Here's why the VinFast VF 6 can be your perfect first car

Not so long ago, cars sat on the sidelines of a car buying discussion. They were more experimental than a sure-shot choice. And only a few braved their hard-earned money on them. That’s changing quickly. EVs are increasingly becoming an active part of the conversation. And truth be told, they definitely should. Range has increased to rival ICE cars, charging times have come down, the charging network has multiplied around the country and the price has come down to a digestible level. Still, for those stepping into it for the first time, it can seem unusually difficult. Is the range readout reliable? Are there enough chargers? What’s the warranty like? And does it even make sense financially? Good for them, I have taken it upon myself to solve those queries, and the tool at my hand is the VinFast VF 6.

There are actually good reasons why I chose the VF 6. It sits in the mid-size SUV space, which most Indians are familiar with and prefer, promises a generous range and offers just enough technology to feel modern without overwhelming you with screens and menus. A really good mixture of everything a car actually needs.

Let’s begin with the biggest question – range. Most EVs nowadays boast a good enough range for a week. The VF 6 shines here – 468km on the ARAI cycle from its 59.6kWh battery. Plenty for the entire week, your family shopping easy switch Buying your first car can be a daunting process, more so when it’s an EV. Here’s a quick guide to clear the confusion and put your fears to rest by trips, your child’s park visits, and a weekend off with friends. When you need to charge again, an overnight charging cycle will fill it back up to 100 per cent. That brings me to the next question – what about road trips? For that, you simply need to plan well. Several third-party mobile apps provide live updates about chargers across the country. With that information in hand, you can plan your route in a way where you eat / snack / rest while your car does the same. The VF 6 supports DC fast charging and can go from 10 to 70 per cent in roughly 25 minutes – perfect for a lunch break. Infrastructure is gaining momentum, too. VinFast has its own V-Green charging stations and has even partnered with HPCL to expand the network further. Costs, you ask? Fret not. Everybody knows electricity costs significantly less per kilometre than petrol or diesel. That’s only bumped up in the case of the VF 6, as it has a great efficiency of 7.85km/kWh. With that, the running costs work out to `1.40/km even with a high `11 per unit electricity cost. I agree public chargers are expensive, but even around `25 per unit, the costs still come up to `3.18 per km. An ICE car, in comparison, would cost upwards of `7 per km – around 50 per cent more. The obvious argument against EVs is that you pay more upfront, but with these kind of running costs, most end up breaking even within a few years. Since EVs have far fewer moving parts than ICE cars, servicing is also simpler and generally more affordable. Another major cost factor is resale value. That would differ for manufacturers but VinFast offers buyback at up to 75 per cent of the original value. So good if you are a VinFast owner. Then there are the long-term concerns. Safety and battery health.

The VF 6 has scored a 5-star safety rating in BNCAP, so certainly safety isn’t an issue here. Moreover, the battery packs go through rigorous testing before being put in a car. Such is the confidence VinFast has in them that the battery comes with a 10-year / 2 lakh kilometre warranty. What you would have noticed is that VinFast has made owning a car a rather simple process. Personally, these small things help nudge new buyers towards EVs. This simplicity continues inside the VF 6. For starters, there’s no traditional instrument cluster.

Instead, you get a large 12.9-inch central screen which integrates both infotainment and driving information. You do get a headup display showing speed, navigation and range. For those wondering if the centre screen would become complicated, it really doesn’t. With fewer screens, there’s less clutter and you can focus on the road. Software updates also happen over the air, so no need of frequent service centre visits. More importantly, VinFast hasn’t abandoned physical controls entirely. Gear selector, media controls, cruise control, wipers, turn indicators, door lock / unlock remain physical switches, continuing the familiar driving feel from ICE cars. Spend a little time with the VF 6 and it becomes clear how convenient this car is to live with. We have reached a stage where EVs can comfortably become the only car in your garage and what better than one which makes life simpler in terms of costs, range anxiety, and even future assurance? And with that, I feel we Indians need a newer version of “Kitna deti hai?” Perhaps we should be asking, “Kya deti hai?” And in the case of the VF 6, the answer is peace of mind.