Compare the2026 Ford Escape PHEVVS 2025 VinFast VF 8

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape PHEV are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The VinFast VF 8 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Escape PHEV are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The VF 8 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Escape PHEV achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The VinFast VF 8 has not been tested.

Both the Escape PHEV and VF 8 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Escape PHEV has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The VF 8’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Escape PHEV and the VF 8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Escape PHEV is safer than the VinFast VF 8:

	Escape PHEV	VF 8
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	2 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	33.6%
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	367 lbs.
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	56 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	188/315 lbs.	452/399 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	2 Stars
HIC	102	823
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36.3%	98.3%
Neck Stress	181 lbs.	197 lbs.
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	202 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	354/292 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Escape PHEV is safer than the VinFast VF 8:

	Escape PHEV	VF 8
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	677 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Escape PHEV’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the VF 8’s (unlimited vs. 125000 miles).

There are over 81 times as many Ford dealers as there are VinFast dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Escape PHEV’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Escape PHEV first among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The VF 8 isn’t in the top three in its category.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escape PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the VF 8:

			MPGe
Escape PHEV
	FWD	Electric Motor	111 city/91 hwy
VF 8
	AWD	Eco Electric Motors	77 city/69 hwy
		Plus Electric Motors	46 city/42 hwy

The Escape PHEV’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 503 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The VF 8’s range is only 235 to 256 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 31 minutes for only a 70% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 12 hours.

Brakes and Stopping

The Escape PHEV stops shorter than the VF 8:

	Escape PHEV	VF 8
70 to 0 MPH	176 feet	181 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

The Escape PHEV has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the VF 8; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Escape PHEV’s turning circle is 3.4 feet tighter than the VF 8’s (37.2 feet vs. 40.6 feet).

Chassis

The Ford Escape PHEV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1550 to 1700 pounds less than the VinFast VF 8.

The Escape PHEV is 6.9 inches shorter than the VF 8, making the Escape PHEV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Escape PHEV has standard flush composite headlights. The VF 8 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the Escape PHEV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The VF 8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the VF 8 with its rear seat up (34.4 vs. 13.2 cubic feet). The Escape PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the VF 8 with its rear seat folded (60.8 vs. 48.4 cubic feet).

Towing

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape PHEV uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The VF 8 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape PHEV’s available exterior PIN entry system. The VF 8 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape PHEV’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The VF 8’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

Compared to the VinFast VF 8, the Ford Escape PHEV eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the driver’s visor.

The Escape PHEV is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the VF 8, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Escape PHEV offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the VF 8.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Escape PHEV equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The VF 8, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Ford Escape PHEV empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Escape PHEV, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape outsold the VinFast VF 8 by over 32 to one during 2024.

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