Family Cars

Toyotas are ubiquitous in Australia, with everything from Camrys and Corollas through to the legendary 4WD LandCruisers near-omnipresent on our roads and bush tracks.But there are some Toyotas that are sold – and popular – overseas but aren’t offered in the Australian market, and if they are offered here they haven’t achieved the sales success Toyota has hoped for. Case in point: the Tundra, while it’s much loved in the good ol’ US of A, it has achieved only middling success here.The Tundra’s sales struggle here have somewhat discouraged Toyota from bringing any other overseas models here and that’s a real shame because there are some appealing vehicles in that mix.Read on.Much respected in off-roading circles, the 4Runner – think a Surf/Fortuner mash-up on HGH (Hard-core Growth Hormone) – has been around in various iterations since 1984. Now in its sixth generation, the 4Runner comes with a 2.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine (204kW and 430Nm), or a 2.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder hybrid powertrain (240kW and 630Nm), both matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.It’s a Toyota off-roader – with part-time or full-time 4WD, drive modes and diff locks – so it’s handy in the dirty stuff, of course.Australia doesn’t need another 4WD, but the 4Runner wouldn’t go astray here.Prices in the US start from MSRP $42,270 (approx. AUD $58,700).Not as well known here, the Sequoia is a well established large SUV in the US market.This large SUV – top-spec versions tip the scales at 2790kg – is more open-road cruiser than hard-core 4WD but, having said that, it still has the mechanicals and tech onboard to traverse difficult terrain. The 2026 Sequoia is equipped with a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 hybrid (321kW and 790Nm), matched to a 10-speed auto, and is rated to legally tow up to 4309kg.Mid-range variants and upwards have part-time 4WD (with high- and low-range 4WD) and an automatic limited-slip differential.The Sequoia may struggle to find a niche here as stablemate Cruiser has that part of the market sewn up.Feeling posh? Go for the Trailhunter package, replete with an Old Man Emu upgraded suspension, Michelin LTX Trail 265/70R18 tyres, bronze-finished wheels, front recovery hooks and extra underbody protection.Prices in the US start from MSRP $68,725 for an SR5 4WD (approx. AUD $95,456).Like a baby 300 Series, only better – or at least that’s what Toyota wants you to believe.Launched in May this year, this diminutive five-seater FJ – with a 270mm shorter wheelbase than the 250 Series – has a 2.7-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engine (producing 120kW and 246Nm), a six-speed auto, part-time 4WD and an electric rear differential lock.It’s boxy and compact – it has a turning circle of 5.5m – and looks set to take on the likes of Suzuki’s Jimny in the cute-but-capable off-road stakes.A Cruiser-based but shrunken ladder-frame structure is the platform for this tough-seeming little nugget of an off-roader.Off-road angles are up there with the 250 Series and, on paper, this FJ has plenty of off-road potential.Sure, this mini Cruiser exists in a niche within a niche but we reckon it’d sell here.Prices in Japan start from 4,500,100 yen (about $40,100).Massive in America and well suited to outdoorsy life in Australia, the Tacoma is a big ute made for rough-and-tumble work and play, so why it hasn’t landed here yet its beyond us.Now available with a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four engine (producing up to 204kW and 430Nm) or a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four hybrid powertrain (producing up to 239kW and 630Nm) that’s matched to either a six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed automatic transmission.It’s built on the same chassis as the full-size Tundra and Sequoia, and gains bolstering from a Toyota New Global Architecture-F (TNGA-F) platform of high-strength steel, lightweight aluminium and laser welds. So, robust.And, of course, it’s all packed into a ute with Toyota’s reliable baked-in off-road effectiveness.TRD variants and upwards get Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control, and an electronically controlled locking rear differential as standard.Go for a Trailhunter and you get Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged monotube position-sensitive shocks with rear piggyback reservoirs, high-clearance front bumper, rock rails and ARB steel rear bumper with recovery hooks, and 33-inch rugged-terrain tires with 18-inch wheels.We know lots of people in Australia who jump at the chance to own one of these big utes.Prices in the US start from MSRP $32,545 (approx. AUD $45,203).A ute actually designed and engineered to do ute stuff? No way.The HiLux Champ – a Thailand-only vehicle – is an intriguing oddity that’s sure to fire the imagination of many a quirky car fan there and abroad.It’s a 2WD two-seater ute with a choice of three engine types – 2.0L petrol, 2.7L petrol, or a 2.4L four-cylinder diesel – and it has either a five-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic transmission. Depending on your Champ’s spec level it may have a one-tonne payload and a minimum 5.4m turning circle.Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) offers eight grades of the Champ, including short- and long-wheelbase versions, and an unequipped variant with a flat deck is available. With customisation in mind, TMT has made sure the deck has bolt holes at various locations so that custom accessories can be attached.It’s built for purpose and, on paper, certainly has a lot of appeal as a work ute and a mod-friendly vehicle.The Champ would fit right in here.Prices range from 459,000 to 577,000 baht (approx. $19,354 to $24,329).

