Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive review: big range, big value, but a few big flaws

If you asked me to pick one word that describes the Chinese automotive industry, I would probably go for “labyrinthine”. Well, that or just plain confusing. But that’s not one word.

The many twisting, winding paths that connect one brand to another - particularly when you add joint ventures with Western carmakers into the mix - is bewildering at best, and downright annoying on a bad day. Don’t even get me started on the wildly diverse number of model names for the same car when you get to a global level. Just don’t…

To that end, meet the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid, a car made by the Dongfeng Motor Group, but not distributed here by the same group that distributes the Dongfeng brand, and sold around the world as the Forthing 5, T-Five, T5 EVO, Leiting, Friday, Taikon 5 as well as the Lamari Eama, Cirelli 5, Cirelli 5sero5, EVO 6, Evolute i-Sky and SEV Friday 410.

Yes, really. But wait, there’s more: the Taikon is also built in either ICE, hybrid, BEV or super hybrid (range extender) forms, with the ICE, hybrid and EV models being front-wheel drive while the Super Hybrid is rear-wheel drive.

Anyway, keeping things mercifully more simple here, local distributor Ateco Automotive (and not Armstrongs, who handle the other Dongfeng brands) have stuck with a single model and a choice of either BEV or super hybrid propulsion (so RWD and FWD), and an aggressive amount of standard equipment across two model grades for both.

What you see here is the top-spec Exclusive Super Hybrid that pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 31.94kWh LFP battery that gives an impressive 180km electric range (WLTP) - more than 1000km overall in hybrid mode - and lands here at $44,990, putting it right it the fight for New Zealand’s cheapest super hybrid along with the likes of the Chery Tiggo 7, BYD Sealion 5 and Geely Starray.

On the outside: what are the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive's main design features?

The Taikon cuts a handsome figure, successfully sidestepping the generic look that can sometimes affect SUVs in this segment, and its pointy shark nose at the front is a refreshing departure from the more rounded, blob-like designs commonly in the segment.

At 4.6 metres long, the Taikon is a substantial vehicle, placing it firmly in the medium SUV category, and its overall handsome, inoffensive design is something that is compulsory for that segment.

The model I drove was finished in Amethyst, a deep metallic purple that looks fantastic in the metal and truly enhances the Taikon’s visual appeal. It’s a very good-looking vehicle that manages to stand out without resorting to any startling or overly aggressive styling cues.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive's cabin like?

Stepping inside, the Taikon continues its theme of being handsome and well-considered. It follows many of the expected conventions for an electrified mid-sized SUV from China, but does so with a good degree of quality and flair.

The cabin is absolutely packed with equipment for the money, and while the material quality isn't startlingly luxurious, it sits comfortably in the upper mid-range. The design is flowing and pleasant, with nice brushed aluminium-style accents on the dashboard and doors that integrate well.

The Taikon features the expected large 14.6-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however, there are some odd specifications. For instance, it has single-zone climate control, which feels like a strange omission.

Also, while the driver is treated to a 10-way electrically adjustable seat with ventilation and massage functions, the front passenger only gets four-way electric adjustment and none of the extra comforts.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive like to drive?

The driving experience in the super hybrid version of the Taikon is something of a mixed bag.

The ride quality is a definite high point; it feels comfortable, composed, and well-resolved over various surfaces, while handling is predictable for a front-wheel-drive SUV - it's not going to set your heart racing, but it’s safe and won’t catch you out with any nasty surprises. 

This is no doubt due to the fact that the Super Hybrid model gets a multi-link rear suspension set up, as opposed to the BEV’s more basic torsion beam set up. Why is yet another mystery, but the net result of this combined with the Super Hybrid’s RWD configuration is a car that has a chassis that is noticeably better on the open road than its all-electric counterpart, but with a powertrain that is significantly less capable of delivering there.

In electric mode around town, the Taikon is responsive and snappy, jumping off the line with the eagerness you want from an EV but not descending into scrappy wheelspin like its FWD EV sibling has a tendency to do. It’s here, in urban environments, where it truly shines, but on the open road, it’s a different story

Once you get above 70 or 80km/h, the powertrain becomes extremely sluggish. The Super Hybrid’s rear-mounted 120kW/240Nm electric motor is down 30kW on the electric Taikon’s front-mounted one, but the difference in the real world feels much more than that, and you wouldn't want to be attempting overtakes with any frequency.

Like other super hybrids, the 1.5-litre petrol engine never drives the wheels directly, instead functioning purely as a generator for the 31.94 kWh battery. This setup provides a claimed WLTP electric range of 183km, which in the real world proved to translate to around 170km 

This means for most people, weekly commuting will be an entirely petrol-free affair. Over a 420 kilometre trip from Auckland to Hamilton and back, which exhausted the battery, the car's display showed an average petrol consumption of 4.6l/100km, which is quite impressive for a mid-size hybrid SUV and bang on Faothing's claimed average.

The driver assists are generally subtle and effective, but the adaptive cruise control is frankly abysmal. While it works perfectly well in a straight line, it will slow the Taikon drastically on even the slightest of motorway bends. Seriously, it would happily slow down to a 60km/h crawl at the slightest hint of a bend in the road, much to the frustration of both the driver and anyone following behind.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive's warranty and servicing situation?

The Taikon Super Hybrid comes with Forthing's impressive warranty package of 7 years/200,000km for the car and 8 years/200,000km for the battery, as well as 7 years roadside assist. Service intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive?

The Forthing Taikon is an undeniably likable car, despite its flaws. For a price of $44,990, you get a well equipped plug-in hybrid SUV with a massive real-world electric range. It’s perfect for urban running - commuting, school runs, and daily errands - where it can operate as a pure EV, and rather brilliantly at that. It’s comfortable, looks great, and comes in some very appealing colours.

However, its significant lack of power at open-road speeds and its frankly infuriating cruise control are notable letdowns that hold it back from being a truly great all-rounder.

But if your driving is predominantly city-based, and you value style, comfort, and a huge amount of standard kit for your money, the Taikon Super Hybrid is a brilliant and compelling option that is well worth a look.

The biggest problem for the Super Hybrid is the BEV model that offers all the same advantages in an urban setting, without the complication of an ICE for only fractionally more money. It also has convincingly more performance at open road speeds, although it isn't quite as agile as the RWD hybrid. But then no-one buying a mid-size SUV is likely to care, or even notice that.

Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive FAQs

What kind of car is the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive?

A medium-sized family SUV

Does the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive have hybrid or EV technology?

It is a 'super hybrid' or range extender that uses its petrol engine solely as a generator to charge the battery.

What’s the fuel economy of the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive?

Forthing claims a combined average fuel consumption of 4.5l/100km for the hybrid.

Is the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive safe?

The Forthing Taikon has not been tested by either ANCAP or Euro NCAP. It features dual front front airbags, dual front side airbags and dual side curtain airbags 

What safety and assistance features does the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive have?

What are the Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid Exclusive's main rivals?

• Forthing Taikon EV Exclusive ($47,990): identical spec, better performance, fully electric for only $3k more.
• BYD Sealion 5 Essential ($43,990): superior performance, but smaller EV range and lower spec.
• Chery Tiggo 7 Ultimate ($46,990): less dynamically polished, but better powertrain and similar spec.
• Geely Starray EM-i ($45,990): considerably more EV like with a properly refined powertrain, less EV range.
• Leapmotor C10 Ultra Hybrid ($49,990): more expensive, but much higher quality and better equipped.