Forthing Friday REEV 6-Month Review: Chinese Cars REEV Daily Driver

Forthing Friday REEV 6-Month Review: Chinese Cars REEV Daily Driver

The Forthing Friday REEV has been our long-term Chinese cars test vehicle for six months, and in that time it has accumulated thousands of kilometres across UAE roads from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah. Priced at 109,900 AED, this range-extended electric SUV promises 200 km of pure electric driving and 1,100 km of combined range, backed by an LFP battery that can charge from 20% to 80% in just 40 minutes on DC fast charging. As Chinese cars with REEV technology multiply in the GCC, the Friday REEV has emerged as a popular daily driver choice. This six-month review examines real-world range, charging behaviour, running costs, and whether the REEV approach genuinely works as a daily driver in UAE conditions.

Updated August 2026. Data verified against manufacturer specifications and Cartea UAE market data.

Quick Overview

Forthing Friday REEV at a Glance

Price: 109,900 AED | Body Style: Compact SUV (REEV)

The Forthing Friday REEV is a compact SUV that uses a range-extended electric vehicle architecture to combine the benefits of electric and petrol powertrains. The vehicle is primarily driven by an electric motor powered by an LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery pack that delivers 200 km of pure electric range, which is more than sufficient for the average UAE daily commute. When the battery is depleted, a 1.5-litre petrol engine acts as a generator to produce electricity, extending the total range to 1,100 km and ensuring the vehicle can be driven indefinitely even without access to charging infrastructure.

Over six months of daily use, the Friday REEV has proven to be a practical and efficient daily driver. The dimensions of 4,600 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,680 mm in height make it easy to manoeuvre and park in UAE urban environments, while the 480-litre boot provides ample cargo space for shopping, luggage, and family paraphernalia. The LFP battery chemistry is well-suited to hot climates and offers excellent cycle life, which is important for long-term ownership. The 40-minute DC fast charging time (20-80%) is competitive and means that topping up during a coffee break or shopping trip is practical and convenient.

The 8-year / 160,000 km warranty on the battery and powertrain provides exceptional peace of mind and is one of the longest coverage periods available in the UAE market. In the context of Chinese cars with REEV technology, the Friday REEV stands out for its well-rounded package: it is not the cheapest, not the most powerful, and not the most luxurious, but it combines all the essential attributes of a practical daily driver in a way that few competitors can match at this price point. The six-month ownership experience has validated this assessment.

Key Highlights

• 200 km pure electric range covers typical daily UAE commuting distances
• 1,100 km combined range eliminates range anxiety entirely
• LFP battery charges 20-80% in 40 minutes on DC fast charging
• Boot space of 480 litres is generous for a compact SUV
• Dimensions of 4,600 x 1,860 x 1,680 mm are ideal for urban driving
• 8-year / 160,000 km battery and powertrain warranty
• 1.5L range extender provides unlimited petrol-powered range backup

Best For: Daily commuters wanting electric efficiency with unlimited petrol range backup

Performance & Powertrain

After six months of driving, the Friday REEV's performance has proven to be well-suited to daily UAE use. The electric motor delivers smooth, instant torque that makes city driving effortless, and acceleration is adequate for merging onto highways and overtaking. The 1.5-litre range extender engine operates as a generator and never directly drives the wheels, which means the driving experience is always electric in character. When the engine starts, it operates quietly and at a consistent RPM, and while it is audible under hard acceleration, it never becomes intrusive during normal driving. The regenerative braking system is effective and can be adjusted through multiple levels, allowing for one-pedal driving in city traffic. Over six months, we have found that the 200 km electric range is accurate in moderate weather but reduces to approximately 160-170 km during peak UAE summer conditions due to air conditioning load, which is expected behaviour for any EV. The suspension strikes a good balance between comfort and control, absorbing UAE road imperfections without feeling overly soft. Steering is light and accurate, and the vehicle's compact dimensions make it easy to navigate tight city streets and parking structures. The brakes are progressive and confident, and the overall driving dynamics are refined for a vehicle at this price point.