Chinese brand Leapmotor will soon have bragging rights with confirmation that its new small SUV will be the cheapest electric SUV available in Australia.The B03X will kick off from about $30,000 drive-away when it lands in the fourth quarter of this year and it will be offered in two model grades.Full pricing and Australian specification won’t be revealed until closer to launch but this indicative pricing is a warning shot to its mostly Chinese rivals that Leapmotor is about to ramp up.The B03X is slightly shorter in length, but roughly the same width and height as a BYD Atto 2 and Jaecoo J5 EV.Currently the BYD kicks off from $31,990 before on-road costs, while the Jaecoo is $36,990 drive-away.Other potential rivals include the Chery E5 ($37,990 d/a) and the new GWM Ora 5 (from $33,990 d/a), while other small electric SUVs like the MG S6, Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia EV3 all start from in the $40,000 bracket.Leapmotor’s other small SUV, the larger B10, kicks off from $37,888 before on-road costs, leaving plenty of space for the B03X as an entry point to the Stellantis-backed carmaker’s line-up.Buyers might also look at small electric hatchbacks like the Geely EX2, BYD Atto 1 and Dolphin, which all undercut the B03X SUV.From launch the B03X is EV only, but Leapmotor International Vice President Commercial Operations Europe Danilo Annese, told Australian journalists the brand has not ruled developing a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or range extender electric vehicle (REEV) version of the B03X, if there is sufficient global demand.Annese said a number of European countries have requested a hybrid version, adding there were no limitations on the new front-wheel-drive B platform.He said the company could justify the investment if demand came from outside Europe.“Potentially, yes. It's not a measure. We hope that the countries outside Europe will be in the position to justify an investment. This is what we really look forward. If Brazil, if Australia, if Mexico will be on the projected size to justify an investment, why not?“So it does not exclude that we will look into that and try to bring something on a decent timescale. I don't know how long,” he said.Leapmotor offers both battery electric and REEV versions of the C10 mid-size SUV and B10 small SUV, but the incoming B05 hatch is EV only.A further development of the platform is expected with Leapmotor confirming at the B03X launch that it would reveal the international version of the B03 at this year’s Paris motor show in October.Dubbed A05 in China, the B03 is a light b-segment hatchback related to the B03X that will sit under the B05 hatch in its international line-up.However, CarsGuide understands the B03 is unlikely to make it to Australia given the challenges of the light hatch segment.

