The Forthing Taikon 5 is arriving in showrooms from later this month, when it will be available as either an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) – marketed as a Range Extender Hybrid – or a pure electric vehicle (EV).
The Toyota RAV4-sized SUV has become Australia’s cheapest mid-size electric SUV, and the cheapest EREV of any kind in the Australian market.
EREVs remain rare here, unlike in China, and despite offering the extra flexibility of a petrol engine to charge the battery, the Taikon 5’s EREV variants are cheaper than the equivalent EVs.
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The range opens at $36,990 drive-away for the Range Extender Hybrid Luxury, with the electric version costing an additional $2000. Likewise, the Range Extender Hybrid Exclusive is $40,490 drive-away, with the EV costing an extra $2000.
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.
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.
Pricing
Model | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
2026 Forthing Taikon 5 Range Extender Hybrid Luxury | $36,990 |
2026 Forthing Taikon 5 BEV Luxury | $38,990 |
2026 Forthing Taikon 5 Range Extender Hybrid Exclusive | $40,490 |
2026 Forthing Taikon 5 BEV Exclusive | $42,490 |
Drivetrains and Efficiency
The EREV uses a smaller battery than the EV, but both are claimed to take approximately 30 minutes to charge from 30 to 80 per cent.
All Taikon 5s feature vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing you to power external electrical appliances at up to 3.5kW.
| Specifications | Range Extender Hybrid | BEV |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl | – |
| Engine outputs | 75kW + 130Nm | – |
| Electric motor outputs | 120kW + 240Nm | 150kW + 340Nm |
| Battery | 31kWh lithium iron phosphate | 64kWh lithium iron phosphate |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 1820kg | 1920kg |
| Electric driving range (WLTP) | 170km | 427km |
Total combined range (WLTP) | 937km | – |
| Max DC charge rate | 40kW | 80kW |
| Fuel tank capacity | 43L | – |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded | – |
Dimensions
The Forthing Taikon 5 is sized almost identically to the new Toyota RAV4.
| Dimensions | Range Extender Hybrid | BEV |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4600mm | 4600mm |
| Width | 1860mm | 1860mm |
| Height | 1700mm | 1680mm |
| Wheelbase | 2715mm | 2715mm |
Servicing and Warranty
The Taikon 5 is backed by a seven-year, 200,000km warranty.
Service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km for EREV variants, and 12 months or 20,000km for EV variants.
Forthing Australia is yet to announce any capped-price servicing program.
Safety
The Forthing Taikon 5 has yet to be assessed by independent auto safety authority ANCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Safe exit warning
- Traffic sign recognition
- 6 airbags (front, front-side and curtain)
- Rear parking sensors
- Reversing camera
- Tyre pressure monitoring
The Exclusive adds front parking sensors and a surround-view camera.
Standard Equipment
There are two trim levels in the Taikon 5 lineup, both of which can be had with either the EV or EREV powertrain.
The base Luxury comes standard with the following equipment:
- 19-inch alloy wheels in 235/55/R19 tyres
- Bi-LED headlights
- 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- AM/FM radio and DAB+ digital radio
- 4-speaker sound system
- 10-way power driver’s seat with ventilation and massage
- 4-way power passenger seat
- Height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel
- Electric park brake
The Exclusive adds:
- Space-saver spare (EREV only)
- Power tailgate
- Opening panoramic sunroof
- Rear privacy glass
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- 6-speaker sound system
- Wireless phone charger
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Metallic paint is a $600 option.