Vinfast has filed a design patent for the VF5 facelift in India, offering a glimpse of the exterior design changes on the electric SUV. The patent suggests repositioned headlights, a new bonnet, redesigned LED tail-lights and fresh bumpers. We reported that the VF5 is being considered for India, and the patent filing and prior test mule sightings suggest Vinfast could be preparing to launch the facelifted eSUV in the country.
- Interior features a larger infotainment screen and a new steering wheel
- India-spec VF5 is expected to be priced at around Rs 12 lakh
Interestingly, the VF5 facelift was spied without camouflage in Vietnam in September 2026, and the design changes on the model correspond with the details seen in the design patent.
Vinfast VF5 facelift: What’s different?
Revised lighting elements, redesigned bumpers and a new bonnet can be seen
The design patent suggests the headlights have become sleeker and are positioned lower on the VF5 facelift compared to the current global-spec model. The thick black portions underneath the headlights have also become slimmer and merge with the blackened lower section of the bumper, making the SUV look more modern and edgy.
In profile, the wheels look redesigned. From the model spied in Vietnam last month, it is discernible that the wheel size will be the same at 16 inches. Other design elements in the profile look identical to those on the current VF5.
At the rear, the VF5 facelift will feature revised, chunkier connected LED tail-lights. In the current model, the reverse light and turn indicator are placed on the bumper, but the facelift will integrate them within the tail-lights. The Vietnamese spy shots further reveal Vinfast lettering at the centre and a VF5 badge at the rightmost corner of the tailgate.
It will get a larger infotainment screen but skip a dedicated driver’s display
The spy shots from Vietnam also offer a glimpse into the VF5 facelift’s interior. They reveal a more upright dashboard featuring a larger free-standing infotainment touchscreen and a redesigned two-spoke steering wheel with a flattened top and bottom. A traditional driver’s display appears to be missing, as the infotainment screen will double up as the instrumentation screen. The centre console also appears to have more aggressive creases, a rotary drive selector dial and two cup holders.
The cabin is black on the spied model, like the current Vietnam-spec VF5, but the seats appear to have leatherette upholstery, an upgrade from fabric ones.
In Indonesia, the VF5 gets a 29.6kWh battery pack powering a front-axle-mounted electric motor, producing 90hp and 135Nm, and a claimed NEDC range of 268km. Other countries get a 37.23kWh battery option, powering a 136hp, 135Nm front motor, with a claimed NEDC range of 326km.
The India-spec Vinfast VF5 is expected to be priced at around Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). It could potentially lock horns with the Tata Punch EV (Rs 9.79 lakh to Rs 12.99 lakh), or the Tata Nexon EV (Rs 12.49 lakh to Rs 17.69 lakh) and Mahindra XUV 3XO EV (Rs 13.89 lakh to Rs 14.96 lakh), depending on the VF5 specification Vinfast brings to India.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
