Forthing Taikon 5 2026: price-beating BYD Sealion 6-rival detailed in both plug-in and BEV guise ahead of Aussie debut

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Forthing, a fresh-faced Chinese challenger brand owned by Dongfeng Motor Group, hit Australian showrooms this month with its Taikon 5 SUV, which is offered in both fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrain guises.

Known as ‘Friday’ in its domestic Chinese market, the medium-sized (4.6-metre long) Taikon 5 range enters with the Range Extender Hybrid Luxury, priced from $36,990 driveaway.

The Range Extender Hybrid format leans on electric drive more than a traditional plug-in hybrid, mating a 75kW/130Nm 1.5-litre engine-generator system to power its 120kW/240Nm motor attached to the front wheels via a 31kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery.

While initially touted to offer over 1000 kilometres of combined driving range, local importer Ateco has since downgraded the Taikon 5 ‘REEV’ to 937km of “combined petrol and electric power”, with a fully charged battery bringing an electron-only range of 170km (all figures WLTP).

The same entry trim grade is offered in fully electric powertrain guise, called the BEV Luxury, for a $2000 upcharge, or $38,990 driveaway. 

The BEV version fits a single 150kW/340Nm front-driven motor, powered by a 64kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery, bringing a range claim of 427kms WLTP. 

Despite the big-battery BEV version offering twice the charging capacity (80kW plus REEV’s 40kW), both versions have a DC charging claim of 30 minutes for the “30 to 80 percent” charge, or around 42 minutes for the 10-80-percent measure.  

The Luxury specification includes the following features:

• 19-inch wheels
• Bi-LED headlights
• Adaptive cruise control
• 14.6-inch touchscreen media
• 8.8-inch driver’s display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Faux leather trim
• 10-way electric driver’s seat
• Heated/ventilated driver’s seat
• Digital radio
• Six airbags
• Four-speaker audio
• Rear parking sensors
• 3.5kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability
• Tyre inflator kit

Both powertrain formats are also being offered in high-grade Exclusive trim at a $3500 upcharge, with the Range Extender Hybrid Exclusive priced from $40,490 on road and the BEV Exclusive from $42,490 driveaway. 

Metallic paint adds $600 to all four versions.

The Exclusive specification adds the following features:

• Power tailgate
• Front parking sensors
• Rear privacy glass
• Power folding mirrors
• Wireless phone charging
• 360-degree camera system
• Panoramic glass roof
• Six-speaker audio
• Space saver spare and jack (BEV version only)

The debut Forthing lineup brings a seven-year vehicle warranty, though distance coverage is capped at 200,000 kms. 

MY26 Forthing Taikon 5: prices in Australia

All prices listed are driveaway inclusive of on-road costs.

• Range Extender Hybrid Luxury: $36,990
• BEV Luxury: $38,990
• Range Extender Hybrid Exclusive: $40,490
• BEV Exclusive: $42,490