Technology – Page 13 – Ewing VinFast of Plano

October 5, 2024October 31, 2024

VinFast VF8 vs Tesla Model Y

It’s that time again when we take you through the ins and outs of the VinFast VF8 and compare it to another luxury electric vehicle that has a popular name. We have gone through the Volkswagen ID.4, BMW iX, Rivian R1S, Cadillac Lyriq, and Mercedes-Benz EQB, among others. It has become evident that the VF8 punches well above its weight and is easily comparable to legacy automotive brands in the EV space. This time, we’re taking a look at how well the VinFast stacks up against the Tesla Model Y.

The Tesla Model Y has been a very successful electric crossover. It’s based on the extremely popular Model 3 and can seat up to seven people when optioned with the cramped, $2,000 third row. However, Tesla is in somewhat of a sales slump, especially the Model 3 and Y. Some of that is due to the expansion of the EV market, where pretty much every automaker has their own electric vehicles to compete against Tesla. Another part is that the company’s main owner and CEO, Elon Musk, is somewhat divisive.

For 2024, the Model Y is available in three flavors: Long Range AWD, Standard Range RWD, and Performance. Long Range all-wheel drive models cost $49,630 and feature an 80.5 kWh battery pack with a dual-motor setup that produces 384 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque and allows for up to 308 miles of driving range. According to Car and Driver, rear-wheel drive Model Ys have only 260 miles of range and run $44,630. The range-topping Performance model also has all-wheel drive and can get from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, but that’s all Tesla really tells anyone. No horsepower or torque figures are given, and Tesla does not have a PR department. They do say it has a driving range of 279 miles, though, and costs $54,130.

According to Tesla’s website, with no money down, a Model Y SR RWD will run you $534 per month for 36 months, $542 a month for the LR AWD, and then $695 for the Performance model. The Model Y, in all configurations, is able to tow up to 3,500 lbs when properly equipped.

The biggest claim to Tesla’s fame is its Supercharger network, a Level 3 fast charging system that is pretty flawless for Tesla owners. However, the Supercharger network is now open to all other automakers, and there have been reports of VinFast VF8 owners using Superchargers without issue.

The VinFast VF8 Eco has a base price of $47,325, and the Plus trim starts from $51,800. Unlike the Tesla, VinFast is happy to publish that their VF8 trims have an 87.7 kWh battery park that gives Eco models 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque and 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque in the Plus trim. The EPA estimates that owners can expect 264 miles of driving range in Eco models and 243 miles in Plus models between charges. There is currently no performance VF8 model, but VinFast also doesn’t need a speedy model just to convince people they need an EV. The VF8 can also tow 4,000 lbs when properly equipped, which is more than the Tesla.

With no money down, buyers can drive away with a brand new VF8 Eco for just $199 per month for 36 months or $249 per month for the Plus model. All VF8 models come standard with a Head-Up Display, which the Tesla does not even have as an option. It also includes Sony’s revolutionary RideVu feature that allows anyone in a VinFast to watch 2,000 different Sony TV shows and movies either on the large 15.6-inch infotainment screen (when stationary, of course) or on their smartphone, tablet, or laptop when it is connected to the vehicle’s in-car WiFi. Every model also has premium vegan leather.

One of the features Tesla owners have always howled about, FSD, or Full Self Driving, turned out to be not so natural, with the U.S. government stepping in and telling Tesla they could no longer advertise their hands-free driving mode as hands-free or that it is fully self-driving. VinFast is completely honest and transparent with its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and safety features that include Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Centering Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Automatic Emergency Braking, Intelligent Speed Recognition, Traffic Sign Recognition, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection, Door Opening Warning, Front Automatic Emergency Braking, Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Front Parking Assist, Rear Parking Assist, backup camera, Automatic High Beam, and a 360-degree Surround View Camera system. All models also come with 11 airbags as standard safety equipment.

In the end, if you are bored of the same old cars with the same old names, then why not give VinFast a try? The VF8 also has the industry’s best warranty, with a 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty that no other automaker can match, not even Tesla, with its 8-year, 120,000-mile warranty.

At Ewing VinFast of Plano, we have the best prices on dozens of new VinFast EVs and used cars. Our well-educated sales staff and finance department will happily assist you with your EV questions and needs. Our fantastic service department will ensure your vehicle stays in the best condition.

We look forward to serving you.

September 30, 2024

VinFast VF8 vs BMW iX

Once again, another electric SUV/crossover enters the ring against the reigning affordable EV champ, the 2024 VinFast VF8. The VinFast has already proven itself against the Volkswagen ID.4, Rivian R1S, and the Mercedes-Benz EQB. So, who is the challenger this time? The 2024 BMW iX….a luxury all-electric SUV that, like the VinFast, was created from the ground up to be a pure EV.

