Best Chinese REEV in UAE 2026: Forthing S7 REEV & Friday REEV

Best Chinese REEV in UAE 2026: Forthing S7 REEV & Friday REEV

Range-extender electric vehicles (REEVs) are winning over UAE buyers who want the smooth, quiet feel of an EV without worrying about charging on long trips. Forthing offers two of the best-value REEVs in the market: the S7 REEV sedan with 1,250 km of combined range and the Friday REEV SUV with 1,200 km. This guide explains REEV technology and why these two Forthing models lead the segment for 2026.

Updated August 2026. Prices and specifications verified against Dongfeng Forthing UAE dealer data.

Forthing S7 REEV

Starting Price: 100,000 AED

Body Style: Sedan

An award-winning range-extended electric sedan with 185 km of CLTC pure-electric range and 1,250 km combined. The S7 REEV's exterior design won three international awards, and its range-extender eliminates range anxiety entirely. The best valued REEV sedan in the UAE.

Key Highlights

• 3 international design awards for exterior styling
• 185 km CLTC pure-electric range, 1,250 km combined
• Range-extender eliminates range anxiety
• Mid-to-large sedan with smart driving assists
• 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty

Best for: Buyers who want EV efficiency with zero range anxiety in a stylish sedan.

Forthing Friday REEV

Starting Price: 85,000 AED

Body Style: SUV

A family-focused range-extended electric SUV with 220 km of CLTC pure-electric range and 1,200 km combined. The Friday REEV provides flexible range and practical space for family use. The best valued REEV Mid-size SUV in the UAE.

Key Highlights

• 220 km CLTC pure-electric range, 1,200 km combined
• Range-extender for flexible long-distance driving
• Family-focused electric SUV with practical space
• Smart driving assist features
• 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty

Best for: Families who want electric SUV efficiency with range-extender flexibility.

REEV vs PHEV: Key Differences

Both REEVs and PHEVs combine a battery and a petrol engine, but they use the engine differently. In a PHEV like the Forthing V9 PHEV, the petrol engine can drive the wheels directly at higher speeds, blending electric and petrol power. In a REEV like the S7 REEV and Friday REEV, the engine never drives the wheels - it only acts as a generator to recharge the battery, so the car always feels fully electric.

This gives REEVs a uniquely smooth driving experience, with instant electric torque at all times. PHEVs can be slightly more efficient on long highway cruises because the engine drives the wheels mechanically, but REEVs win on refinement and simplicity of feel. For buyers who prioritise EV-like smoothness with petrol-backed range, REEV is the more elegant solution.

Range Comparison: 1,250km vs 1,200km

The S7 REEV sedan offers 185 km of pure-electric range and 1,250 km combined, while the Friday REEV SUV offers 220 km of pure-electric range and 1,200 km combined. The Friday REEV actually has more electric-only range (220 km vs 185 km) thanks to its SUV packaging, while the S7 REEV edges ahead on total combined range.

In practice, both cover a week of city driving on electricity alone and then add petrol-backed range for inter-emirate trips. The 50 km difference in combined range is negligible for most buyers; the real choice is body style - sedan refinement with the S7 REEV, or family-SUV practicality with the Friday REEV. Both deliver over 1,200 km of total range, more than enough for any UAE journey.

Why REEV Eliminates Range Anxiety

Range anxiety is the fear of running out of charge far from a charger, and it's the main reason some buyers hesitate to go fully electric. REEVs solve this completely: the S7 REEV and Friday REEV drive like EVs around town but carry a petrol generator that extends total range to 1,200-1,250 km. You never need to plan around public chargers, because a petrol fill-up restores full range in minutes.

For UAE buyers who drive long distances - Dubai to Abu Dhabi, weekend trips to the Northern Emirates or beyond - this is the ideal powertrain. You get the low running costs and smoothness of electric driving for daily use, with the total range and refuelling convenience of a petrol car. That combination is why REEVs are rapidly becoming the smart choice for range-anxious buyers, and why Forthing's pair leads on value.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 1,200-1,250 km combined range eliminates range anxiety
• Always drives like a pure EV (engine only generates electricity)
• 220 km (Friday) / 185 km (S7) pure-electric range for daily use
• 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty
• Sedan and SUV body styles both available

Cons

• Carries a petrol engine that may be rarely used
• Slightly less efficient than PHEV on long highway runs
• Higher purchase price than pure-petrol equivalents

Frequently Asked Questions

What does REEV mean?

Range-Extended Electric Vehicle - the car is driven by an electric motor, with a petrol engine that only generates electricity to extend range.

Do I ever need to charge a REEV?

You can charge for cheap electric daily driving, but you don't have to - petrol extends range to 1,200-1,250 km.

Which has more range, S7 REEV or Friday REEV?

The S7 REEV has slightly more combined range (1,250 km vs 1,200 km), while the Friday REEV has more pure-electric range (220 km vs 185 km).

What warranty do the REEVs get?

8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty on both.

Verdict

For UAE buyers who want electric driving without range anxiety, Forthing's REEV pair is the best-value choice for 2026. The S7 REEV sedan covers 1,250 km combined, the Friday REEV SUV 1,200 km, and both drive like pure EVs with petrol-backed peace of mind. With 8-year battery warranties and 185-220 km of daily electric range, they make going electric effortless.