VinFast MPV 7 First Drive - Electric 7-Seater For The Masses

India loves seven seaters. From the Triber to the Innova, the MPV segment is thriving, more so today, as families grow larger. It’s now the people mover space that Vietnamese carmaker VinFast is now eyeing in India. The electric vehicle carmaker forayed into the Indian market last year with the VF 6 and VF 7 e-SUVs, and the new MPV 7 marks its entry into a new segment, which would be its most volume-friendly yet. Can it make a difference? We headed to VinFast’s HQ in Vietnam to sample the upcoming MPV 7 first hand.

VinFast MPV 7: Dimensions  

One of the first things that you notice about the MPV 7 is its length. At 4,740 mm, it’s not only longer than the  Kia Carens Clavis EV, but more than the Tata Safari as well. In fact, the wheelbase measures 2,840 mm. And yes, that's actually larger than both those seven-seater offerings. This is a fairly big car although not the most intimidating in terms of design. The width stands at 1,872 mm, while the height is a decent 1,734 mm. It’s a good mix of wide proportions and practical sizing, which should make it stick with city buyers.

VinFast MPV 7: Design

The design itself is very VinFast-coded, and you have that signature face with the massive V logo up front. The styling is simple up front and the DRLs dominate the face complemented by split LED headlamps. The overall styling is neutral, dare I say, even conservative. A little more flash wouldn’t have hurt honestly, but I do feel this design will age well, given its simpler lines.

The profile is simple and the SUV-like stance is likeable. The MPV 7 rides on 19-inch wheels, and the alloys look quite quirky. They are also easily my favourite design element on the car. The rear profile sports a simple design. There are connected taillights and the VF design is very apparent. I do feel the rear profile is reminiscent of the Tata Safari to an extent. Maybe less shouty, but there is definitely a resemblance.

This is the Vietnamese version that we are looking at, and the Indian version should be largely identical too. The big difference between the Vietnam and India-spec models is the name. While VinFast retails the model as Limo Green in its home market, India gets the rather unoriginal ‘MPV 7’ badging.

VinFast MPV 7: Interior

That name may be a bit too basic, but then, the cabin feels the same way. The interior is extremely minimal with a screen and steering dominating the dashboard. Most elements are flat and you have a black and grey interior theme. Compared to the Limo Green version, the MPV 7 gets more room on the centre console with the gear selector moved to the steering column. The touchscreen infotainment system, which is the mainstay on VinFast cars, is also a smaller 10.1-inch unit, compared to the larger and more dynamic screen we saw on the VF 7. The steering wheel gets a flat-bottom and is nice to hold, and gets all the essential buttons for audio controls, calls, and cruise control.

The plastic quality is just about okay, and has a budget feel to it. But the overall fit and finish is on point. Most functions are a part of the touchscreen unit, and you do not get a conventional instrument console - digital or otherwise. Among the missing features by modern standards are ventilated front seats, wireless charging, and an electric sunroof. That said, you do get four speakers, leatherette upholstery, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and automatic climate control. There are Type A and Type C USB charging ports in the first and second rows.

There are plenty of storage options around the cabin. This includes the several storage spaces on the centre console, the bottle holders in the doors, and the massive storage under the front armrest.

VinFast MPV 7: Second Row

The second row is fairly spacious. Decent head room and legroom but under-thigh could have been better. The flat floorboard essentially allows three people to be comfortable and you get adjustable headrests for all passengers. There is no armrest in the second row, nor are there sun blinds. The seating position is nice, and you slightly higher from the front seats for a nice view of the road. You also get sliding and reclining functions, further adding a touch of convenience.

VinFast MPV 7: Third Row

The third row is where the meat of this car is. Accessing the third row requires you to tumble down the second row seats, which isn’t the most effortless mechanism. The legroom is impressive and you also sit slightly higher compared to the first two rows. I’m 6’2” and rather large and I still found my way into the third row. Folks under 5’8” will be decently comfortable, although under-thigh support is negligible. On the plus side, you have a reclining back seat, a large quarter glass to help maintain a roomy feel, while the rear AC vents and cupholders further add to the convenience. There’s also a 12-volt socket behind the seats.

VinFast MPV 7: Performance

We are driving the MPV 7 on VinFast’s test track at its massive manufacturing facility in Hai Phong, Vietnam. This facility is where the MPV 7 is produced for the world, and India will get the model as a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kit, with local assembly taking place at VinFast’s Thoothukudi facility in Tamil Nadu.

Power comes from a front-wheel drive single electric motor that produces 201 bhp and 280 Nm of peak torque. There’s a 60.13 kWh battery pack under the floorboard that promises a range in excess of 500 km on full charge. The first impressions and the very raw ones from the car is the fact that the acceleration is nice. It’s quick with 0-100 kmph coming up in under 10 seconds. Straight line stability is excellent and power delivery is linear, and does not feel overwhelming at any point. The steering feedback is very nice. It's light for the most part and you come to realise that it weighs up nicely at higher speeds. There are three driving modes - Eco, Normal and Sport, and while Eco dulls acceleration in the interest of efficiency, it’s still fairly quick in the same.

There are also four regen modes for braking but you do not get one-pedal driving. Switching it to ‘high’ will ensure the regen braking is at its most intrusive but it doesn’t slow down the car quickly.

VinFast MPV 7: Ride & Handling

The suspension setup feels nice for the most part but we would like to see how it drives in Indian road conditions. There is a hint of firmness from the suspension, especially when going over the minor rumble strips on the track. There is decent body roll too, and while contained, it will unsettle passengers under quick lane changes. Braking performance feels confident and the car stops without much drama.

The first impressions are quite decent. The car works well with respect to acceleration. But we’ll reserve our judgement for the ride and handling when we drive the MPV 7 on regular Indian roads.

VinFast MPV 7: Expected Pricing

Prices for the MPV 7 will be crucial for its acceptance. With VinFast missing out on several modern-day essentials, a competitive price tag could just be what it needs to shake up the segment. As wishful as it gets, if VF can provide the MPV 7 at the price of the top trims of the Maruti Ertiga, it will attract customers easily. The electric seven-seater segment has some formidable rivals including the Kia Carens Clavis EV, Mahindra XEV 9S, and the BYD eMax 7, all of which feel quite premium justifying the price.

VinFast MPV 7: Verdict

As a no nonsense people mover, the MPV 7 ticks all the right boxes.  I do have a problem with the fact that it's not a very plush car to be in. The plastics are just all right and it misses on six airbags and 360-degree camera, which we hope to see on the Indian version. There is no ADAS either at the moment. The Indian version will get a dual-tone interior, which should have a more upmarket feel over the dreary black and grey cabin. Nevertheless, it could just democratise the electric MPV segment with the right pricing. VinFast will also bring the low-cost Limo Green variant to India, sold exclusively to fleet buyers. VinFast could surprise us by doing things differently, just what its MPV 7 needs right now.