The BMW iX

BMW’s iX is available either as the iX xDrive50i or the iX M60, which is the performance-oriented version of the iX. Both models feature an 111.5 kWh battery pack that gives the xDrive50i 516 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque, as well as 610 horsepower and 749 lb-ft of torque in the M60. BMW says the base xDrive50i gets to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, with the M60 doing the same in just 3.6 seconds. That’s a good bit quicker than the VF8.

IX Price and Range

With a starting price of $88,425, the iX is more than $40,000 more expensive than the VF8 Eco. Like the VinFast, the BMW features dual motors and all-wheel drive as standard and has an EPA estimated range of up to 309 miles in 50i form and 285 miles in M60 trim.

VF8 Price and Power

Now, it’s time to see how the VinFast compares to the BMW. The VF8 Eco has a base price of $47,325, and the Plus trim starts from $51,800. Like the BMW, both VF8 trims have an 87.7 kWh battery that gives Eco models 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque and 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque for the Plus trim.

VinFast Range and Performance

The EPA says drivers can expect 264 miles in Eco models and 243 miles for Plus models between charges. While the BMW is clearly more performance-oriented, the VF8 isn’t exactly slow. It will get to 60 mph in just 5.9 or 5.5 seconds for the Eco and Plus.

Differences in Lease Prices

Taking a significant leap over the BMW iX xDrive50i is the fact that you can lease the VF8 Eco for just $199 per month for 36 months with $0 down and 10,000 miles per year. For only $249 per month, you can get the top-of-the-line Plus trim. Oh, and VinFast offers a 10-year, 125,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with a 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty. You can still lease the BMW, of course, but it will cost you $699 per month for 36 months, with $6,419 due before you get to drive off in your new Bimmer. Worse yet, BMW only offers a 4-year, 50,000-mile standard warranty with an extra 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.

There’s No Way the BMW Is Worth THAT Much More

Including the down payment, the BMW iX xDrive50i will cost you $31,583 over three years of the lease, and that’s not including any taxes or other fees. The VinFast VF8 Eco will cost just $7,164 over 36 months. There is no way the BMW is worth nearly five times what the VF8 will cost.

We look forward to serving you.

September 15, 2024September 27, 2024

Dollars and Sense – VF9 vs. Grand Highlander Hybrid vs. XC90 PHEV

The VinFast VF9 will be arriving at dealers soon, and like the VF8, there are plenty of reasons why you should lease or buy one. Starting with a base MSRP of $69,800 for the Eco trim and $73,800 for the Plus, up to 330 miles of range, a 10-year, unlimited-mile battery warranty that is the best in the industry, standard Head-Up Display, standard all-wheel drive, and a lease special of $529 per month for 24 months with just $2,000 down.

Standard Features on the VF9

While there is still some information to come, the VinFast VF9 has two trim levels, Eco and Plus, and three rows with the capacity to handle up to seven passengers. The second-row passengers can adjust their seats up to four different ways, and there are up to 8 USB-A ports with a single 90-watt USB-C charging port for rear passengers.

Safety Is Most Important

Both VF9 trim levels come standard with Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Centering Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Automatic Emergency Braking, Intelligent Speed Recognition, Traffic Sign Recognition, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection, Door Opening Warning, Front Automatic Emergency Braking, Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Front Parking Assist, Rear Parking Assist, backup camera, Automatic High Beam, and a 360-degree Surround View Camera system. All VinFast VF9 models feature 11 airbags as standard safety equipment.

Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

Toyota’s Grand Highlander Hybrid is the company’s largest SUV to date and starts from $46,415 for the base XLE front-wheel drive model. However, the Hybrid Max Platinum is more suited to compare against the VF9 with its loaded price of $64,264. While you may be thinking, “Why are you comparing a hybrid Toyota SUV to an electric VinFast?” There is an easy answer. You see, Toyota currently doesn’t have any purchase or lease specials for the Grand Highlander Hybrid, which means that people are paying full price. For a vehicle that is nearly $65,000, putting $5,000 down, whether in cash or as a trade, equals out to be about $1,200 per month for five years.

Volvo XC90 Recharge

The Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV starts at $73,195 for the Core T8 AWD plug-in, which can drive up to 32 miles at a full charge. The Recharge has a 14.7 kWh battery pack that offers 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. Sadly, like the Grand Highlander, Volvo does not have great specials when it comes to buying or leasing the XC90. Buyers can lease the Core T8 AWD from $799 per month for 36 months, with $5,245 due at signing.