Interior & Comfort

The Friday REEV's interior has held up well over six months of daily use. The cabin features a modern design with a centrally mounted touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, and quality materials throughout. The seats are comfortable for long journeys, with good support and adjustability, and the fabric/leather upholstery has shown no signs of premature wear. The front seats include heating and ventilation, which are essential for UAE summers and have been used extensively during our test period. Rear seat passengers enjoy generous legroom and headroom for a compact SUV, and the flat rear floor (no transmission tunnel) makes the middle seat usable for adults. The 480-litre boot has accommodated everything from weekly grocery shopping to airport luggage for a family of four, and the rear seats fold in a 60:40 split to expand cargo capacity when needed. Cabin storage is well-designed, with large door bins, a deep centre console, cup holders, and a glovebox. The air conditioning system has proven powerful enough to handle UAE summer temperatures, cooling the cabin quickly even after the vehicle has been parked in direct sunlight. The infotainment system remains responsive after six months of use, and the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity has been reliable. Overall, the interior has proven practical, comfortable, and durable over the test period.

Technology & Infotainment

The Friday REEV's technology package has proven its worth over six months of daily use. The central touchscreen infotainment system is responsive and features a user-friendly interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and Bluetooth. The digital instrument cluster is clear and configurable, and the REEV-specific displays showing battery state, electric range, and energy flow are genuinely useful for monitoring efficiency. The smartphone app has been reliable for remote vehicle monitoring, allowing us to check battery state, pre-condition the cabin temperature before departure (particularly valuable in UAE summer), and locate the vehicle in large car parks. The 360-degree camera system has been invaluable for parking in tight spaces, and the image quality remains clear. Voice control works adequately for basic commands in English, though complex requests sometimes require manual input. Wireless phone charging has been convenient, and the multiple USB-C ports ensure all passengers can charge devices on long journeys. Over-the-air updates have been received during the test period, improving infotainment performance and adding minor features. The head-up display projects key information clearly onto the windscreen. The premium audio system delivers satisfying sound quality for daily listening. Overall, the technology has been reliable, useful, and well-integrated.

Safety & Driver Assistance

The Friday REEV's safety systems have performed reliably over six months of use. The adaptive cruise control works well on UAE highways, maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and braking and accelerating smoothly. The autonomous emergency braking has activated once during the test period to prevent a potential collision when a vehicle ahead stopped suddenly, and the intervention was timely and appropriate. Lane departure warning and lane keeping assist are helpful on long highway drives, though the lane keeping function can be overly assertive on poorly marked roads. Blind-spot monitoring has been reliable and useful, particularly on multi-lane UAE highways. The 360-degree camera provides a clear bird's-eye view for parking, and the front and rear parking sensors have proven accurate. The driver monitoring system has occasionally issued fatigue warnings during long drives, which is a useful safety feature. The airbag system, ABS, and stability control have not been called upon (fortunately) but provide peace of mind. The ISOFIX child seat anchors are sturdy and easy to use. The LFP battery's thermal management system has maintained safe operating temperatures throughout the UAE summer, and there have been no battery-related warnings or issues. Overall, the safety systems inspire confidence and have functioned as intended.

Practicality & Boot Space

Over six months, the Friday REEV has proven to be a highly practical daily driver. The 200 km electric range has covered approximately 80% of our daily driving on electricity alone, with the range extender activating only on longer journeys or when we forgot to charge overnight. The 480-litre boot has been sufficient for all our cargo needs, from grocery shopping to family trips, and the folding rear seats have accommodated larger items when needed. The compact dimensions (4,600 x 1,860 x 1,680 mm) make the Friday easy to park in standard UAE spaces, and the light steering and 360-degree camera make manoeuvring in tight car parks effortless. Charging at home overnight has become routine, and the 40-minute DC fast charging capability has been useful for topping up during shopping trips or at public charging stations. The 1,100 km combined range means we have never experienced range anxiety, even on trips to remote areas of the UAE where charging infrastructure is limited. The cabin storage is well-designed, with door bins, cup holders, and a centre console that accommodate everyday items. The air conditioning has been powerful enough for UAE summer, and the ventilated seats are a genuine comfort feature. The ground clearance is adequate for all UAE road conditions, including occasional graded sections and flooded roads after rain.

