Forthing EV Lands in Australia as a Budget-Friendly Electric SUV

Forthing, a young brand supported by Chinese auto group Dongfeng, has officially entered the Australian market with its first model simply called the Forthing EV. Two trims are on offer: the BEV Luxury at $38,990 driveaway and the BEV Exclusive at$42,490. The range-topping Exclusive brings extras such as a panoramic opening glass roof, a 360-degree camera, a wireless phone charger, a power tailgate and a six-speaker sound system. Both versions share a 64.4 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery that delivers a claimed 427 km of range and can go from 30 to 80 per cent in roughly half an hour.

Behind the wheel, the Forthing EV comes across as a solidly built mid-size family SUV. Its sharp front end and sandstone paint help it stand out, and the cabin offers generous legroom for both front and rear passengers. A conventional start button, a centre-console gear selector and modest regenerative braking make the transition from a petrol car easy, and boot space is reasonable for a vehicle measuring 4.6 metres long. Notably, the Exclusive variant includes a temporary spare tyre, a rare feature among new EVs.

On Sydney roads the SUV felt composed and planted, with the ADAS suite staying unobtrusive and wireless Apple CarPlay working without dropouts. A slight wobble appeared when exiting some corners. After nearly two hours of mixed city and suburban driving, average consumption settled at 17.2 kWh/100 km. Buyers get a seven-year/200,000 km vehicle warranty, an eight-year/200,000 km battery warranty, and servicing at 12-month/20,000 km intervals costing $935 over three years or$1,815 over five.

The Forthing EV arrives as one of several new badges chasing Australia’s expanding electric market, where it will line up against established rivals like the Jaecoo J5 and Geely EX5. With its combination of a sub-$39,000 starting point, practical packaging and a long warranty, it shapes up as a compelling option for families shopping on a budget.