Ka-Manibela, let me take you through one owner's near year-long journey with the VinFast VF3, a compact electric mini-SUV that has quietly become a favorite among city drivers looking to escape rising fuel costs.

Jeff of JeffAnnVentures acquired his VinFast VF3 in August of 2025, and it has served double duty as both a personal vehicle and a workhorse for his small business. 

The decision to go electric was driven by a simple, practical goal: saving money on fuel. While the family primarily stays within the city, they occasionally venture out, and so far, the VF3 has proven to be an incredibly worthwhile investment.

The first thing you notice about the VF3 is its size. When Jeff and his family first saw it, they actually thought it was too small. But appearances can be deceiving, and the compact footprint is one of the vehicle's greatest strengths. It is incredibly easy to maneuver no matter where you go, and parking is a breeze. When comparing it to rivals like the BYD Seagull, the VF3 stood out because while it is small, it sits noticeably higher off the ground, a feature that greatly appealed to the family.

The design itself is quite boxy, giving it a retro character that Jeff and his family genuinely appreciates. The rugged look is enhanced by black bumpers, black fenders, and black side skirts running around the entire vehicle. Some might not love the black trim, but Jeff finds it gives the car a tough and capable appearance. For those interested in customization, a roof rack can be added, though owners should be careful not to exceed 50 kilograms of load.

The VF3 is rear-wheel drive, with the electric motor mounted directly to the differential at the rear wheels. The vehicle also comes equipped with projector headlights, which was one of the considerations that helped seal the deal. As for the color, Jeff simply chose red because nearly all of his previous cars have been red, and its catchy color exudes a distinctive presence on the road.

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Despite its diminutive exterior, the VF3 surprises with how spacious it feels inside. This was one of the most unexpected discoveries for Jeff and his family. The seats can be lowered to maximize space, and because the car is used for business, it regularly carries 30 to 40 kilograms of stock for their store. The interior manages to feel far more generous than the exterior dimensions would suggest.

When it comes to power, Jeff and his fellow users have never complained. The VF3 is genuinely powerful, even on uphill climbs. The family has taken the car on long trips without any issues of the motor feeling strained. The top speed is limited to 104 kilometers per hour, which Jeff considers more than enough for both city driving and highway use. They also frequently use the Skyway, and the VF3 handles it without complications.

The vehicle features ABS, or Anti-Lock Braking System, which is remarkable at this price point. It also has seatbelts for all passengers, audible warnings when reversing or parking, a reverse parking camera, and a driver's airbag. Another particularly thoughtful feature is the auto-lock function: after about five minutes of inactivity, the car locks itself, a feature that arrived with the latest firmware update.

The VF3 offers two driving modes, Eco and Normal, which can be switched easily through the infotainment system, even while driving. The stock speaker audio quality is adequate for most owners, and for those who want to upgrade, there are plug-and-play options that don't require splicing wires, which would otherwise void the warranty.

In terms of riding comfort, the VF3's firm suspension is the one area where it noticeably falls short compared to other vehicles. The ride is somewhat stiff, a trait that persisted from purchase through regular use. Fortunately, there are many aftermarket options to upgrade the suspension, and Jeff recently did just that, noting the improvement. For those who find it still too firm, pricier options are available.

The braking power is more than sufficient, thanks to the torque characteristics of the electric motor. Jeff has never felt the brakes were lacking. On the highway, the VF3 is remarkably stable. One might expect a small car to wobble when a bus passes at speed, but the VF3 holds its line. This stability was further enhanced when Jeff swapped the stock tires, which were 175/75 on 16-inch rims, for wider Wanli Alpinism 205/60-16 all-terrain tires. The extra width contributed significantly to the car's planted feel, making long drives genuinely enjoyable and appreciably less bumpier.

Jeff’s longest journey so far with the VF3 was from Santa Rosa, Laguna to Angeles, Pampanga and back, requiring only two charging stops. The entire trip cost less than 600 pesos, an astonishing figure for a south-to-north-and-back journey. Having experienced a long trip, the family's big plan is a trip to Baguio, an endurance test question for any new car in the Philippines. Since the VF3's range is 210 kilometers on a full charge, they are carefully mapping out mandatory stopovers at charging stations and will document the journey in a future vlog. Speaking of vlogs, a previous trip to Tagaytay and back on a single charge became one of their most popular videos.

When they were considering the VF3, their biggest hesitation was the state of charging infrastructure in the Philippines. After thorough research, they found that charging stations are becoming increasingly common. Even better, VinFast offers free charging for its owners until March of 2029. At the time of his purchase, the processing was quick and easy, though Jeff notes that lines have since become longer at dealerships.

On after-sales service and parts availability, Jeff has no complaints so far. He hasn't yet reached his first scheduled maintenance, which is at 10,000 kilometers or one year, whichever comes first, but on other matters, the dealership has been very accommodating.

Charging The Vinfast VF3 is straightforward. It uses a CCS2 plug and supports DC fast charging only. VinFast stations offer 60-kilowatt chargers and a charge from 20 to 100 percent takes about an hour. Most stations have two guns, so two vehicles split the 60 kilowatts, roughly 30 each. The VF3 itself has an input of 20 kilowatts. But back at their home, the included portable 3.3-kilowatt charger takes about five hours for the same charge. Owners can adjust their charging target, dropping it to 90 percent if they're concerned about battery health, and can set a low-battery reminder, which Jeff has configured at 30 percent. It's perfectly fine to leave the car on while charging; doing so allows the low-voltage battery to charge simultaneously.

At the charging stations, there's a courteous system with the Green GSM taxis, which were launched by VinFast Auto Philippines. Private owners are given priority, and the taxi drivers will often wave you in when a spot opens up. Jeff emphasizes that courtesy should always be extended to the taxi drivers, who are simply earning a living.

For those switching to an EV, Jeff offers one important warning: avoid floods. The battery and motor sit beneath the flooring on most EVs, so it's essential to evacuate flooded areas before water reaches the battery.

So, who is the VF3 for? If you're looking to escape the cost of gasoline, this is the answer. After nearly a year of ownership, Jeff wholeheartedly recommends it, with one caveat: know your purpose for buying. The VF3 is small, so large families shopping for a spacious vehicle should look elsewhere. But for those who understand what they're getting, the VF3 is an incredibly worthwhile, cost-saving companion.

Watch the full review here: https://youtu.be/KT4y1uW8nJM?