Ownership Costs & Warranty

Six months of ownership have revealed the Friday REEV's running costs to be exceptionally low. When charged at home overnight, the cost per kilometre is a fraction of what it would be with a petrol vehicle, and we estimate fuel and electricity costs over the test period have been approximately 60% lower than our previous conventional ICE SUV. The 8-year / 160,000 km warranty provides outstanding peace of mind, and we have had no warranty claims during the test period. Service costs have been minimal, with the first scheduled service at 10,000 km being straightforward and affordable. The REEV system requires less maintenance than a conventional ICE powertrain due to the lack of a traditional multi-speed transmission and reduced brake wear from regenerative braking. Insurance has been reasonably priced. The main ownership concern remains depreciation, though the 8-year warranty suggests Dongfeng expects the vehicle to have a long, reliable service life. The LFP battery chemistry is known for excellent cycle life and thermal stability, which should help maintain battery health over the long term. Overall, the Friday REEV has proven to be an economical, reliable, and practical daily driver over six months, and the REEV approach has worked exactly as intended.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 200 km electric range covers most daily UAE commutes on electricity alone
• 1,100 km combined range provides complete freedom from range anxiety
• LFP battery with 40-minute DC fast charging is practical and durable
• 8-year / 160,000 km warranty is class-leading and inspires confidence
• Running costs approximately 60% lower than conventional ICE SUV
• Compact dimensions and 480L boot make it ideal for urban family use

Cons

• Electric range reduces to 160-170 km during peak UAE summer due to AC load
• Range extender engine is audible under hard acceleration
• Brand recognition and resale value remain unproven long-term
• Home charging infrastructure is required to maximise running cost savings

Full Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real-world electric range of the Friday REEV in UAE conditions?

In our six-month test, the Friday REEV delivered 200 km of electric range in moderate weather (October-April), reducing to approximately 160-170 km during peak summer (June-September) due to increased air conditioning load. This is expected behaviour for any electric vehicle in hot climates and the range remains more than sufficient for the average UAE daily commute of 40-60 km.

How much does it cost to run the Friday REEV compared to a petrol SUV?

Based on our six-month ownership experience, running costs (fuel and electricity combined) have been approximately 60% lower than our previous conventional petrol SUV. When charged at home overnight, the cost per kilometre on electric power is a fraction of petrol costs. Even when using the range extender, the 1.5L engine operates at peak efficiency, delivering fuel economy that rivals conventional hybrids.

How reliable has the Friday REEV been over six months?

The Friday REEV has been completely reliable over six months of daily use, with no breakdowns, no warning lights, and no warranty claims. The scheduled service at 10,000 km was straightforward and affordable. The LFP battery has maintained its capacity well, and the thermal management system has kept battery temperatures safe throughout the UAE summer. The 8-year / 160,000 km warranty provides additional confidence for long-term ownership.

Can the Friday REEV handle UAE summer conditions?

Yes, the Friday REEV has performed well throughout the UAE summer. The air conditioning system is powerful enough to cool the cabin quickly even after parking in direct sunlight, the ventilated seats are a significant comfort feature, and the LFP battery's thermal management system has maintained safe operating temperatures without any issues. Electric range does reduce by approximately 15-20% in peak summer due to AC load, which is normal for all EVs.

Is the Friday REEV a good choice as a daily driver in the UAE?

Based on our six-month experience, the Friday REEV is an excellent daily driver for the UAE. The 200 km electric range covers most daily commutes, the 1,100 km combined range eliminates range anxiety, the compact dimensions make urban driving and parking easy, and the running costs are significantly lower than a conventional SUV. The 8-year warranty provides long-term confidence, and the vehicle has proven reliable and practical for daily family use.

Final Verdict

After six months and thousands of kilometres of daily use, the Forthing Friday REEV has proven itself as a genuinely excellent daily driver for UAE conditions. The 200 km electric range has covered the vast majority of our daily driving on electricity alone, delivering running costs approximately 60% lower than a conventional ICE SUV. The 1,100 km combined range has meant we have never experienced range anxiety, even on long journeys to remote areas. The LFP battery has proven durable and thermally stable through the UAE summer, and the 40-minute DC fast charging has been practical and convenient.

The vehicle has been completely reliable over the test period, with no breakdowns or warranty claims. The interior has proven comfortable and practical, the technology has been reliable and useful, and the safety systems have functioned as intended. The 8-year / 160,000 km warranty provides outstanding peace of mind and is one of the longest coverage periods available in the UAE market. The REEV approach has worked exactly as intended, delivering the efficiency and refinement of electric driving with the security of petrol backup.

The main caveats remain the brand recognition and resale value question marks that affect all Chinese cars in the UAE, as well as the reduction in electric range during peak summer. However, these are relatively minor concerns in the context of the vehicle's overall strengths. For UAE buyers seeking an efficient, practical, and reliable daily driver, the Friday REEV is a compelling choice.

Overall Score: 8.5 / 10. The Forthing Friday REEV earns high marks for its real-world efficiency, reliability, practicality, and warranty, with minor deductions for summer range reduction and brand uncertainty. After six months of ownership, it has proven to be one of the most compelling REEV SUVs available in the UAE and a standout among Chinese cars for daily driver use.