5 large SUVs from mainstream car manufacturers in Vietnam

The Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado are large, affordable SUVs that can carry seven people but are priced similarly to luxury cars in the Vietnamese market.

In the price range of 2-3 billion VND, most Vietnamese consumers would consider compact luxury cars such as the Mercedes GLC, Land Rover Evoque, Audi Q5, or BMW X3.

Others prefer spacious vehicles that can carry seven adults. Top choices in this segment are seven-seater SUVs, imported as complete units, such as the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, or Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

Ford Explorer (2.18 billion VND)

The Ford Explorer is a newcomer to the large SUV segment in Vietnam, priced at 2.18 billion VND. It is officially imported from the United States. The Explorer is a spacious 7-seater SUV equipped with many modern features such as massage seats with memory function, heating and cooling, a sunroof, MyFord Touch infotainment system, and Sync 3 connectivity.

Sony 500W 12-speaker sound system, DVD screen, wireless headphones for the rear seats. Hands-free trunk opening via sensor.

The Ford Explorer is reasonably priced compared to its competitors. Photo: Han Nguyen.

The model officially imported into Vietnam uses a 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine, producing 273 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and a maximum torque of 420 Nm at 3,000 rpm.

It features a 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Safety technology includes 10 airbags, terrain control, automatic parking, lane departure warning, 180-degree camera, ABS, EBD, etc.

At a price point above 2 billion VND, the Ford Explorer is the best choice in its segment due to its comprehensive features, unlike models imported from Thailand or Indonesia that are often stripped down.

Honda Pilot (3.5 billion VND)

The Honda Pilot is a fierce competitor to the Ford Explorer in Western countries. However, this model is not yet officially imported into Vietnam but is instead sold through private dealerships.

In every dimension, the Pilot is larger than its sibling, the CR-V, offering ample space for seven people.

The Honda Pilot is not yet officially imported, hence its high price. Photo: TNTBros.

The Honda Pilot is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 355 Nm of torque. Despite having a much larger displacement than the Explorer, the Pilot only has 7 horsepower more; however, this engine is quite fuel-efficient, consuming only about 11.8 liters per 100 km.

The Pilot Elite version is equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission, while the standard version uses a 6-speed transmission. In Vietnam, private dealerships are charging up to 3.5 billion VND for the Pilot.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (2.33 billion VND)

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a large SUV, the larger sibling of the Fortuner. It is officially imported into Vietnam and priced at 2.33 billion VND.

The car uses a 2.7-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine, producing a maximum power of 164 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and a torque of 246 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

The Toyota Prado is poorly equipped but easy to resell. Photo: Toyota.

The vehicle's active safety system includes ABS, BA emergency braking, EBD electronic stability control, active traction control, and 7 airbags. However, it lacks hill-start assist, off-road speed selection, and blind-spot monitoring. It also doesn't have automatic parking like the Ford Explorer.

Mazda CX-9 (1.86 billion VND)

The CX-9 is Mazda's largest SUV. In Vietnam, the CX-9 is priced at 1.86 billion VND. Currently, the version sold in Vietnam has reached the end of its product lifecycle and has been removed from Mazda's product lineup. At the end of 2016, Mazda only sold 79 units in the Vietnamese market, while its smaller sibling, the CX-5, was consistently in high demand.

The Mazda CX-9 has been discontinued to make way for a new version.

The CX-9 is equipped with a 3.7-liter V6 engine, producing a maximum power of 274 horsepower and 367 Nm of torque. The CX-9 has been unpopular due to its oversized engine, high fuel consumption, and high price compared to competitors like the imported Pajero Sport or Fortuner.

Touareg GP

The Volkswagen Touareg GP is priced at 2.88 billion VND in Vietnam. It's a 7-seater SUV, the largest in Volkswagen's product lineup.

The car is equipped with a 3.6-liter FSI V6 gasoline engine, producing 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and a maximum torque of 360 Nm at 3,200 rpm, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Volkswagen Touareg GP is imported from Germany, hence its high price. Photo: Volkswagen.

This model shares the same chassis as the Audi Q7 but has a more down-to-earth design. In return, the interior is extremely spacious and comfortable for seven adults on long journeys.

A notable feature on the vehicle is the 4Motion all-wheel drive system, which distributes 40% of the power to the front axle and 60% to the rear axle.

According to Zing