Compare the2024 Volvo C40 RechargeVS 2023 VinFast VF 8

The C40 Recharge’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The VF 8 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volvo C40 Recharge are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The VinFast VF 8 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the C40 Recharge and VF 8 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The C40 Recharge Ultimate has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The VF 8’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The C40 Recharge has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The VF 8 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the C40 Recharge and VF 8 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the C40 Recharge has Braking Intervention (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The VF 8’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the C40 Recharge and the VF 8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the C40 Recharge its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The VF 8 has not been tested, yet.

The C40 Recharge’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the VF 8’s (12/unlimited vs. 10/125000).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the C40 Recharge for 4 years and 40,000 miles. Volvo will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. VinFast doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the VF 8.

There are over 70 times as many Volvo dealers as there are VinFast dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the C40 Recharge’s warranty.

The C40 Recharge’s optional electric motors produces 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (494 vs. 457) than the VF 8 Plus’ standard electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volvo C40 Recharge electric motors is faster than the VF 8 Plus:

On the EPA test cycle the C40 Recharge gets better mileage than the VF 8:

The C40 Recharge can travel longer on a full charge than the VF 8 on a full charge:

The C40 Recharge stops shorter than the VF 8:

For better traction, the C40 Recharge has larger tires than the VF 8 (235/45R20 vs. 225/55R19).

The C40 Recharge Core’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the VF 8 Eco’s standard 55 series tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Volvo C40 Recharge has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The VinFast VF 8 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For greater off-road capability the C40 Recharge has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the VF 8 (6.7 vs. 5.6 inches), allowing the C40 Recharge to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Volvo C40 Recharge may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1200 pounds less than the VinFast VF 8.

The C40 Recharge is 1 foot shorter than the VF 8, making the C40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the C40 Recharge has standard flush composite headlights. The VF 8 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the C40 Recharge’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The VF 8 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the C40 Recharge uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The VF 8 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat optional at extra cost in the VF 8, the C40 Recharge has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the C40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The VF 8 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The C40 Recharge offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The VF 8 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The VF 8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The C40 Recharge’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The C40 Recharge’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The VF 8’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

The C40 Recharge is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The VF 8 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the C40 Recharge second among small premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The VF 8 isn’t in the top three.

The Volvo C40 Recharge outsold the VinFast VF 8 by almost 22 to one during 2023.