The new Forthing Taikon 5 will be Australia’s most affordable mid-size electric SUV, and the country’s most affordable extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) bar none. Due to arrive in showrooms from later this month (June 2026), the Taikon 5 has been priced from $36,990 drive-away in entry-level Range Extender Hybrid Luxury guise, with the BEV Luxury priced at $38,990 drive-away. The extended-range variant undercuts the recently announced EREV version of the base Leapmotor B10 Style, a smaller SUV, priced at $37,888 before on-roads. The electric (EV)
version undercuts the $39,990 plus on-roads price of the BYD Atto 3 Essential, which BYD classifies as a mid-size SUV despite it being smaller than the B10. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow Looking for your next car? We’ll help you research and compare so you choose with confidence. Both the Taikon 5 EREV and EV will also be offered in Exclusive trim, priced at $40,490 and $42,490 drive-away respectively. You can now lodge expressions of interest on the Forthing Australia
website. EV versions combine a 150kW/340Nm front-mounted electric motor with a 64kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery offering 427km of WLTP range. They can be fast-charged at up to 80kW on DC power. EREV versions, which Forthing is marketing as Range Extender Hybrid vehicles much as Leapmotor recently rebranded its ‘REEVs’ to Hybrid EVs, combine a smaller 31kWh LFP battery with a less powerful 120kW/340Nm electric motor. However, a 75kW/130Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is employed as a generator to charge the battery, providing an
electric range of 170km (WLTP) and a combined range of 937km. The battery can be charged at up to 40kW, while the engine runs on 91-octane regular unleaded fuel. The Taikon 5 measures 4600mm long, 1860mm wide and 1680-1700mm tall on a 2715mm wheelbase. For context, the new Toyota RAV4 is the same length, and measures 1855-1880mm wide and 1680mm tall on a 2690mm wheelbase. All Taikon 5s are backed by a seven-year, 200,000km warranty, though servicing intervals are 12 months or 15,000km for the
EREVs, and 12 months or 20,000km for the EVs. Local Forthing distributor Ateco Automotive, which also handles LDV, Maserati, Ram and Renault in Australia, says it has established a network of Forthing showrooms across every Australian state. All Taikon 5s have a suite of active safety and driver-assist technology, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, and traffic sign recognition. They ride on 19-inch alloy wheels and feature automatic bi-LED headlights. Inside, there’s an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
and a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as power-adjustable front seats with ventilation and massage for the driver. Leatherette upholstery is standard. Stepping up to the Exclusive brings a leather-wrapped steering wheel, surround-view camera, wireless phone charger, power tailgate, and an opening panoramic sunroof. The top spec also upgrades from a four-speaker sound system to six-speaker audio. A rare inclusion for an EV is a standard space-saver spare tyre, but only for the Exclusive variant – both
EREV grades and the base BEV Luxury miss out. Metallic paint is a $600 option. Forthing is owned by Dongfeng subsidiary Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, and offers a range of sedans, SUVs and people movers in the Chinese market. Dongfeng has joint ventures with Honda and Nissan, with the latter expected to export right-hand drive Nissans from China to Australia from next year. The Chinese automaker sells vehicles under its namesake brand, as well as Voyah – which offers premium EVs and PHEVs in markets such
as China and Europe – and off-roader brands M-Hero and Mengshi. Dongfeng-badged vehicles are already offered in New Zealand, with the Vigo small electric SUV spied testing in Australia in 2025. MORE: China’s Forthing locked in for Australia, new Toyota RAV4 rival just two months away
Forthing, Taikon 5, Australia, electric SUV, EREV, extended-range EV, BEV, Ateco Automotive, Dongfeng, 150kW 340Nm, 64kWh LFP, 427km WLTP
So wait it’s $36,990? That sounds too good like is it a scam or do they just mean before fees? lol
Australia always gets the cheaper EVs first and then we’re stuck paying way more. Also the “range extender hybrid” thing still counts as gas, right? Sounds like marketing but I’m jealous.
I don’t get why they compare it to random cars like BYD and Leapmotor like it’s apples to apples. If the EV is 427km WLTP then the battery is good, but EREV only 170km electric which is basically like having no EV. Still, 80kW charging is nice I guess.
Everybody keeps calling it “mid-size” but it’s smaller than the B10? So which is it, mid-size or not? Also $40k drive-away for an “extended range” thing… I feel like they’re gonna add some hidden fees at the dealer. 91 octane too, so you’ll be stopping anyway. Might be cool though if it actually delivers that 937km or whatever.