Vietnamese automaker VinFast’s VF8, vying for a share in the U.S. electric vehicle market, recently underwent Euro NCAP’s crash tests, earning a four-star safety rating. Notably, this marks the first instance of a significant safety organization evaluating the electric crossover.
While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States have not yet tested the VinFast VF8, Euro NCAP’s assessment provides valuable insights into the newcomer’s crash performance.
The VF8 fell short of attaining the maximum five-star rating, positioning it slightly below rivals such as the Tesla Model Y. The Euro NCAP evaluation factored in the organization’s updated and more rigorous 2023 testing protocol, highlighting safety scores of 76% for adult occupants, 89% for child occupants, 77% for vulnerable road users, and 79% for safety assist systems.
In comparison, the Tesla Model Y, tested under the previous year’s procedure, secured higher ratings with 97% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child protection, 82% for pedestrian safety, and 98% for safety systems.
While the figures indicate a performance gap, the detailed safety report for the VinFast VF8 reveals positive aspects, such as good protection for the knees and femurs of both the driver and front passenger in frontal impact scenarios. However, concerns were raised about the dashboard structures posing a risk of injury to occupants of varying sizes and positions.
Euro NCAP noted issues with the deployment of the driver’s knee airbag and highlighted that it provided no protection to the inboard leg, attracting a penalty. The VF8’s performance in the deformable barrier test suggested it could be an aggressive impact partner in frontal collisions.
Chest protection was deemed marginal for the driver and rear-seat passenger after the full-width rigid barrier test. In the side barrier test, while critical body parts received good protection, the side curtain airbag deployment issue was identified.
In the child occupant protection category, the VF8 received maximum points, offering good protection in both frontal offset and side barrier tests. The safety assist category, however, showcased strong performance, with the auto brake function and lane support system working effectively in various scenarios.
Euro NCAP recently updated its safety testing protocol, encompassing new systems for child presence detection, vehicle submergence specifications, and technologies addressing motorcyclists and vulnerable road users. The VinFast VF8’s four-star rating places it within the competitive landscape as the automaker seeks a foothold in the electric vehicle market.