Why The VinFast VF9 Reigns Supreme

While the Toyota and Volvo are both nice options as three-row SUVs, the VinFast VF9 is the vehicle that brings more standard equipment for its base price and gives potential customers an easy entry into owning their first electric vehicle, especially one that is so well-suited for families with multiple children and even pets.

We look forward to serving you.

September 10, 2024September 27, 2024

Home Charging vs. Public Charging Costs

Imagine being able to fill your car’s gas tank up at home. Think about just pulling into your driveway after a long day and not having to worry about waking up earlier the next day to stop for gas because you can top up in your garage or driveway for next to nothing. That’s basically what it’s like to be able to charge your VinFast at home.

Cost To Charge at Home

According to MarketWatch, Plano, Texas, has some decently low electricity costs per kWh, with an average cost of 13.9 cents per kWh. That means charging the 87.7 kWh battery in the VF8 from 0 miles of range to full would cost around $12. However, if you only need to charge about 50% of your battery every day when you get home, you will likely spend about $5-$6 per charge. If you do that 30 times per month, you will see less than $200 added to your monthly electric bill. Don’t forget, the grid is smart enough to charge some EVs off-peak hours when electricity is cheapest.

Cost To Fill Up a Car with Gasoline

Comparing that to a gas-powered car, where the average gas price is about $3 per gallon in Plano, car owners would spend about $225 at the pump if they filled up a 15-gallon fuel tank five times in a month. However, most of the best-selling vehicles in Texas are pickup trucks, meaning that just three fill-ups of a 26-gallon fuel tank puts you over $230.

The Cost to Use A Paid Public Charger

If you must charge your EV on the go, the average cost per kWh at a public charger is about 50 cents in Texas. According to Axios, it costs about $26 to charge a VinFast from 10-70%. If you had to charge from 0-100%, which is not likely, you would spend about $45.

Check To Find Free Local Chargers

Charging at home can save you lots of time and money compared to charging on the go. Obviously, if you are taking long road trips, you will have to charge at Level 2 and 3 public stations. It should be noted that some grocery stores, movie theaters, malls, colleges, etc., have free public charging stations. In total, there are 139 free public charging stations in Plano, which accounts for 52% of all chargers in the area, according to ChargeHub.com.

We look forward to serving you.

September 1, 2024September 27, 2024

VF8 vs Lyriq

The VinFast VF8 is being seen as a good luxury EV that doesn’t break the bank. Compared to most other luxury electric vehicles on the market, the VF8 is not just a bargain but also continues to get better and better with over-the-air (OTA) updates.

VF8 Power and Performance

The VinFast VF8 features two trim levels for buyers: the base Eco and the Plus trim. Both models have an 87.7 kWh dual-motor battery pack with standard all-wheel drive, which are two things that are typically optional in most EVs. The Eco trim has 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque that can get owners from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. Stepping up to the Plus trim gives buyers 402 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque and will reach 60 mph in less than 5.5 seconds.

Cadillac Power and Performance

Cadillac’s Lyriq EV comes standard with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive optional. The RWD model comes with 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, while AWD models have 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. This makes the Cadillac faster than the VF8 to 60 mph, which takes 5.7 seconds in RWD form and 4.6 seconds with AWD according to Car and Driver.

Pricing For Both EVs

For 2024, the base Cadillac Lyriq Tech RWD has a starting MSRP of $58,590, which swells to $62,090 for a standard Tech trim with all-wheel drive. The VinFast VF8, on the other hand, has a base MSRP of just $46,000 for an Eco model and $51,800 for the Plus model. When leasing, buyers can get the Eco nationwide for just $249 a month with $999 down for 36 months or $299 per month for the Plus. Cadillac is currently offering the Lyriq Tech AWD for $479 a month for 24 months, with $4,899 due at signing.

Sony RIDEVU

All VinFast vehicles also come equipped with something that the Cadillac can’t have: RIDEVU, which is a partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment that provides the ability to stream thousands of shows and movies from Sony’s collection to be watched straight on the in-car 15.6-inch infotainment screen, or via a laptop, smartphone, or tablet that is connected to the vehicle’s WiFi.

Quite Possibly the Best Warranty in The World

The pièce de resistance with all VinFast vehicles is the electric battery system warranty. The Cadillac Lyriq EV comes with an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty system, which is pretty standard in the industry. However, VinFast takes this up a notch and gives owners a 10-year, unlimited-mile warranty for the battery system.

We look forward to serving you.