Forthing Friday, a Chinese entry-level hybrid crossover that falls in the compact C-segment category. However, it’s not a conventional hybrid; it’s an REEV, also known as a series hybrid vehicle. Unlike a regular hybrid, which can operate on either electric power, gasoline power, or a combination of both, an REEV uses only an electric motor to drive the wheels, with a small gasoline engine working solely as a generator to recharge the battery when needed.
Given its compact crossover category, comparable fuel economy, and hi-tech features, including ADAS, we believe it directly competes with the MG HS PHEV. Let’s see what Forthing Friday brings to the table and whether it can compete with existing competitors in this 1-1 direct comparison.
Note that this is an on-paper 1-1 comparison and doesn’t include any subjective opinion or market resale factor.
Engine and Performance
Both vehicles utilize advanced hybrid-electric systems, but the MG HS offers higher total output and quicker acceleration compared to the Forthing Friday. However, the Friday offers a notably greater pure electric range and significantly better fuel economy.
| Feature | MG HS PHEV | Forthing Friday |
| Engine | 1.5 Turbo Hybrid | 1.5L Hybrid |
| Max Power | 280 HP | 204 HP |
| Max Torque | 480 Nm | 340 Nm |
| Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic | DCT |
| Electric Battery | 16.6 kWh | 31.94 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range | 50+ km | Extended range (unspecified) |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.1 seconds | 10.9 seconds |
| Fuel Efficiency (Combined) | 58.8 km/L | 62.5 km/L |
Dimensions
Dimensionally, both vehicles share similarities, with the MG HS having slightly more trunk space and a marginally shorter wheelbase compared to the Forthing Friday, which is slightly lighter and has better ground clearance.
| Feature | MG HS PHEV | Forthing Friday |
| Dimensions (L×W×H mm) | 4610 × 1876 × 1685 | 4600 × 1860 × 1680 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2720 | 2715 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | Approx.145 | 180 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 37 | 43 |
| Trunk Capacity (L) | 448 | Unspecified |
Interior Features
The Forthing Friday offers an extra two driver’s seat adjustments and includes a massage function for the front seats. However, MG HS offers electric 4-way adjustment on the passenger side, whereas Forthing Friday has manual adjustment and features an auto-dimming mirror and a larger standard digital cluster. But Friday provides an optional larger instrument cluster.
| Feature | MG HS PHEV | Forthing Friday |
| Seat Material | Leather | Leatherette |
| Seats Adjustment | All-Electric, Driver 6-way + Lumbar & Passenger, 4-way |
Driver 8-way, Electric + Lumbar & Passenger, 4-way, Manual
|
| Heated + Massage Seats | Heated, Front only | Heated + Massage, Front only |
| Air Conditioning | Dual Zone | Dual Zone |
| Instrument Cluster | 12.1″ | 10.25″ or Upgraded option for 14.6″ |
| Speakers | 6 | 6 |
| Auto-dimming Mirror | Yes | Yes |
| Infotainment | 10.1″ | 10.1″ |
| Connectivity | Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Apple CarPlay / Android Auto |
Exterior Features
Both cars have almost similar on-paper specs on the exterior side; the only difference is in the rim size and side mirrors, where Friday takes the lead with 1″ bigger rims than HS PHEV with an auto-folding feature on side mirrors.
| Feature | MG HS PHEV | Forthing Friday |
| Headlights | LED | LED (with height adjustment) |
| Sunroof | Panoramic | Glass roof with electric sunshade |
| Automatic Headlights | Yes | Yes |
| Side Mirrors | Electric, heated | Electric, heated, auto-folding |
| Rims | Alloy 18″ | Alloy 19″ |
| Tailgate | Electric | Electric |
| Rain Sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
Safety Features
Both models are equipped with a full ADAS package. However, the HS PHEV provides six airbags versus four in Friday; Friday takes the lead due to its fully automatic parking system.
| Feature | MG HS PHEV | Forthing Friday |
| Airbags | 6 (Front, side, curtain) | 4 (Front, side) |
| Blind Spot Detection | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | Full ADAS Package | Full ADAS Package |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive | Adaptive |
| ISOFIX Anchors | Yes | Yes |
| Parking Assist | Yes | Yes, Fully Automatic Parking |
Let us know what you think about this comparison.
Finally! This is something I have been talking about for some time now. EREV or RE-EV (Extended Range EV or Range Extended EV) and PHEVs are the current best options for Pakistan because of the non existent EV charging network in the country.
EREVs/RE-EVs have all the benefits of PHEV and by design are simpler. In a PHEV, you have the engine connected to the tires via a gear box and both the ICE and electric motor drive the wheels. In an EREV/RE-EV only the electric motors is connected to the wheels and the ICE only acts as a charger and power generator. It is not connected to the wheels in any way, thus simplifying the design. Less things to go wrong.
I would also like to see that BYD does NOT squander its presence in Pakistan. It has some really good PHEVs using its very efficient DM-I technology. The ones it need to bring to Pakistan are:
The BYD Seal 5 DM-i with a TESTED 1600KM of combined range
The BYD Sealion 5 DM-i with 1000KM of combined range
The BYD Sealion 6 DM-i with a TESTED 1600KM of combined range
Introducing a PHEV Dhala is not the right move in my book. Good for a small niche segment of buyers but overall not the best for a mass market offering. I hope BYD addresses this ASAP!
For more Luxury EREV offerings BYD can introduce its U8 SUV and Dongfeng can bring in the M-Hero. Two of my very favorite SUVs and extremely capable especially the BYD U8. 👍
Agreed to Ali Khan. Nowadays EVs cum SUVs are raining 🌧️ and where and would it stop needs to be addressed. A lot of speculations and assumptions are there and time would tell who’s the winner 🏆!