Compare the2024 Kia EV9VS 2024 VinFast VF 8

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Kia EV9 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 EV9 and VF 8 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The EV9 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.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the EV9 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The VF 8 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the EV9 and VF 8 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the EV9 has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (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 EV9 and the VF 8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, 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.

The Kia EV9 (Built after January 2024) achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The VF 8 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

There are almost 197 times as many Kia dealers as there are VinFast dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EV9’s warranty.

The EV9 GT-Line’s electric motors produces 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 457) than the VF 8 Plus’ optional electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the EV9 GT-Line electric motors is faster than the VF 8 Plus:

The EV9 can travel longer on a full charge than the VF 8 on a full charge:

For better traction, the EV9 has larger standard tires than the VF 8 (255/60R19 vs. 225/55R19). The EV9 GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the VF 8 (285/45R21 vs. 245/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EV9 GT-Line has standard 21-inch wheels. The VF 8’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Kia EV9 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.

The EV9 offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The VF 8 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The EV9’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The VF 8 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EV9’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the VF 8 (122 inches vs. 116.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EV9 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the VF 8.

The EV9 GT-Line AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the VF 8 Plus pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the EV9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the VF 8 (7.8 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the EV9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Kia EV9 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the VinFast VF 8.

For excellent aerodynamics, the EV9 has standard flush composite headlights. The VF 8 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the EV9 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The VF 8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the EV9 GT-Line AWD is quieter than the VF 8 Plus (31 vs. 36 dB).

The EV9 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the VF 8 can only carry 5.

The EV9’s cargo area provides more volume than the VF 8.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the EV9’s optional second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The VF 8 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Maximum trailer towing in the VinFast VF 8 is limited to 3968 pounds. The EV9 AWD offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the EV9 uses the Electronic Stability 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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the EV9 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The VF 8 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The EV9’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 EV9 GT-Line has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the VF 8.

The EV9 has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The VF 8 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The EV9 (except Light/Wind)’s optional Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The VF 8 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The EV9 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The VF 8 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The EV9 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The VF 8 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the EV9 as the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The VF 8 has never been chosen.

The Kia EV9 outsold the VinFast VF 8 by almost four to one during 2023.