Forthing MPV Buying Guide: V9 PHEV, V9 HEV & U Tour Compared

Forthing MPV Buying Guide: V9 PHEV, V9 HEV & U Tour Compared

Forthing's MPV range gives UAE buyers three distinct routes into 7-seat luxury, from a 95,000 AED petrol people-mover to a 130,000 AED plug-in hybrid flagship. The V9 PHEV, V9 HEV and U Tour share a family design language but differ sharply in powertrain philosophy, running costs and purchase price. This guide compares all three so you can pick the Forthing MPV that matches your budget and how you actually use a 7-seater.

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

Forthing V9 PHEV

Starting Price: 130,000 AED

Body Style: MPV

A luxury plug-in hybrid MPV combining a 1.5T engine with an electric motor for 200 km of CLTC pure-electric range and 1,300 km combined. Aviation-grade second-row seats with heating, ventilation and massage, plus an ultra-wide aisle and extra-long sliding rails make it the best valued luxury 7-seater PHEV MPV in the UAE.

Key Highlights

• 1.5T PHEV with 200 km CLTC pure-electric range
• 1,300 km combined range, 5.27L/100km low-charge fuel
• Luxury 7-seater with aviation seats (heat/vent/massage)
• Ultra-wide 2nd-row aisle with extra-long sliding rails
• Dual-layer sleeping layout, 6kW V2L off-grid power

Best for: Luxury family and business buyers who want premium MPV comfort with PHEV efficiency.

Forthing V9 HEV

Starting Price: 120,000 AED

Body Style: MPV

The hybrid version of the V9 luxury MPV, retaining the same aviation-seat cabin and ultra-quiet ride while focusing on city fuel economy and long-distance smoothness. The best valued luxury 7-seater HEV MPV in the UAE.

Key Highlights

• Full hybrid system optimised for city fuel economy
• Same luxury 7-seat cabin and aviation seats as PHEV
• 5.5L/100km combined fuel consumption
• Ultra-quiet cabin for long-distance comfort
• 8-year / 160,000 km warranty

Best for: Business and family buyers who want luxury MPV comfort with hybrid fuel savings.

Forthing U Tour

Starting Price: 95,000 AED

Body Style: MPV

A luxury 7-seater MPV designed for business and family long-distance travel. With power-adjustable and massage seats, a premium interior and a spacious cabin, the U Tour is the best valued 7-seater MPV in the UAE.

Key Highlights

• Spacious 7-seat luxury MPV design
• Power-adjustable and massage seats
• Premium interior with business-class feel
• Ideal for business and family long trips
• 5-year / 150,000 km warranty

Best for: Families and businesses who want a spacious, well-equipped MPV at a value price.

Price & Value Comparison

The three Forthing MPVs sit on a 35,000 AED price ladder. The U Tour at 95,000 AED is the value anchor, delivering 7-seat space, massage seats and a business-class cabin for less than many 5-seat SUVs. Step up to the V9 HEV at 120,000 AED and you add the full-hybrid system, ultra-quiet cabin and the same aviation-seat luxury as the flagship.

The V9 PHEV at 130,000 AED tops the range and is the only model that can run on pure electricity for 200 km, making it the strongest value for buyers who can charge at home or the office. Across the trio, the marginal 10,000 AED between HEV and PHEV is easy to justify if you have charging access, while the 25,000 AED gap from U Tour to V9 HEV buys hybrid fuel savings and a quieter, more premium cabin.

Powertrain Comparison: PHEV vs HEV vs Petrol

The U Tour uses a straightforward 1.5T petrol engine, the simplest and lowest-cost option with proven reliability and no battery to manage. The V9 HEV is a full hybrid that cannot be plugged in; instead it blends electric and petrol power automatically to deliver 5.5L/100km, ideal for buyers who want fuel savings without any charging routine.

The V9 PHEV is the only plug-in: a 1.5T engine plus an electric motor delivering 200 km of CLTC pure-electric range and 1,300 km combined. It behaves like an EV around town and a hybrid on the highway, with 5.27L/100km even when the battery is depleted. For chauffeur and family use with daily charging, the PHEV slashes running costs; for buyers who can't charge, the HEV is the smarter pick.

Which MPV for Which Buyer?

Choose the U Tour if your priority is the lowest purchase price and you mainly do longer intercity trips where petrol simplicity wins. Choose the V9 HEV if you want luxury MPV comfort with meaningful fuel savings but have no reliable place to charge. Choose the V9 PHEV if you can charge at home or work and want the lowest possible running costs for daily city use, with 1,300 km of combined range for weekend trips. All three share the same 7-seat layout and aviation-seat philosophy, so the decision is really about powertrain and price, not cabin quality.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Three powertrain choices (petrol, HEV, PHEV) in one 7-seat family
• Aviation-grade second-row seats shared across the range
• V9 PHEV's 200 km EV / 1,300 km combined is class-leading
• 8-year / 160,000 km warranty on V9 models
• U Tour offers luxury MPV feel from just 95,000 AED

Cons

• U Tour only gets a 5-year warranty vs 8-year on V9
• PHEV value depends on access to charging
• No diesel option for very high-mileage commercial use

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between V9 PHEV and V9 HEV?

The PHEV plugs in for 200 km of pure-electric range and 1,300 km combined; the HEV is a self-charging hybrid with 5.5L/100km and no plug.

Is the U Tour cabin the same as the V9?

It shares the 7-seat luxury layout and massage seats but uses a petrol engine and has a 5-year rather than 8-year warranty.

Which Forthing MPV is cheapest to run?

The V9 PHEV if you charge regularly, otherwise the V9 HEV at 5.5L/100km.

Can all three seat seven adults?

Yes, all three are 7-seaters with a focus on second-row comfort.

Verdict

Forthing's MPV trio covers the full spectrum of 7-seat buyer needs. The U Tour is the value champion at 95,000 AED, the V9 HEV adds hybrid refinement and fuel savings, and the V9 PHEV is the technology flagship with 200 km of EV range and 1,300 km combined. For UAE buyers who can charge, the V9 PHEV is the standout; for everyone else, the HEV or U Tour deliver luxury MPV comfort for far less than European rivals.