout and a single freestanding touchscreen.
- It will likely rival the Tata Punch EV, Tata Nexon EV, and the Mahindra XEV 3XO.
The Vietnamese carmaker VinFast is currently planning a massive push into the compact electric segment. Buyers want cars that are small enough for crowded city streets but rugged enough to handle broken roads, and one test mule that was spotted recently roaming around Bengaluru does the same. It is the VinFast VF 5, a small electric SUV known as the Herio Green in its domestic market. Interestingly, this is not the standard model sold globally right now, and the spy shots suggest it is an updated iteration that has not been showcased anywhere else.
VinFast VF 5 Design and Dimensions
The spyshots give us a very good idea of what to expect. If it is the same car from Vietnam, it would be 3,967 mm long and have a 2,514 mm wheelbase. It stands 1,579 mm tall and has a width of 1,723 mm. These numbers put it comfortably beneath the four-metre mark.
Visually, it has a more upright and traditional SUV stance, where the front section replaces the older swooping hood with a flatter clamshell bonnet. You can also spot much slimmer projector headlights peeking through the camouflage.
Moving to the rear, it gets a redesigned connected LED tail light setup. The test mule was spotted riding on basic steel wheels, which look like 16-inchers. We speculate that the production version will likely offer 17-inch alloys on higher trims as well.
VinFast VF 5 Interior Changes
The interior of this prototype shows a massive departure from the current international model. The older version uses a curvier dashboard with a two-screen setup. This new test mule appears to adopt a much flatter dashboard design. It also features a cluster-less layout, meaning it relies mostly on a single large freestanding central touchscreen for all information. A floating center console and a newly designed steering wheel complete the modern look.
VinFast VF 5 Battery and Powertrain Details
VinFast has not confirmed the official specifications for the Indian market just yet. The current international VF 5 uses a 37.23 kWh battery pack paired with an electric motor producing roughly 93 brake horsepower. This combination provides a driving range of about 260 to 326 kilometres under older testing cycles. However, since this is a completely new generation, the automaker might update the battery specs and motor to deliver a higher real-world range. That extra range is incredibly important for surviving in the Indian market.
What We Think About the VinFast VF 5
The VF 5 will slot perfectly below the larger VF 6 in the brand’s lineup. By entering the compact category, VinFast is gearing up for a direct fight with massive sellers like the Tata Punch EV. A launch is possible by the end of 2026, though the company might wait until they finish setting up their local assembly lines in Tamil Nadu. If they can keep the starting price near Rs 10 lakh, the VF 5 could disrupt the entire segment.
