Dongfeng Forthing M5 BEV

The Dongfeng Forthing Lingzhi M5 EV (widely known in the market as the Dongfeng Forthing M5 BEV) is an all-electric medium MPV from Dongfeng Forthing's established Lingzhi stable. With a long-standing presence in China’s MPV segment, the Lingzhi range has amassed over 800,000 unit sales to date. Introduced around 2021 as the marque's electrified offshoot, the Lingzhi M5 EV prioritises practicality, commercial utility, and value for money, catering largely to fleet operators, logistics providers, and commercial users focused on low operating costs. As of June 2026, the latest model on sale is the 2025 variant, with official retail pricing spanning between RM109,800 and RM196,900. Key rivals in this space include electric commercial MPVs such as the SAIC Maxus MAXUS EV80 and the Ford Transit New Energy.

Design Language

Styling-wise, the Lingzhi M5 EV retains the classic silhouette of its internal combustion engine (ICE) siblings, sporting a restrained and purposeful aesthetic. Up front, it features the brand's signature inverted trapezoidal grille layered with multi-slat chrome garnishes for added visual presence. Dimensionally, the MPV measures 5,135 mm in length, 1,720 mm in width, and 1,995 mm in height, riding on a 3,000 mm wheelbase. Its tall posture and upright lines maximise interior packaging efficiency. The rear is clean and functional, fitted with vertical tail lamp clusters typical of commercial people-movers.

Inside, the cabin takes a distinctly no-nonsense, utilitarian approach. The dashboard sports a two-tone layout with a darker upper half and a lighter bottom section, giving it a neat, business-like ambience. The steering wheel is finished in moulded plastic, complemented by an 8-inch central touchscreen infotainment display offering essentials such as Bluetooth connectivity. On the whole, the interior trim is straightforward and rugged, staying true to its workhorse credentials.

Powertrain and Performance

The entire Lingzhi M5 EV range employs a rear-mounted single electric motor layout, available in two states of tune. The mainstream specification is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 150 kW (204 PS) and 340 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the logistics-oriented "Urban Transport Edition" is driven by an entry-level motor outputting 70 kW (95 PS). Power is transferred to the wheels via a single-speed reduction gear transmission.

Energy is stored in a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, with cells supplied by Sunwoda. Pack capacities are rated at 59.5 kWh and 67.5 kWh depending on the variant, returning CLTC-rated range figures of 410 km, 420 km, and 460 km. DC fast charging is supported across the range, taking approximately 35 minutes to juice up from 0% to 80% state of charge (SoC). Top speed is capped between 100 km/h and 120 km/h.

Chassis and Handling

Under the skin, the Lingzhi M5 EV runs on a rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) architecture. Ride is managed by an independent double-wishbone setup at the front and a rigid leaf spring non-independent setup at the rear—a staple configuration in commercial haulers aimed at heavy load capacity. Steering is handled by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) rack. Stopping power comes courtesy of front ventilated discs paired with rear drum (or solid disc) brakes, alongside an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). It rides on 215/65 R16 tyres.

Cabin and Practicality

In terms of seating accommodation, the Lingzhi M5 EV can be had in multiple passenger formats, including 7-seater and 9-seater layouts to suit different transport operations. The seats are upholstered in durable synthetic leather. Over on the passenger side (left/right kerbside), it is fitted with a manual sliding door for straightforward passenger ingress and egress. Cabin cooling is managed by a manual air-conditioning system. The boot compartment offers modular flexibility, accommodating either passenger luggage or cargo delivery demands with ease.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Safety-wise, standard kit across the range includes dual front airbags (driver and front passenger), a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) display, a reverse camera, and rear parking sensors. Fundamental active safety aids include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Notably, the Lingzhi M5 EV eschews Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) entirely, sticking strictly to baseline safety necessities.

Market Reception and Verdict

The Lingzhi nameplate enjoys deep heritage in China's commercial vehicle sector, previously ranking sixth overall in MPV sales in 2019. On the electrification front, the Lingzhi M5 EV has similarly clinched accolades, including top seller in the medium-to-large multi-purpose electric van segment. While intensified market rivalry has led to sales fluctuations—recording 459 units in a single month in 2025, for example—owner feedback remains largely positive regarding its massive cargo room and minimal running costs.

The key highlights of the Lingzhi M5 EV include: cavernous cabin volume credited to its over 5.1-metre overall length and 3.0-metre wheelbase, a maximum CLTC range of up to 460 km well-suited for regional commutes, robust hauling and gradeability from its RWD layout, and competitive pricing starting from RM109,800. Trade-offs, however, are obvious: the cabin is heavily dominated by hard plastics, in-car tech is rudimentary, advanced ADAS is absent across the board, and ride refinement as well as NVH levels lag noticeably behind dedicated passenger MPVs. On balance, the Lingzhi M5 EV stands as a purpose-built commercial EV; delivering on its premise of "generous space, usable range, and low operating overheads," it represents an honest, bottom-line-driven choice for commercial operators.