In an Australian new-energy vehicle market rapidly approaching absolute oversaturation, launching an entirely unknown brand is a daunting prospect. Buyers are already spoiled for choice by established Chinese players, while a barrage of newcomers aggressively fights for the same driveway space.
Against this backdrop, Ateco Group – Australia’s largest and most experienced independent vehicle distributor with over 40 years of local history – has introduced Forthing, a subsidiary of the colossal Dongfeng Motor Group, and its first model for Australia, the Taikon 5. To succeed in this ruthless climate, a newcomer needs a highly compelling unique selling proposition.
Surprisingly, Forthing has found one. It might not boast the most bleeding-edge showroom aesthetics, but a drive through Sydney’s northern suburbs and up to St Ives reveals an aggressive pricing strategy and a deeply considered approach to touring comfort that could give it an edge in a crowded field.
2026 Forthing Taikon 5 REEV Luxury: Specifications
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder range-extender hybrid
Electrical: 31kWh battery, 1x electric motor
Output: 120kW / 240Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: Rear-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×7.0, 235/55
ANCAP: Not testedTare weight: 1785kg
Power-to-weight: 14.87:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 5.6L/100km
Official electric range (WLTP): 170km
Max charging DC: 40kW
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 43L/91 RON
Starting price (drive-away): $36,990
2026 Forthing Taikon 5 BEV Luxury: Specifications
Electrical: 64.4kWh battery, 1x electric motor
Output: 150kW / 340Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×7.0, 235/55
ANCAP: Not testedTare weight: 1920kg
Power-to-weight: 12.8:1 (kg:kW)
Official electric range (WLTP): 427km
Max charging AC/DC: 11kW/40kW
0-100km/h: 9.00s*
Starting price (drive-away): $38,990
*Figures based on BEV Exclusive variant, as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2026 Forthing Taikon 5: How much does it cost?
Pricing is unequivocally the tip of the Forthing spear. The four-model lineup opens at a disruptive $36,990 drive-away for the Range Extender Hybrid (REEV) Luxury. To put that into perspective, you are getting a vehicle measuring 4600mm long, 1860mm wide and up to 1700mm tall, on a 2715mm wheelbase, for the price of a conventional compact hatchback. If you want pure electric power, the BEV Luxury asks $38,990 drive-away.
Stepping up the trim hierarchy, the REEV Exclusive is priced from $40,490 drive-away, while the flagship BEV Exclusive tops out the range at $42,490. Metallic paint is the only real option at $600.
Because Ateco Group is handling the local distribution, the brand isn’t arriving half-baked. A national dealership network has already been established across every Australian state, and the vehicles are backed by a seven-year/200,000km warranty. Maintenance intervals differ depending on the powertrain; the REEV requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, while the BEV extends the distance interval to 20,000km.
Ateco has also sharpened the pencil on ownership costs. Over a five-year period, the REEV demands a highly competitive $2605 in total scheduled servicing, breaking down to $290, $515, $410, $660, and $730 at each respective annual milestone.
2026 Forthing Taikon 5: Interior & packaging
Stepping into the cabin reveals the dichotomy of the Forthing project. Aesthetically, the physical decor feels a half-step behind the latest trends of automotive design. The prominent, circular air vents protruding from the dashboard evoke a styling language that European manufacturers abandoned a few years ago, denying the cabin that ultra-minimalist, futuristic appeal currently dominating the EV sector.
However, look past that initial visual impression, and the technological integration is fundamentally solid. The dashboard is dominated by a 14.6-inch infotainment touch-screen alongside an 8.8-inch digital driver display. Crucially, the operating system is snappy and highly responsive, avoiding the sluggish latency that plagues many budget-focused interfaces, and it features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard across the range.
The undeniable unique selling proposition of this cabin, however, is the front row seating. In a market where manufacturers constantly boast about theoretical software updates, Forthing has nailed the hardware. The driver gets a 10-way electrically adjustable seat, but it is the climate and massage functions that truly stand out. Instead of prioritising heating elements, which are largely redundant for the majority of the Australian climate, Forthing has integrated seat ventilation, helping to cool the occupants on summer days.
Furthermore, the seat includes a vigorous, three-stage pneumatic massage function that operates with a depth and intensity typically reserved for six-figure German flagships. It transforms highway cruising into a genuinely therapeutic experience.
The Exclusive grade attempts to elevate the ambiance further with a panoramic glass sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power tailgate, and a 360-degree panorama camera. Yet, arguably, the base Luxury grade offers the true value sweet spot given the core comfort hardware is already present.
2026 Forthing Taikon 5: Powertrain & handling
Evaluating the two powertrains back-to-back – a champagne-finished BEV and a white REEV – highlighted a stark contrast in engineering philosophies. The BEV variant feels decidedly archaic. It utilises a 64kWh lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) battery feeding a single, front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor generating 150kW and 340Nm.
Tipping the scales at 1920kg, the front-wheel drive architecture struggles to cleanly deploy that instantaneous torque without compromising steering purity, and traction. Furthermore, the electric motor exhibits a noticeable whine under load, lacking the silent, effortless refinement that characterises the latest generation of dedicated EV platforms. With a WLTP range of 427km and a peak DC fast-charging capacity of just 80kW (taking 30 minutes to go from 30 to 80 per cent), the BEV is adequate, but it feels like a legacy product in a rapidly evolving segment.
Switching into the Range Extender Hybrid is a revelation, and it is undoubtedly the powertrain to buy. In a fascinating engineering pivot, the REEV ditches the front-wheel drive layout entirely in favour of rear-wheel drive, despite featuring exactly the same body. Propulsion comes exclusively from a 120kW/240Nm electric motor mounted on the rear axle. Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 75kW and 130Nm, but it is never mechanically connected to the driven wheels; it functions purely as a generator.
This setup yields extraordinary efficiency. A 31kWh LFP battery provides up to 170km of pure electric driving, which is more than enough to cover a week of typical suburban commuting entirely on electron power. When the 43-litre fuel tank (which happily accepts standard 91 RON unleaded) is factored in, the combined touring range stretches to 937km.
Dynamically, the REEV is far superior. By shifting the drive to the rear wheels and dropping the kerb weight to 1820kg, the chassis feels significantly more balanced and resolved through corners. The steering isn’t corrupted by torque steer, and the transition between battery power and generator assistance is entirely unobtrusive.
It makes a highly compelling case for itself as a comfortable, long-range touring vehicle that completely eliminates the infrastructure anxiety associated with regional Australian travel in a full EV. Both variants also feature a practical 3.5kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system, adding genuine utility for weekend camping trips.
2026 Forthing Taikon 5: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Aggressive $36,990 drive-away entry price drastically undercuts established mid-size SUV rivals.
- The REEV powertrain offers decent rear-wheel drive balance and 937km combined touring range.
- Outstanding front-seat ventilation and a vigorous, three-stage massage function standard on the base model.
- Snappy, responsive 14.6-inch infotainment system with wireless smartphone integration.
2026 Forthing Taikon 5: Key considerations before you buy
- The front-wheel drive BEV variant feels dynamically archaic and suffers from noticeable motor whine.
- Interior styling – particularly the prominent round dashboard vents – feels a half-generation dated compared to current minimalist trends.
- Peak DC fast-charging speeds (80kW for BEV, 40kW for REEV) fall short of the current industry standard.
- Stepping into a completely unknown brand in an oversaturated market always carries long-term resale and reliability/service support risks.
2026 Forthing Taikon 5 BEV: Video
