Forthing Taikon 5 vs Subaru WRX

What's the difference?

We’re entering the second half of 2026 and the rollout of new Chinese brands in Australia shows no sign of slowing.

The latest is Forthing, a brand from China’s massive Dongfeng Motor Group which has joint ventures with Nissan, Honda and Stellantis.

Forthing's first model in Australia is called the Taikon 5, a mid-size SUV offered in both electric (EV) and range-extender hybrid (REEV) guises.

Although customer deliveries have just begun, the rollout has been bumpy. Forthing is currently in the middle of a trademark dispute with Porsche over the Taikon name.

Porsche alleges Taikon is too similar to Taycan.

While this dispute is ongoing, Forthing is publicly referring to the car as the Electric and Range Extender Hybrid.

Forthing is hoping to have a resolution by the end of 2026, but if Porsche is successful in its opposition, the company may need to rename the car.

The Subaru WRX – do we even need to introduce this iconic beastie at all? With its rally winning roots to being a legend in its own suburb, the ‘Rex’ is a sports car that’s affordable and fun – although the one we’re testing here is one of the pricier versions: the WRX tS Spec B.  

So what is a tS Spec B? Well, the old king of the WRX world – the STI – was retired at the end of the previous generation. Now this new grade – the tS Spec B – is the new WRX monarch. 

So does this mean the tS Spec B has more superpower than the rest of the line-up? Does it have a bigger engine? How much more does it cost? Does it have a manual gearbox? So many questions – the answers are below.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by CarsGuide.com.au (@carsguideaus)