VinFast has been caught testing a small electric SUV in India, and here's the twist. This isn't the VF 5 sold overseas. It's a fresh second-generation model that hasn't launched anywhere yet, and it could become VinFast's cheapest, highest-volume EV in India.
What was spied: a next-gen VF 5, not the current one
The test car was spotted near Mahalakshmi Metro Station in Bengaluru, fully wrapped in camouflage. Look past the wrap and it's clearly a VF 5 (called Herio Green in Vietnam), thanks to its side profile and that unusual D-pillar shape. But this isn't the version already on sale abroad. It's a second-generation model that VinFast hasn't shown or launched anywhere else. That's the real story here. VinFast hasn't officially confirmed the car or an India launch, so treat everything beyond the spy pictures as expected, not fixed.
Sub-4m size: why it matters for you
The VF 5 measures 3,967 mm long, 1,723 mm wide and 1,579 mm tall, with a 2,514 mm wheelbase (the gap between front and rear wheels). Staying under 4 metres is a big deal in India. It usually means a smaller tax bill and easier city driving. The 2,514 mm wheelbase should give VinFast room to fit a decent five-seat cabin, though a car this short will still feel snug for taller rear passengers. Ground clearance is a claimed 160 mm, enough for most city speed-breakers and rough patches.
Design changes visible under the camouflage
The front now gets a more upright look with a clamshell bonnet (a bonnet that wraps down over the edges). The projector headlamps appear slimmer and sharper than before. At the back, there's a new connected LED tail-lamp bar, thicker at the ends, plus a redesigned tailgate and bumpers. This test mule ran on 16-inch steel wheels, but higher variants will likely get 17-inch alloys. Inside, the spy shots show a flatter dashboard, a rectangular free-standing touchscreen, a new steering wheel and a floating centre console. Overall it looks more grown-up than the current VF 5.
Expected battery, range and power
VinFast hasn't shared any specs for this India-bound model, so nothing is locked in. The current VF 5 abroad uses a 29.6 kWh or 37.23 kWh battery (the battery size, which decides range), paired with a single front motor making up to 134 bhp. Claimed NEDC range is about 260 km for the smaller pack and 326 km for the bigger one. NEDC is a lab test that runs high, so real-world range could land closer to 180-230 km depending on the pack. For a next-gen car, VinFast could fit a bigger, more efficient battery, since Indian rivals keep pushing range up. Charging times and AC/DC figures haven't been revealed.
VF 5 vs Punch.ev, Nexon.ev and XEV 3XO
This is exactly where India's EV buyers are shopping. The Tata Punch.ev sits at the affordable end, the Nexon.ev one step up, and the Mahindra XEV 3XO adds more pressure. A VF 5 slotting between the Punch.ev and Nexon.ev could give buyers a genuine new option, but only if VinFast gets the price and range right. The company already builds the VF 6 and VF 7 at its Tamil Nadu plant, and both scored five-star Bharat NCAP ratings (India's crash-safety test). Local assembly could help VinFast price the VF 5 competitively rather than as a costly import.
Launch timeline: end-2026 possible, nothing confirmed
VinFast has said it wants five EVs in India by the end of 2026, and the VF 5 fits that plan. Reports suggest a launch could happen by late 2026, but VinFast hasn't announced an official date or price. The brand has moved fast here already: VF 6 and VF 7 launched in September 2025, and bookings for the seven-seat VF MPV 7 opened in April 2026. July 2026 sales stood at 1,482 units. So the VF 5 would be a logical next step down the price ladder.
Should you wait for it?
If you're EV-shopping in the sub-4m space right now, the VF 5 is worth keeping on your radar, but don't hold your breath. It's still a camouflaged test car with no confirmed price, spec or date. The proven picks today remain the Tata Punch.ev and Nexon.ev, both with a real service and charging network. Wait for the VF 5 only if you're not in a hurry and want to see how VinFast prices it against those two. If a good deal on a Punch.ev lands before then, it makes sense to take it.
