Born in China
There Forthing T5 Evo it is a medium SUV made by the Chinese giant Dongfeng (there is a petrol one, like the one in the test, but also bi-fuel LPG or full hybrid). 457 cm long, has a sporty and modern look and stands out for bold solutions, such as the large front grille with vertical slats, the ribs in the bonnet and the thin LED daytime running lights placed high up (the main ones are lower down, on the sides of the bumper ). The 19″ wheels are accompanied by a bold rear end, dominated by four eye-catching exhaust pipes.
Plastics are not convincing
Inside, the eco-leather (with red contrast stitching) of the seats, the door armrests and the cabinet between the seats stands out. A lot, however rigid plastic: it is found above all in the central tunnel on two levels (large, but bulky and with an induction charging plate hidden in the lowest part) and in the dashboard. The latter is embellished with a band that recalls carbon and incorporates the “climate” vents, which open and close by rotating the round frame that surrounds them.
Full-width screens
The multimedia system of Forthing T5 Evo It consists of two 10.3″ screens, cantilevered over the dashboard. The digital dashboard is clear, well integrated with the steering wheel controls and quite customizable. The same cannot be said of theinfotainmentwhich only has four icons (from the look a little dated) and does not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (not even if you pay). Just below the main screen are the physical controls of the powerful “climate” single zone, which is easily managed by the two wheels to regulate the temperature and air flow. The panoramic roof divided into two parts makes the passenger compartment airy, contrasting with the black of the roof and the pillar coverings.
Space abounds
The undoubted strong point of this Chinese SUV is thehabitability. The flat sofa (but with a hard back) accommodates three passengers with a certain comfort, leaving (even for those who are taller than average) plenty of space in length and height. The flat floor favors those sitting in the centre, who can easily access the USB-A socket for the smartphone, behind the cabinet. On the back of the seats there are also convenient pockets and a useful retractable bag hook. In addition, the seat belts for those traveling behind are held in place by practical straps located on the backrest of the sofa. The trunk It has regular shapes and has a practical double bottom for the spare wheel, but large bulges on the sides limit its capacity and usability. The motorized tailgate is standard.
Better in maneuvering than in sprinting
There Forthing T5 Evo it is powered by a 4-cylinder 1.5 turbo petrol developed by the Japanese Mitsubishi, which develops 177 HP (same power as the LPG version). The exchange it is instead robotic a double clutch with seven gears, with rather fluid and rapid shifts. The response to the accelerator, however, is not immediate. When tackling curves with panache, however, you notice a little too much roll. The light steering makes maneuvering easier, as do the perimeter sensors and cameras with 360° views. In addition, the generously sized side mirrors help you take measurements of the car more quickly.
Well equipped
There Forthing T5 Evo It features semi-autonomous driving as standard, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, door opening while keeping the key in your pocket, mirrors that close automatically and a motorized tailgate; after the two periods required by law, the warranty extends up to five years or 150,000 km. The petrol version of the test is already available in accredited multi-brand dealerships and costs money 32,900 euros. The same goes for the gas “twin”, offered at 1,600 euros more (34,500 euros). To take home the T5 Hev (full hybrid, with 75 horsepower electric motor and always the dual clutch gearbox) you will spend 37,900 euros.
