Car Launch: Forthing Taikon – The new kid on the block comes with receipts 

TL;DR: The Forthing Taikon is a mid-sized SUV with hybrid and electric powertrains, offering up to 183km of EV only range (Super Hybrid) or 350-400km from the fully electric option. It combines premium styling with loads of standard equipment, and a reasonably sized boot (541 litres). Pricing starts from $39,990 and comes with a seven-year factory warranty.

China’s automotive sector continues to expand, with Forthing now entering the New Zealand market. We travelled to Queenstown for the brand’s official local launch, where it introduced the Taikon – a mid-sized SUV offered with either the Super Hybrid powertrain or a fully electric option, across two trim levels.

A division of the Dongfeng Motor Group, Forthing (known as Fengxing in China) was established in 2001 with a focus on passenger vehicles. While the Forthing brand itself is relatively young, it is backed by a company that can trace its heritage back 72 years and has joint ventures with both Honda and Nissan.

With 300 sales and service centres across 70 countries on six continents, the brand is rapidly establishing itself as a global player. In New Zealand, Forthing launched with dealerships in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch, with plans to expand into additional centres over time.

Todd Groves, General Sales Manager for Forthing NZ, says the Taikon series is just the beginning and that there are two additional models due later this year based on the same platform as the Taikon. 

Groves says, “Forthing is a brand that is growing exponentially and moving quite quickly into the global market and we’re going to see a lot of new product come over the 24 months. So, it’s going to be a really exciting journey to be on”.

Forthing has a challenge ahead; the mid-sized Taikon enters one of New Zealand’s most competitive vehicle segments. However, with demand for hybrid and electric vehicles continuing to grow, the timing is right for another keenly priced electrified option in this class.

The Super Hybrid uses an electric motor producing 120kW and 240Nm. It features a sizeable 31.94kWh battery and plug-in charging via a front-mounted port, with a claimed pure-EV driving range of 183km. With 6.6kW charging capacity, DC fast charging is said to take around 30 minutes to recharge from 30 to 80 percent.

A 1.5-litre petrol engine steps in to charge the battery, extending the driving range to around 1000km (WLTP), and it can also run on 91-octane. The petrol motor never directly drives the wheels, instead the hybrid version is rear-wheel drive with multi-link independent rear suspension, giving it a planted feel on the road.

The fully electric option uses a 150kW/240Nm motor that is paired to a 64.4kWh battery and gives it an estimated driving range of 400km (WLTP). This places it competitively within its segment, alongside rivals such as the Chery Omoda E5 (430km), Geely EX5 (430km), and MG4 (350–450km).

Charging performance is equally competitive; with a centralised charge port and 11kW on board charging, it takes around 30 minutes to charge from 30 to 80 percent using DC fast charging. The EV version is front-wheel drive and uses a torsion beam rear suspension, meaning it feels a little softer on the road and through corners than the hybrid.  

Pricing starts at $39,990 for the Luxury Super Hybrid which is our pick of the range and comes with enough features to keep you entertained. The other models are the EV Luxury ($42,990), Exclusive Super Hybrid ($44,990), and EV Exclusive ($47,990).

It is no coincidence that the Taikon looks European in design; it was designed by a German engineer, after all. The styling follows a dynamic design philosophy, with a high waistline and a technology-focused front end intended to convey safety and sportiness. Overall, it looks more premium than its price tag suggests.

The Taikon is available in two trim levels: Luxury and Exclusive. Luxury is the entry-level model, while Exclusive adds additional equipment. Key upgrades to the Exclusive include front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, an electric tailgate, and convenience features such as a panoramic sunroof and wireless phone charging.

The Taikon offers a premium interior, and despite using mostly plastic and faux leather, it still carries a luxury feel. The crystal gear lever and physical touch buttons are classy choices that elevate the overall feeling inside. The 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen is quick to respond and easy to navigate, with clear menus and large icons. The smaller digital driver display is sharp and offers a decent level of customisation of driving data.

Boot space measures 541 litres, which is more than adequate for a medium-sized SUV. Additionally, the rear seats fold completely, extending the space to 1,480 litres and transforming the rear into one continuous flat load area.

Forthing tells us that the Taikon uses high-strength steel with additional corrosion protection, applied specifically for the New Zealand market. Furthermore, the high-voltage battery has undergone more than 90 tests and features four layers of protection – including the ability to withstand being submerged in water for up to 24 hours.

The Taikon features a comprehensive safety package as standard, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, emergency braking, and lane keep assist. Although, we did not get the chance to test how these were calibrated in urban environments, on the open road, they worked nicely.

The Taikon is yet to receive an ANCAP safety rating, with Forthing planning to add additional safety features (such as driver monitoring assistant) which are essential to receiving a five-star rating. 

The Taikon is backed by Forthing’s seven-year or 200,000km factory warranty, while the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 200,000km. 

Overall, the Taikon is a polished and well-rounded new entrant in one of New Zealand’s most competitive segments. With a strong range of electric options, generous standard equipment, and excellent warranty coverage, it presents a compelling choice for buyers wanting a comfortable and efficient mid-sized SUV.