As electric vehicles see growing demand in the Philippines, accelerated by current events like the Iran War, one of the companies that experienced a surge in orders is Vietnamese carmaker VinFast. Its affordable EV offerings resonated with a market looking for alternatives to ICE vehicles.
We recently got to try the upcoming VF MPV7 in Vietnam, and this is likely to induce more demand for the brand. Introduced last May 2026, the MPV7 is temptingly priced at P1.239 million with a battery subscription, and P1.518 million without a battery subscription.
The design is familiar by now, an MPV interpretation of the VinFast design language: slim light bar, small grille (no hot engine to cool), clean side profile, pleasing rear end. The ‘V’ logo can be seen on both ends.
The MPV7 is just handsome enough to be easy on the eyes. But it’s not striking, making it ideal for those who want something that doesn’t draw too much attention. This will be a good match for small families or first-time MPV buyers.
In the cabin, it leans more toward function than frills. The interior materials feel durable; not the softest, but they seem like they will last. More important, they will survive being scratched, banged, and spilled on. The steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach, but that’s expected in this price range. The seats are comfortable with supportive side bolsters; these should be good for long drives.
The center console is a two-tier setup, with a big storage area underneath the cupholders. As I said, utility is the prevalent theme here. The A/C is surprisingly cold. The heat in Vietnam is hotter than in Metro Manila, something that surprised me. But the MPV7’s air-conditioner easily cooled the cabin. An infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is found, like all modern cars, at the center of the dashboard.
The first and second rows can easily accommodate my large frame. I highly doubt that I will fit comfortably in the third row. But my six-footer colleague, Kap Maceda Aguila of BusinessWorld, was able to sit in the third row and emerge without looking for a chiropractor (although he did get a massage at the hotel the next day). For young children and small adults, it should be a liveable ride.
With the rear seat folded, there’s about 500 liters of useful cargo space. Fold both second and third rows, and up to 1,240 liters of space is available. I saw the third row folded, and the space will easily swallow bags for a family’s long weekend vacation.
As expected, power comes easily to the MPV7. With an electric motor generating 201hp and 280Nm of torque, the VinFast MPV surges to 100kph without breaking a sweat. The brakes are good at scrubbing off speed, too. You feel the weight of the vehicle because of the batteries and such, but it’s mostly predictable in terms of handling. With just me and a marshal in the MPV7, it can even be called enjoyable given the abundance of power available.
We did try an acceleration test with five (rather big) adults, and the MPV7 clearly felt the added load. It was still strong compared to a typical gasoline MPV, but heavy weight naturally affects the electric motor’s performance and range. Speaking of the latter, the MPV7’s 450km range is more than sufficient for city driving and quick jaunts to nearby provinces.
The VF MPV7 feels like a worthy addition to VinFast’s local lineup—a value proposition because of its economical EV powertrain and affordable price. With a battery subscription, it costs less than the top-spec Toyota Veloz. Without a battery subscription, it’s about the price of a mid-spec Toyota Innova E.
The MPV category is one of the most competitive in our automotive industry, but many entries are still gasoline- or diesel-powered. With the Vietnamese brand’s momentum and the continuous demand for electrified models that appeal to the broader market, the MPV7 looks like the right product at the right time.
