High Value, Easy Driving – Forthing T5 Makes Every Drive a Pleasure

In the current Automotive market, the overall trend for passenger vehicles is showing a decline, and compact SUVs, which are the mainstay of the passenger vehicle segment, are no exception. In the face of an increasingly competitive market, what strategies should automakers adopt to stand out? For consumers, the key considerations when purchasing a vehicle are affordability, ease of driving, rich features, and spaciousness.Forthing T5 is a perfect example of a vehicle that excels in all these areas, combining impressive overall strength and value. Let’s take a closer look at the performance of this vehicle.

Forthing T5 is positioned as a compact SUV, and the new model is now available for pre-sale. In addition to exterior and interior styling adjustments, Forthing T5 has also undergone significant upgrades in terms of configuration. The vehicle is equipped with two powertrains to meet the needs of different consumers: the Mitsubishi 1.5T/6AT and the 1.6L/5MT, both meeting the stringent National VI-B emission standards.

Power Performance: Satisfying Household Needs

Forthing T5 offers two engine options: a 1.6L engine and a 1.5T engine, both of which comply with the National VI-B emission standards. The 1.6L engine delivers a maximum power of 90kW (122hp) at 6000rpm, with a peak torque of 151Nm at 4000rpm, and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The 1.5T engine, on the other hand, produces a maximum power of 115kW (156hp) at 5000rpm, with a maximum torque of 230Nm from 1750 to 4600rpm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The performance of the 1.5T turbocharged engine is commendable, with smooth power delivery and minimal lag. The transmission pairing is highly responsive, making Forthing T5 a vehicle that’s easy to drive.

Forthing T5 offers excellent low-end torque, providing a smooth and effortless experience at low speeds. During acceleration, the turbo engages around 1000rpm, offering a noticeable push. While the power output isn’t aggressive enough to cause the typical “push-back” sensation, it remains smooth up to speeds of 80km/h, giving drivers confidence when overtaking or changing lanes.

It’s also worth noting that Forthing T5 is equipped with Bosch's 9.1 version of the ESP system and features multiple intelligent active safety systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, a 360-degree panoramic view, semi-automatic parking, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, smart driving recorder, and tire pressure monitoring. These features significantly enhance driving safety.

The test vehicle uses an electric power-assisted steering system. The overall performance is standard—while the steering may not be extremely precise, the differences are minimal, and the steering style is light, making it easy for drivers, including women, to adapt quickly.

Chassis and Handling

Forthing T5 uses a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension (with a torsion beam non-independent rear suspension in the 1.6L model). The suspension tuning is well-balanced, with an emphasis on comfort. Minor road imperfections are effectively absorbed. However, when cornering, the vehicle shows noticeable body roll, and slight bouncing occurs when driving over speed bumps or rough surfaces. Despite this, Forthing T5 manages road undulations quite well.

In terms of NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness), Forthing T5 performs admirably at 60km/h, but at higher speeds, wind noise becomes more noticeable, and engine noise is transmitted into the cabin during acceleration.

Exterior Design: Emphasizing Youthful and Personalized Style

The exterior design of Forthing T5 has been updated with new two-tone color combinations such as red-black and black-white, complemented by a floating roof design. These stylish features are aimed at appealing to younger consumers. The most notable change is in the front grille area, where the traditional chrome strips are replaced by a distinctive cross-pattern grille. The combination of arrow-shaped LED daytime running lights and fang-style fog light accents, along with chrome trims on the upper and lower grille, gives the front a bold, aggressive look.

In terms of dimensions, Forthing T5 measures 4460mm in length, 1820mm in width, and 1720mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2720mm.

At the rear, Forthing T5 adopts the popular full-width tail light design, which provides excellent visual effects and recognition. The black panel below the rear bumper prominently displays the "FORTHING" emblem.

The two-tone alloy wheels differ from the previous model, with the test vehicle featuring Yokohama GEOLANDAR tires, which prioritize fuel efficiency and noise reduction, in size 215/55 R18.

Interior: The Center Console Screen as a Highlight

The interior of Forthing T5 features a minimalist dashboard layout that’s slightly tilted toward the driver for better ergonomics. The use of large red/black two-tone soft materials enhances the cabin's premium feel and sporty ambiance.

The 7-inch full LCD instrument cluster offers clear display, although there may be some glare on the sides. The flat-bottomed four-spoke steering wheel offers a solid grip, although its size could be considered slightly large. The steering wheel is adjustable for both height and reach, and it features multi-function buttons to control multimedia, Bluetooth, and cruise control.

The 12-inch central touchscreen is responsive, with excellent display clarity. However, the screen does exhibit some glare. Forthing T5 comes equipped with the upgraded Forthing FutureLink 3.0 connected car system, which integrates Tencent's TAI intelligent system. It offers navigation, Bluetooth, voice control, and more. Through voice commands, drivers can control various functions such as the air conditioning, seat heating, music, navigation, windows, sunroof, and ambient lighting. The only downside is that some functions may have slight delays when activated.

Beneath the touchscreen, a row of physical buttons offers a satisfying tactile feel with responsive feedback.

The seats throughout the vehicle are upholstered in a red/black leather material with extensive cross-stitching, adding to the sporty and premium feel. The seat cushions are soft and feature lumbar support, providing a high level of comfort.

Space and Practicality

Forthing T5 excels in space and practicality. As a 167cm tall tester, the front seat offers ample space, with over a fist’s worth of headroom. In the rear, headroom remains generous, with one fist and four fingers of clearance, while legroom is more than sufficient, offering half an arm’s length of space.

The trunk space is also quite impressive, with a depth that allows for more storage capacity. The rear seats support a 4/6 split-folding arrangement, expanding the boot capacity from the standard 515L to 1560L when folded, further enhancing the vehicle’s storage ability.

Conclusion

Forthing T5 offers excellent overall performance, from its attractive exterior and spacious interior to its advanced technology features. This high-value 5-seat SUV is highly competitive in the compact SUV market, and its market performance is expected to be strong, thanks to its high level of practicality and value for money.