A cheaper Pajero 4WD could be on the cards in the future, according to the company’s local boss.The new Mitsubishi Pajero range starts at $68,490 (before on-road costs) for the base five-seat GLS grade and rises to $84,990 for the range-topping seven-seat GSR.This means it is one of the most expensive Mitsubishis ever sold in Australia.It is almost $10,000 more expensive than the cheapest Ford Everest, but about $5000 cheaper than the base Toyota Prado.Isuzu’s base MU-X is about $13,000 more affordable.Mitsubishi Australia boss Shunichi Kihara defended the Pajero’s price point.Kihara said he understood Mitsubishi has been seen as a slightly cheaper alternative to Toyota and Ford in the past, but was confident it would sell well.“I think when we launched the current Outlander there was a price gap from the previous generation, but we were able to attract many new customers," said Kihara.“So I think we can do the same with the new Pajero considering the product competitiveness and the price position we have."The new Pajero is a more premium proposition with rugged good looks, quality off-road tech and a plush interior that does put it a step above the competition at face value."This does leave room for a more bare-bones version at the bottom of the range. Mitsubishi has also not yet used the GLX grade designation - its name used for base grades of its rugged vehicles.“We decided the current line-up thinking that this line-up can address all the necessary type of customer in that segment,” said Kihara.“Of course, going forward depending on market change, customer demand, we are open to consider making changes to the line-up.”Mitsubishi won’t be able to make a decision on that anytime soon, with the vehicle only going on sale this December. Kihara did rule out a two-wheel drive version of the Pajero and called it inappropriate.Mitsubishi has hinted at a GLX grade in government filings.The homologation documents, needed to approve a vehicle for sale in Australia, cited four Pajero variants: GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR. The last three are part of the new line-up, with only GLX absent.Chinese carmakers such as BYD, Chery, GAC, GWM and Geely are all entering the 4WD space, but Kihara said the Pajero has something those do not.“Pajero has name, history, heritage and that it is the flagship of Mitsubishi,” he said.“It’s reliability, durability, Japanese design and technology — including the 4x4 technology — and also the strong heritage and history and of the adventurous spirit.”Mitsubishi Australia COO Rob Nazzari pointed to the company’s extensive dealer network, 10-year/200,000km conditional warranty and after-sales servicing as big reasons buyers would choose Mitsubishi over newer brands.

Audi has slashed the price on one of its EVs in Australia, in a win for buyers. The Audi Q6 e-tron electric mid-size SUV now starts from $89,900 (before on-road costs) - $10,000 reduction on the previous model.That means the base version is now eligible for the full FBT exemption until April 1 next year, when it reduces to just a 25 per cent FBT exemption. It also skirts under the Luxury Car Tax threshold.The SQ6 e-tron performance SUV has seen an even steeper price drop of more than $20,000, with it now starting from $129,900, compared to $151,400. Coupe variants are available from $134,900, down from $156,400, which is a $21,500 reduction as well. Updated pricing sees the 2027 Q6 e-tron priced from the same as the BMW iX3 ($89,900) and substantially cheaper than the Porsche Macan ($129,800). A sport edition variant of the currently 2026 model Q6 e-tron is available from $95,900 (drive-away) on cars ordered until October 2026. The sport edition variant is available from now until October 2026, with deliveries on the new Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron beginning in 2027. The Audi Q6 e-tron comes with a single electric motor, producing up to 215kW and 450Nm to the rear wheels.It’s equipped with an 83kWh battery, offering a driving range of up to 485km, according to WLTP standards. The SQ6 e-tron adds another electric motor and all-wheel drive, boosting performance to 380kW and 855Nm, meaning the car can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds. The car uses a bigger 100kWh battery to offer a driving range of 586km (WLTP). Both variants are capable of DC charging at more than 200kW, with a 10-80 per cent charge taking roughly 20 minutes. The Q6 can charge at 225kW, while the SQ6 can charge at 270kW.Both variants get an 11.9-inch digital driver display and 14.5-inch curved central touchscreen, along with a 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen as standard.All variants ride on 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, but the SQ6 e-tron shows off 21-inch examples. The car is fitted with sports seats wrapped in leather-appointed upholstery, with the front ones electrically adjustable and heated. It comes as standard with a 10-speaker audio system that is upgraded to a 16-speaker unit in the SQ6 e-tron that also adds a head-up display. The Q6 e-tron features a black exterior styling package as standard that sees front and rear bumpers painted in black. All variants are covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre manufacturers warranty, as well as a 12-year warranty against corrosion perforation.  

