While the 2022 New York Auto Show was a pared down event with many of the usual automakers absent, it did leave space for some newcomers. The highest profile of those is VinFast, a relatively new EV brand hailing from Vietnam. And if their presence at NYC is a gauge, you’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the future.

Spread across a glistening white floor against an enormous video backdrop scrolling National Geographic level nature imagery, was their two forthcoming models and one concept. All three are impressive.

The VF9 is a full-size crossover with solid proportions and detailing. It isn’t far out in terms of styling, but it does look really cohesive. There’s a nice lighting element that spans the front facia coming together to form a V shape around the center logo. It’s an elegantly handled detail.

The midsize VF8 doesn’t just copy and scale the design elements from it’s bigger sibling. The bright orange model on display incorporates some of the same elements but with softer and more flowing surfaces.

Finally, there’s the VF7 concept. The baby SUV. I actually like this the least as it seems a blend of what Kia, Toyota and Nissan are already doing. If this is supposed to be the sportiest of the three, it might benefit from more original graphics particularly with the c-pillar and rear facia.

Photos and Text: Dave Pinter