2026 VinFast VF9 leaked in Australia

Vietnamese automaker VinFast has finally shown some Australian-related market activity, having just submitted the exterior design of a facelifted VF9 SUV for patenting with the local intellectual property office.

The growing brand has been talking up and promising an Australian launch for literal years now and is currently present in 11 global markets (Vietnam, India, Thailand, North America, Indonesia, the Philippines, France, Germany, Holland, the UAE, Oman), just two of which are right-hand drive.

Curiously though, the VF9 isn’t offered in either of the right-hook markets (Thailand, Indonesia), but that hasn’t stopped VinFast developing and showing a right-hand drive version of the more than 5.1-metre-long electric SUV that first debuted at the 2021 LA motor show.

But now as the big rig’s fourth birthday approaches, it would seem a new version is on the way given the freshly patented design is unmistakably a VF9, albeit fitted with new front and rear fascias.

Seven exterior design renders were filed with IP Australia’s design department on June 5 and officially registered (patented) on July 16, showcasing a much more advanced and almost Chinese look, with a full-width LED light strip running along the bonnet line, above a much grander vertically-slatted grille.

Said grille is flanked on either side by sunken LED headlight clusters that bridge across to a pair of slatted air dams which are in turn complemented at the rear by a matching set of outlets either side of the tailgate.

Other, more subtle changes include a trapezoid lower intake, bladed alloy wheels and chunkier rear bumper.

Competition for the VF9 presently comes from the Kia EV9, Hyundai IONIQ 9 and Volvo EX90, all three of which are offered in Europe, North America and Australia; the former two being critical markets for VinFast.

The current VF9 measures 5119mm long, 2004mm wide, 1691mm tall and sits on a 3148mm wheelbase, making it longer (body, wheelbase) and wider than the EV9 but not quite as tall.

It’s powered by a dual-motor powertrain good for 300kW/620Nm and can launch from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds, despite weighing more than 2900kg.

The motors draw current from either a 97kWh or 123kWh lithium-ion battery pack – depending on the variant and market – that provide WLTP cruising ranges of up to 437km and 594km respectively.

Both power packs can be recharged at up to 160kW on DC power or 11kW on AC power.

With the official design renders now out in the world, it shouldn’t be too long before we see the updated 2026 VinFast VF9 make its global debut; quite possibly at the 2025 LA motor show this November… four years on from the original’s reveal at the same venue.

As for Australia, it’s still unclear when or indeed if VinFast will enter the fray but the emergence of these design renders via IP Australia is another step in the right direction following the debut of the right-hook VF9 (and other models) last year, even if there is still plenty of groundwork to be done.

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