Three months with the MY26 Skoda Elroq Select 60 have come and gone in the blink of an eye.The segment-straddling, fully-electric SUV has been a pleasure to ‘own’ because of its city-friendly size that would surely make Goldilocks blush.But there is more to the Elroq story than its practicality, as its European nature should mean it is also one for the keen drivers. But is it?That is what we are going to find out in this third instalment of our long-term review of the entry-level Select 60.In part one we detailed its relatively keen pricing and surprisingly high specification, while the second explored its Euro design and aforementioned practicality. To find out more click the links directly below.Now, it is time to go for a drive before I deliver my overall verdict on the Elroq. Let’s go!Simply put, the Elroq is a joy to drive.A lot of EVs these days are not particularly engaging behind the wheel, but this Czech model flips the script with its well-balanced ride and handling.The Elroq Select 60 may lack adaptive dampers, but its MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear suspension delivers a level of suppleness over potholes and speed bumps – without being too soft like a lot of its new Chinese competitors. Some would say it is firm, but it is definitely not jarring.At the same time the Elroq maintains good body control when pushed hard through your favourite set of corners, enough that you will want to drive around them again.Handling in general is strong, offering plenty of confidence, with grip plentiful despite the rear-wheel drive set-up, which is a rarity in the small-car segment.RWD is much more fun than front-wheel drive, as you’re pushed out of corners rather than pulled, plus there is, generally, the benefit of a tighter turning circle, which is perfect for the city.The electric power steering is nice and direct, albeit on the lighter side when it comes to weighting, but I don't mind it around town, where it makes low-speed manoeuvres, like parking, much easier to execute.The steering wheel is a little too thin for my liking, but I got used to it quickly enough.The MY26 Select 60 on test here only produces 150kW and 310Nm from its single electric motor, which is a significant 60kW/235Nm short of other Elroq variants.As a result, the Select 60’s 0-100km/h sprint time of eight seconds flat is 1.4 seconds slower than the other Elroq variants, which you will certainly notice when merging onto or overtaking on the highway.But the reality is most of your acceleration in the Select 60 will be to 40-60km/h and in those instances it will feel very spritely, as most EVs do.Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels are predictably good, given the Elroq is an EV that operates almost silently.Some road and tyre noise can be heard at higher speeds, but it thankfully never drones.Where the MY26 Elroq disappoints, though, is with its regenerative braking.Two levels are on offer, with the default the equivalent to engine braking in an internal-combustion model, while the B mode for the single-speed automatic transmission offers stronger energy recuperation.That said, the B mode is still not the equivalent of one-pedal driving, which is an EV signature I have sorely missed over the past three months.Thankfully, Skoda Australia has confirmed the Elroq’s MY27 update introduces a one-pedal option, meaning new owners will be able to drive by just modulating the accelerator pedal.The performance of the friction brakes is strong, should you need to properly use the left pedal.However, the blending between the regenerative and friction braking could be better.Also, the friction brakes start to bite when the right pedal is partly depressed, which takes some getting used to.In what seems to be a shock these days, the Elroq’s advanced driver-assist systems are rather pleasant in the real world.The lane-keep and steering assist functions are relatively well measured, while the adaptive cruise control is nicely calibrated – although it is not particularly energy efficient if you are trying to maximise your