- Forthing SUV Buying Guide: T5 L, T5 HEV, T5 Evo & Friday Compared
- Forthing T5 Evo
- Forthing Friday EV
- Petrol vs Hybrid vs EV vs REEV
- Price Ladder: 70K to 85K AED
- Which SUV for Which Family?
- Pros & Cons
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
Forthing SUV Buying Guide: T5 L, T5 HEV, T5 Evo & Friday Compared
Forthing's SUV lineup is the brand's most varied, with five models spanning petrol, hybrid, range-extender and pure-electric powertrains between 70,000 and 85,000 AED. Whether you want a 7-seat family hauler, a sporty youth-focused crossover, or a long-range electric SUV, the T5 and Friday families cover it. This guide compares all five so you can match the right Forthing SUV to your family and driving habits.
Updated August 2026. Prices and specifications verified against Dongfeng Forthing UAE dealer data.
| Model | Body Style | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forthing T5 L | SUV | 75,000 AED | Families who need 7 seats and maximum value per dirham. |
| Forthing T5 HEV | SUV | 80,000 AED | Families who want SUV space with hybrid fuel savings. |
| Forthing T5 Evo | SUV | 70,000 AED | Young buyers who want a sporty, stylish and well-equipped SUV. |
| Forthing Friday REEV | SUV | 85,000 AED | Families who want electric SUV efficiency with range-extender flexibility. |
| Forthing Friday EV | SUV | 75,000 AED | Families who want an affordable, practical electric SUV with strong range. |
Forthing T5 Evo
Starting Price: 70,000 AED
Body Style: SUV
A sporty, youth-focused mid-size SUV with a fastback design, aggressive grille and a 1.5T turbo producing 197 hp. The T5 Evo features a dual-screen digital cockpit and youthful interior, making it the best valued Mid-size SUV in the UAE.
Key Highlights
- Sporty fastback design with aggressive grille
- 1.5T Mitsubishi-sourced turbo with 197 hp
- Dual-screen digital cockpit and youthful interior
- 7-speed DCT for sharp responses
- 5-year / 150,000 km warranty
Best for: Young buyers who want a sporty, stylish and well-equipped SUV.
Forthing Friday EV
Starting Price: 75,000 AED
Body Style: SUV
A mid-size pure electric SUV with 500 km of CLTC range and outstanding value for money. The Friday EV is ideal for families who want city electric convenience and practicality. The best valued EV Mid-size SUV in the UAE.
Key Highlights
- 500 km CLTC pure-electric range
- Best value electric mid-size SUV
- Family-friendly space and practicality
- Smart cabin with connected tech
- 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty
Best for: Families who want an affordable, practical electric SUV with strong range.
Petrol vs Hybrid vs EV vs REEV
The five Forthing SUVs map neatly onto four powertrain philosophies. The T5 L is straightforward 1.6T petrol - proven, simple and the cheapest way into 7 seats. The T5 HEV layers a full-hybrid system onto the same body for 5.8L/100km, ideal for city-heavy drivers who never want to plug in.
The Friday EV is pure electric with 500 km of CLTC range and zero tailpipe emissions, best for buyers with reliable charging. The Friday REEV is the range-extender alternative: 220 km of electric driving plus a petrol generator for 1,200 km combined, removing range anxiety for inter-emirate trips. The T5 Evo sits apart as a sporty 197 hp petrol model aimed at style-conscious buyers rather than family efficiency.
Price Ladder: 70K to 85K AED
The SUV range is unusually tightly priced. The T5 Evo and T5 L both anchor the bottom at 70,000-75,000 AED, with the Friday EV matching the T5 L at 75,000 AED - meaning a pure-electric SUV costs the same as the petrol 7-seater. The T5 HEV adds 5,000 AED for hybrid fuel savings, and the Friday REEV tops the range at 85,000 AED for its 1,200 km combined range.
This compression is the story of the lineup: for less than a 15,000 AED spread you can move from a sporty petrol crossover to a long-range electric SUV. The decision is less about budget and more about which powertrain fits your charging access and daily mileage.
Which SUV for Which Family?
Large families needing three rows should focus on the T5 L or T5 HEV, the only true 7-seaters here. City-dwelling young buyers will love the T5 Evo's sporty styling and 197 hp turbo. Families with home charging who stay mostly in the city should pick the Friday EV for its 500 km range and low running costs. Buyers who want electric efficiency but regularly drive long distances - Abu Dhabi to Dubai, or weekend trips - should choose the Friday REEV, whose 1,200 km combined range makes it the most flexible of the five.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Four powertrain options in one SUV family
- Friday EV matches the petrol T5 L on price at 75,000 AED
- Friday REEV's 1,200 km combined range eliminates anxiety
- T5 L and T5 HEV offer genuine 7-seat practicality
- 8-year battery warranty on electrified Friday models
Cons
- T5 Evo has a smaller 340 L boot
- Only T5 L and T5 HEV are true 7-seaters
- Petrol T5 models only get a 5-year warranty
| Spec | T5 L | T5 HEV | T5 Evo | Friday REEV | Friday EV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV | SUV | SUV | SUV | SUV |
| Price (AED) | 75,000 | 80,000 | 70,000 | 85,000 | 75,000 |
| Power | 190 hp | 190 hp | 197 hp | 218 hp | 204 hp |
| Powertrain / Range | 1.6T Petrol | HEV / 5.8L/100km | 1.5T Turbo / 7DCT | 220 km EV / 1,200 km combined | 500 km (CLTC) |
| Warranty | 5 yr / 150,000 km | 5 yr / 150,000 km | 5 yr / 150,000 km | 8 yr / 160,000 km | 8 yr / 160,000 km |
| Boot Space | 240-1,100 L | 240-1,100 L | 340 L | 480 L | 480 L |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Forthing SUVs have seven seats?
The T5 L and T5 HEV; the T5 Evo and Friday models are 5-seat.
Is the Friday EV or REEV better for me?
EV if you can charge regularly and drive mostly in the city; REEV if you want electric efficiency plus 1,200 km combined for long trips.
What's the cheapest Forthing SUV?
The T5 Evo at 70,000 AED.
Do the electrified SUVs qualify for the long warranty?
Yes, the Friday EV and REEV get 8-year / 160,000 km coverage.
Verdict
Forthing's SUV range is remarkable for packing four powertrains into a 70,000-85,000 AED window. The T5 L and T5 HEV are the smart 7-seat family choices, the T5 Evo adds sporty appeal for younger buyers, and the Friday EV/REEV pair lets families go electric with or without charging anxiety. For value-per-dirham and powertrain flexibility, this is one of the strongest Chinese SUV lineups in the UAE.
