VinFast, a leading Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, has officially entered the Indian market with its first two electric SUVs—the VinFast VF6 and VF7. With a focus on safety and confidence in their products, VinFast quickly put its vehicles through Bharat NCAP’s comprehensive safety tests shortly after launch.
Bharat NCAP Safety Ratings: What Do They Mean?
Understanding the Bharat NCAP Scoring System
Bharat NCAP, India’s official car safety assessment program, evaluates vehicles based on:
- Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)
- Child Occupant Protection (COP)
- Performance in frontal and side crash tests
- Structural integrity and restraint systems
Five stars is the highest possible rating, indicating top-tier protection for occupants in various crash scenarios.
VinFast VF6 Crash Test Performance
Adult Occupant Protection
- Score: 27.13 out of 32
- Frontal Offset Crash Test: 11.13 out of 16
- Driver: Good ratings for head, neck, pelvis, and thighs; marginal for right tibia; weak for chest; excellent for left tibia.
- Front Passenger: Excellent ratings for chest and tibias; all other areas rated favorably.
Takeaway: The VF6 performs well in frontal crashes but could improve on driver chest protection.
Side Impact Performance
- Score: 16 out of 16
- Results: Good protection for head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Passed the side pole impact test with strong ratings for all critical areas.
Child Occupant Protection
- Score: 44.41 out of 49
- Dynamic Score: 22.41/24
- CRS Installation: 12/12
- Vehicle Assessment: 10/13
Both 18-month-old and 3-year-old dummies showed excellent protection, especially in side impacts. Consistent and reliable child seat installation further boosted the score.
VinFast VF7 Crash Test Performance
Adult Occupant Protection
- Score: 28.54 out of 32
- Frontal Crash Test: 12.54 out of 16
- Driver: Favorable for head, pelvis, lower legs; weak for chest; good for tibias.
- Front Passenger: Good for head and pelvis; favorable for chest and tibias.
Side Impact Results
- Score: 16 out of 16
- Results: Good protection for head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Side pole impact test met all protection standards.
Takeaway: The VF7 slightly outperforms the VF6, especially for adult occupant safety.
Child Occupant Protection
- Score: 45.25 out of 49
- Dynamic Score: 23.25/24
- CRS Installation: 12/12
- Vehicle Assessment: 10/13
The VF7 offers outstanding child safety, with high scores for both 18-month-old and 3-year-old dummies in both frontal and side impacts.
Advanced Safety Features in VF6 and VF7
Both SUVs come loaded with modern safety technologies, enhancing their crash structures:
- Seven airbags
- Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System)
- 360-degree high-resolution camera
- Electronic parking brake with auto hold
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Advanced braking and stability systems
These features make the VF6 and VF7 some of the most advanced electric SUVs in their segments.
Implications for Indian Buyers
Why Safety Ratings Matter
Indian consumers are increasingly prioritizing safety, especially as new brands enter the EV market. A five-star Bharat NCAP rating:
- Validates strong body structure and restraint systems
- Boosts buyer confidence, especially for families
- Enhances resale value
- Meets and exceeds future regulatory standards
VinFast’s strong showing signals a commitment to safety, not just price or performance.
Pricing and Market Positioning
VinFast VF6 Pricing
- ₹16.49 lakh to ₹18.29 lakh (ex-showroom)
VinFast VF7 Pricing
- ₹20.89 lakh to ₹25.49 lakh (ex-showroom)
Key Competitors
VF6 Rivals:
- Mahindra BE 6
- MG Windsor EV
- MG ZS EV
- Tata Curvv EV
- Toyota bZ4X EV
- Maruti Vitara e
VF7 Rivals:
- Hyundai Creta Electric
- Mahindra XUV 9e
- Mahindra XUV 9S
- BYD Atto 3
- Tata Harrier EV
Notably, the VF7 stands out for its superior child safety among its competitors.
Expert Insights
VinFast’s five-star Bharat NCAP ratings are a major achievement, especially for a new brand. The VF7’s near-perfect child protection score makes it a standout premium family EV. Strong safety credentials help build trust quickly in the competitive market.
Trust and Reliability for Indian Owners
VinFast’s performance in safety tests demonstrates:
- Robust engineering and durable structures
- Compliance with Indian regulations
- Adherence to global quality standards
These factors position VinFast as a credible long-term player in India’s EV segment.
Conclusion
Both the VinFast VF6 and VF7 have set a high standard by earning five-star Bharat NCAP ratings. They excel in adult and child occupant protection and feature a rich suite of advanced safety technologies. For Indian buyers seeking safe, reliable electric SUVs, VinFast emerges as a top contender.
FAQs
Yes, both have received five-star safety ratings from Bharat NCAP.
The VF7 scores slightly higher overall, especially in child occupant protection.
Both models are equipped with seven airbags.
Yes, both the VF6 and VF7 feature Level 2 ADAS.
The VF6 starts at ₹16.49 lakh, and the VF7 starts at ₹20.89 lakh (ex-showroom).