driving range (more on that in a moment).There are also no incessant over-speed or driver-attention warnings to combat – hooray!That said, it is a shame surround-view cameras are unavailable in the MY26 Select 60, even as an option.And the reversing camera you do get is shockingly low-resolution, which should not be a thing in 2026.The front parking sensors are also intermittently a little too sensitive in traffic, but it is by no means a deal-breaker.In my third and final month behind the wheel of the MY26 Elroq Select 60 my average energy consumption was 15.8kWh/100km over 1068km, a slightly higher proportion of which was in the city.This more efficient environment meant that result was 0.1kWh/100km and 0.3kWh/100km better than I managed in months one and three.My three-month average was 15.9kWh/100km over 2797km, which equates to a real-world driving range of 371km, based on the MY26 Select 60’s useable battery capacity of 59kWh.That is just 24km short of the MY26 claim and still good enough for a regular urban commuter, but I would personally be paying the premium for the long-range MY26 Elroq, which promises up to 529km between charges.Acquired: May 6, 2026Distance travelled this month: 1068kmOdometer: 3755kmAverage energy consumption this month: 15.8kWh/100km

Honda has jumped onboard the serious off-road bandwagon, releasing a tougher, lifted version of its all-wheel drive Passport SUV.It has been positioned as “the most off-road-capable SUV Honda has ever built”.Designed at the Honda Design Studio in California, developed at the Honda Automotive Development Centre in Ohio and produced at its main US plant in Alabama, the fourth-generation Passport debuted for the North American market early last year.The new Passport TrailSport has been reengineered for extra off-highway ability with upgrades including:Revised suspension with 245mm of ground clearance (+35mm)Increased approach, breakover and departure clearancesExtra wheel articulationAmber hood scoop lightsMore pronounced fender flaresResculpted lower front fasciaTrailWatch camera systemGeneral Grabber A/T Sport tyresIn a launch statement Honda said, “Rather than simply adding taller springs (our) engineers comprehensively re-designed the 2027 Passport TrailSport suspension system to ensure proper geometry for desirable handling and ride characteristics, while substantially improving capability. “Nearly 70 per cent of the major suspension components were redesigned, including springs, dampers, control arms, stabilizer bars and knuckles. “The front driveshafts and front subframe were also redesigned to help facilitate the increased ride height and wheel travel. “A total of 28 suspension and related chassis parts have been redesigned, reengineered or are otherwise new for the 2027 Passport TrailSport,” it said.And Honda was keen to point out the TrailSport’s ground clearance exceeds that of its main North American competitors, the amazingly-named Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch, Subaru Outback Wilderness and Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road.At the same time, the Passport TrailSport’s TrailWatch camera system incorporates front, rear, side and 360-degree views as well as tyre placement graphics to help drivers navigate obstacles outside their natural line of sight.The Passport’s 3.5-litre, naturally aspirated V6 engine (built in Alabama) sends 213kW/355Nm to all four wheels via a 10-speed ‘shift-by-wire’ automatic transmission and Honda’s ‘i-VTM4’ variable torque management all-wheel drive system.Interestingly, the Passport TrailSport, in top-spec Elite trim, will be exported from the USA to Japan from early 2027.But sadly for Aussie off-roaders, that doesn’t mean the export cars will be produced in right-hand drive. Rather they will arrive in Japan in left-hand drive as LHD cars are legally allowed on Japanese roads without restrictions.And much as the Passport TrailSport would fill a yawning gap in Honda Australia’s local line-up, the company is on the record saying it has no plans to launch the car Down Under.

