Australia's cheapest mid-size electric SUV now has a name and a price. The Forthing Taikon 5 lands from $36,990 driveaway, and it arrives with a twist most rivals at this money cannot match.
First deliveries start before the end of June 2026, so this is not a far-off concept. It is a car you can buy in weeks.
Why this price tag matters for buyers
Forthing is a new name here, but the money behind it is not small. The brand sits under China's Dongfeng Motor Group and is imported by Ateco, the same outfit that handles Ram, Maserati, Renault and LDV locally.
That backing matters more than the badge. A cheap car from an unknown importer is a gamble on parts and servicing. A cheap car from a distributor with an existing dealer network is a far safer bet for your money.
The hybrid version opens at $36,990 driveaway, with the fully electric model at $38,990 driveaway. Both figures are driveaway, so there are no on-road costs waiting to ambush you at signing.
Two powertrains, one sharp price
The Taikon 5 gives you a genuine choice, which is rare this far down the price list. You can pick a range-extender hybrid or a pure EV, and both versions undercut most of the established players.
The range-extender pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine making 75kW with a 120kW electric motor driving the front wheels. The engine never turns the wheels itself. It only charges the 31kWh battery, so you always drive on electric power.
That setup is the headline. Forthing claims 170km of electric range, a total range of 937km, and the engine drinks cheap 91 RON unleaded from a 43-litre tank. For buyers nervous about public chargers, this kills range anxiety without forcing you back into a full petrol car.
The pure EV uses a 150kW motor and a 64kWh LFP battery for up to 437km of WLTP range. It charges at up to 80kW on DC, taking about 30 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent.
How it stacks up against the new wave
Forthing has aimed straight at the cut-price Chinese EV pack. The fully electric Geely EX5 is almost identical in size and a key target, while the BYD Atto 2 starts lower at $31,990 and the Jaecoo J5 EV matches the Taikon at $36,990.
The Leapmotor B10 sits at $37,888, and the Leapmotor C10 is the obvious range-extender benchmark. None of those rivals gives you both a hybrid and a pure EV under one badge at this money.
That flexibility is the Taikon 5's real weapon, and it lands right in the middle of a broader Chinese price war that buyers have been winning.
What you actually get for the money
Ateco covers the Taikon 5 with a seven-year or 200,000km warranty, which is strong for the segment. Servicing falls every 12 months or 15,000km for the hybrid, and 12 months or 20,000km for the EV, though capped pricing is not confirmed yet.
At 4600mm long with a 2715mm wheelbase, it is sized like a Geely EX5, so the cabin should suit a small family. There are two trims, Luxury and Exclusive, with metallic paint the only factory option at $600.
The dealer angle to watch
This is a launch model from a brand with zero history in Australia, so early buyers effectively become the test fleet. Resale values are unproven, and depreciation on new Chinese brands has been steep in their first years here.
Push for everything in writing, especially service pricing once Ateco confirms it. Do not let a salesperson lean on the seven-year warranty to justify a soft trade-in number on your old car.
The value here is real, but it only stays real if you hold the line at the desk. Carseekers exists to keep that pressure on the dealer, not on you.
Considering finance for your next car? Loanseekers can help you explore car loan options.
The finer details
Your questions answered.
How much is the Forthing Taikon 5 in Australia?
The Forthing Taikon 5 starts at $36,990 driveaway for the range-extender hybrid and $38,990 driveaway for the fully electric version. Both prices are driveaway, so there are no extra on-road costs added at the dealership. That makes it Australia's cheapest mid-size electric SUV at launch.
When does the Forthing Taikon 5 arrive in Australia?
First deliveries are due before the end of June 2026. Forthing is imported by Ateco, which also handles Ram, Maserati, Renault and LDV, so it launches through an established local distributor network rather than a brand-new operation.
What is the driving range of the Forthing Taikon 5?
The pure electric Taikon 5 claims up to 437km of WLTP range from its 64kWh battery. The range-extender hybrid offers 170km of electric range plus a petrol generator for a total claimed range of 937km, so it suits buyers worried about charging access.
Is the Forthing Taikon 5 a hybrid or an electric car?
You can choose either. The Taikon 5 comes as a range-extender hybrid, where a 1.5-litre petrol engine only charges the battery and never drives the wheels, or as a fully electric SUV with a 150kW motor. Offering both under one badge at this price is unusual.
How does the Forthing Taikon 5 compare to the Geely EX5 and BYD Atto 2?
The Taikon 5 is sized almost identically to the Geely EX5 and targets it directly. The BYD Atto 2 undercuts it at $31,990, while the Jaecoo J5 EV matches it at $36,990. The Taikon's edge is offering both a hybrid and an EV option, which its rivals do not.
What warranty does the Forthing Taikon 5 come with?
Ateco covers the Taikon 5 with a seven-year or 200,000km warranty, which is strong for the segment. Servicing is due every 12 months or 15,000km for the hybrid and 20,000km for the EV, but capped servicing pricing has not been confirmed yet, so get it in writing.
