Dongfeng Forthing U-Tour

Inside, the Dongfeng Forthing U-Tour features a nice cabin that looks very premium for its price. There is an abundance of soft-touch materials all around. For a more luxurious feeling, the Noble variant comes with an Atmosphere ambient lighting system with multiple color options. Its leather seats are well-padded–providing good cushioning and ergonomics for everyone on board. The Noble variant’s seats come with adjustable winged headrests, as well as cooling and heating functions. 

For entertainment and information accessibility, this MPV is equipped with a 10.25-inch LCD touchscreen, which has a Carbit link interface and a USB external source with a charging function. The Noble variant’s infotainment is linked to a 6-speaker sound system, whereas the Luxury variant gets the 4-speaker counterpart. Meanwhile, drivers are given an elegant-looking cockpit that offers a 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster, a 4-way adjustable leather-wrapped multifunctional steering wheel, and an electronic gear shift with manual mode.

In terms of convenience and functionality, this MPV comes with six USB Type-A ports (front: 1, mid: 3, rear: 2), three 12V accessory ports (front: 1, mid: 1, cargo area: 1), and a mobile phone holder mounting port. It has a panoramic sunroof, which is perfect for younger passengers who want an IG-worthy lighting.

In terms of dimensions, the Dongfeng Forthing U-Tour measures 4,850 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,715 mm in height. This MPV has a 2,900 mm wheelbase. 

From the outside, the Dongfeng Forthing U-Tour features a classy-looking exterior design, which can set you apart from other drivers on the road. At the front, it has a very bold demeanor courtesy of its huge black grille with a lighted ‘Atmosphere’ logo, which slightly resembles Lexus’ spindle grille. Its sleek automatic LED headlamps along with DRLs give it a nice, distinctive flare at night. 

On the sides, it has a classy silhouette accentuated by chrome outlines and elegant-looking 3-toned 18-inch alloy wheels for the higher trim, Noble. Meanwhile, the lower trim, Luxury, gets the two-toned version of the wheels. The higher trim gets automatically-folding side view mirrors for a more premium touch. Aside from these, it also has a very modern back end that is illuminated by a sharp through type LED taillamp. Overall, the Forthing U-Tour’s appearance exudes just the right mix style and functionality on the road.

In terms of suspension, the Dongfeng Forthing U-Tour utilizes a MacPherson independent type at the front, while a Trailing-Arm Torsion Beam with Coil Spring at the rear. Thanks to this suspension setup, you and your passengers will be able to enjoy a comfortable and very agile cruising experience both in the city and on the highway. It also absorbs bumps and other road imperfections quite well. However, since its suspension setup is tuned more for comfort than performance, its steering lacks a bit of response or feedback when driving at high speeds. That said, when using this MPV, you should hit turns or corners with extra precaution. But, overall, the Forthing U-Tour is comfortable to maneuver for its size.

The Dongfeng Forthing U-Tour is powered by a 1.5L turbocharged gasoline engine (DVVT) that has a maximum power output of 197 PS and a maximum torque of 285 Nm. It is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission system and utilizes a front-wheel drivetrain. This MPV comes with three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport.

This car might not be the fastest in its segment, but it has enough power and torque to overtake slower vehicles on free-flowing highways. In the city, it runs smoothly and quietly. It also delivers a decent fuel economy, making it a practical daily vehicle for families within Metro Manila.   

This MPV uses ventilated discs for front braking, while solid discs for the rear. The braking setup is supported by an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, hydraulic brake assist, hill start assist, hill descent control, and an electronic stability program.  

In terms of safety, the Dongfeng Forthing U-Tour Noble variant comes with multiple advanced driver assistance systems such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning system, blind spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, door opening warning, and an intelligent high beam control. In contrast, the Luxury variant does not come with any ADAS but is equipped with a reverse camera with sensors, driver and passenger airbags, as well as second and third row seatbelts.

When talking about features, the Dongfeng Forthing U-Tour is definitely one of the most well-packed within its segment and price range. It has a high potential to become more competitive in the future if the brand addresses this MPV’s current flaws and shortcomings (e.g., the Luxury variant’s lack of any ADAS).