Omoda is getting serious in Australia.The Chery sub-brand has announced it will reveal its Omoda 4 and Omoda 7 SUVs on the 18th of September 2026 at the Everything Electric event in Sydney.The Omoda 4 is a small SUV that will sit at the bottom of the brand’s Australian line-up, while the Omoda 7 is a mid-size SUV, still sitting under the Omoda 9 large SUV on sale here.The Omoda 9 is currently the only model sporting an Omoda badge in Australia, but that's all about to change.This news comes after Omoda Jaecoo Chief Commercial Officer Roy Munoz confirmed to CarsGuide the brand was forced to push back its plans for Omoda 7 in Australia, with the car initially expected to arrive in 2026.“We’ll definitely be focusing more on the Omoda brand later this year and into early next year ,” Munoz told CarsGuide in June 2026.“Right now our focus is on building the Jaecoo brand, building awareness and building confidence in the market with that, but Omoda will be following suit shortly.”The Omoda 4 is just gearing up for its global launch, so official details are scarce at this stage.Omoda’s small SUV will take on the Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross in Australia, adding a new hybrid rival to the very competitive segment.The Omoda 4 measures up on the larger side of the small SUV scale.In the UK, it is expected to use a conventional hybrid set-up with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor. A fully-electric variant will follow after that.The Omoda 4 EV is currently under consideration for Australia. The Omoda 7 provides direct competition for established mid-sized SUVs, including the segment-leading Toyota RAV4 as well as the Hyundai Tucson.It will face internal rivalry from other Chery group models the Chery Tiggo 7 and Jaecoo J7, but could be more expensive than both of those models.The Omoda 7 is already available in the United Kingdom, where it is offered with the choice of petrol or plug-in hybrid power.This should provide an indication of what to expect with the car in Australia.PHEV variants employ a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor set-up, making 150kW/365Nm, while the petrol set-up uses a 1.6-litre turbo-charged engine, producing 108kW/275Nm.The petrol-powered variant will not be offered in Australia. Inside, there is a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 8.88-inch digital driver display, along with wireless 50W phone charging.Omoda has confirmed that both cars will arrive in the first half of 2027, with official pricing and specification arriving closer to its launch date.Both the Omoda 4 and the Omoda 7 will be cheaper than the Omoda 9 that starts from $61,990 (before on-road costs) in Australia.The Omoda 7 PHEV starts from 29,965 pounds or roughly $56,000, but cars in the UK are substantially more expensive than their Australian equivalent.It is more likely to be available from the low-to-mid $40,000 bracket.The Omoda 4 will be cheaper than the Omoda 7, placing it in a similar spot to the Jaecoo J5 hybrid ($34,990, drive-away).

GWM has revealed its new Land Rover Defender and Mitsubishi Pajero rival.GWM’s premium sub-brand Wey recently teased a new rugged-looking SUV called the Blue Mountain on social media.Wey is already on its way to Australia, with the V9X full-size SUV and 80 people mover expected to be the first models to launch here.A smaller V8X SUV could also be on its way, but the brand has not confirmed an arrival yet.Wey describes the Blue Mountain SUV as a “luxurious box-shaped” vehicle.It should provide competition for the Toyota Prado and the upcoming Mitsubishi Pajero.It is also likely to take on key Chinese rivals the Denza B5 and B8 that went on sale in Australia in late 2025, as well as Chery's Freelander sub-brand.Wey is GWM’s answer to Europe’s high-end luxury SUVs Mercedes-Benz GLS, Lexus LX and Range Range Rover.Wey has not revealed any technical specifications about the Blue Mountain.Its boxy design emphasises a sharp roofline that sits flush to a swing-open tailgate.It also has a spare tyre mounted to the tailgate, and large racks fitted to the roof to highlight its adventuring potential. The rear light design is split up into two separate square-like clusters on each side.Its side profile is similar to the plug-in hybrid Haval H10 that could be on the cards for Australia in the future.This means the Blue Mountain will ride on the next-generation GWM One platform, and will likely feature a powerful plug-in hybrid set-up. The design differs from Wey’s V8X and V9X SUVs that appear to be more targeted towards luxury-focused buyers. This model should provide luxury adventure-focused buyers with a potentially cheaper alternative to the Land River Defender, but expect more details before the end of 2026. GWM is still planning to launch the Wey sub-brand in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the V9X SUV and 80 people mover coming first.Those modesl will be followed by further expansion to the line-up in 2027.There is potential for the Blue Mountain to launch in Australia as part of Wey's expanded Australian line-up, but we should learn more when the brand officially launches here. 

China’s Forthing has just launched its first model in Australia and it plans to launch at least three more over the next 18 months.The Taikon 5 electric (EV) and range-extender hybrid (REEV) mid-size SUV is the brand’s first model, but it will be following it up with a people mover. It similarly will be offered with EV and REEV powertrains.This Forthing people mover will likely be the Yacht/Xinghai V6. It’s unclear what the Chinese carmaker will call this model in Australia.This forthcoming Forthing people mover will be displayed in prototype form at the Sydney Everything Electric show from September 18 to 20.Forthing has confirmed it will launch a larger SUV in 2028.It’s unclear what this model will be yet as the Chinese carmaker globally doesn’t offer any larger SUV than the mid-size Taikon 5.Beyond this, another model of an undisclosed body type is bound for Australia.Forthing Australia National Manager Shaun Garrard said the brand currently doesn’t have any ute in the works for Down Under.“There isn’t currently a ute model in the pipeline for Forthing, but again, we’re open to considering any product that Forthing wants to develop for Australia,” said Garrard.This seemingly rules out the Forthing P6 and P8 dual-cab utes that are offered in China.Forthing is a Chinese carmaker that’s part of China’s giant Dongfeng Motor Group that globally has joint venture partnerships with Nissan, Honda and Stellantis.It was introduced in China in 20001 but recently has been expanding its reach in export markets. The brand is being imported by Ateco in Australia, which also distributes LDV, Renault and Ram vehicles, among others, locally.The Forthing Taikon 5, which is currently in the midst of a trademark infringement issue regarding its name, is the brand’s first vehicle in Australia and it’s available in both EV and REEV trims. Pricing starts at $36,990 drive-away.This sees it compete directly with the likes of the BYD Sealion 6, Leapmotor C10, Geely EX5 and Starray EM-i, as well as the Jaecoo J7.

China’s Forthing has just launched its first model in Australia and it is temporarily avoiding the use of its name due to an ongoing trademark infringement issue.The Forthing Taikon 5 electrified mid-size SUV was confirmed for an Australian launch earlier this year. Due to an ongoing trademark battle, which originated in New Zealand, it is now referred to as either the Forthing Electric or Forthing Range Extender Hybrid.“We’ve taken this temporary and precautionary step in Australia due to a trademark infringement issue that’s been raised by Porsche AG in another market that alleges that consumers could mistake a Forthing vehicle for some Porsche vehicles,” said Forthing Australia National Manager Shaun Garrard.“We are flattered Porsche feels this way and that they’ve expressed such strong interest in the Forthing brand, but until the issue is resolved, we’ll focus on promoting Forthing brand predominantly, as opposed to the Taikon 5.”“Now, this is just a risk mitigation approach for our marketing and our media in Australia, so it has reduced the speed at which we've been able to get our national advertising campaign up and running in Australia.”For the time being Forthing has commenced deliveries of the Taikon 5, but on all marketing materials the Taikon 5 badging has been removed.Forthing has said it is not instructing dealers to remove the Taikon 5 badging from customer vehicles.At this stage Forthing is expecting the trademark infringement issue to be resolved by the end of 2026. However, Porsche is successful with its opposition, it may require a rename of the car in Australia.Globally versions of this car are called the Friday, Leiting, T-Five and even simply the 5. None of these names have been trademarked by Forthing in Australia yet.Forthing is part of the ginormous Dongfeng Motor Group which globally has joint venture partnerships with Nissan, Honda and Stellantis.It was introduced in China in 2001 but recently has been expanding its reach in export markets. The brand is being imported by Ateco in Australia, which also distributes LDV, Renault and Ram vehicles, among others, locally.The Forthing Taikon 5 is the brand’s first vehicle in Australia and it’s available in both electric and range-extender hybrid (REEV) trims. Pricing starts at $36,990 drive-away.This sees it compete directly with the likes of the BYD Sealion 6, Leapmotor C10, Geely EX5 and Starray EM-i, as well as the Jaecoo J7.