Forthing V9

Cabin

The V9's cabin has a formal layout built around screens and seating comfort, which puts it among the more tech-heavy interiors in the people-mover class. Right at the cockpit, you see a 41-inch triple-screen display spread across the dashboard.

An additional smart screen is built into the armrest. The triple-screen setup is paired with a Snapdragon 8295P processor, according to the vehicle's equipment information. Other tech includes a head-up display, voice control, and an air purification and fragrance system. Leather upholstery and ambient lighting further enhance the cabin feel. The panoramic sunroof is motorised and has an electric sunshade.

This means it can be opened to let in light and closed to reduce direct sunlight, which is useful in July when the UAE sun can make a glazed roof uncomfortable.

Front Seat and Rear Seat

• Heated, ventilated, and massage seats add comfort, with power adjustment allowing occupants to find their preferred position without manual effort.
• The driver's seat has a memory function, storing up to two seating profiles. This is useful when multiple drivers use the car.
• Forthing describes the seats as aviation-grade and configurable, with reclining functions designed to improve comfort for rear passengers on longer drives.
• The long 3,018 mm wheelbase helps provide room for all three rows, although third-row comfort will depend on passenger height and how the middle row is positioned.
• Seating is arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration. The middle row is likely to be where most adults prefer to sit on longer journeys because of the easier access and available legroom.

Climate Control

Automatic climate control is fitted, with rear AC vents and air quality control. An air purification and fragrance system adds a more premium touch to the cabin air. Rear ventilation is particularly useful in the UAE, where it is important to keep passengers in all three rows comfortable during summer. However, actual cooling performance will depend on the outside temperature, cabin occupancy, and how the system is set.

Cabin Charging

• A wireless phone charger is fitted, helping keep compatible phones charged without cable clutter.
• USB charging ports and a 12V power outlet provide options for charging devices and powering accessories.
• Remote-controlled windows and the sunroof allow the cabin to be prepared before getting in. This is useful after parking in the sun, although cooling time will depend on the outside temperature and AC settings.

Storage

• Cup holders in the front and rear provide space for drinks during daily commutes and family trips.
• Bottle holders in the doors provide additional space for water bottles.
• A centre-console armrest with storage underneath helps keep small personal items within reach.
• Door pockets and other storage areas provide space for everyday items such as tissues, toys, and charging cables.

Battery Charging

Premium PHEV:

• Uses a 34.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.
• Supports external charging from a compatible home or public charging point.
• A standard AC charging session can take around 11.5 hours under the stated conditions, so overnight charging is the more practical option.
• DC fast charging from 30% to 80% takes around 30 minutes under the stated test conditions.
• The LFP battery chemistry is designed for good thermal stability, although battery performance and longevity still depend on temperature and charging habits.

Exclusive Hybrid:

• Does not plug in or charge externally.
• Uses a 2 kWh hybrid battery.
• Recovers energy through braking and coasting.
• Relies on the petrol engine alongside electric assistance, rather than offering a substantial electric-only driving range.

Hybrid Range and Fuel Economy

• The Premium PHEV has a claimed electric-only range of up to 160 km under the stated test cycle. The petrol engine supports longer journeys when the battery charge is low. Actual range will vary with speed, traffic, AC use, and driving style.
• The Exclusive uses a simpler hybrid system with no plug-in capability. Its electric motor assists the petrol engine, particularly during acceleration and stop-start driving. Actual fuel economy will depend on driving conditions, so it should not automatically be assumed to be better than the PHEV in every situation.

Boot Space

The V9 has a power tailgate, and the third row can be folded to open up the load area. A spare wheel, first-aid kit, and fire extinguisher are included in the equipment list.

The manufacturer quotes boot capacity starting at around 593 litres, with the available space increasing substantially when the rear seats are folded. The exact capacity depends on seat configuration and the measurement method used.

The load area behind the third row is where seven people and their bags on a trip to Hatta will compete for space, so it pays to check it with the third row up.

Looking at the safety equipment, you quickly find out that the V9 has features usually found in more expensive cars. There are airbags as standard, including dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags, and front-to-rear curtain airbags.

• Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (AEB), designed to help reduce the risk or severity of a collision.
• Lane departure warning with lane deviation correction, providing visual cues and audible alerts.
• Traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control, which can help the driver monitor speed limits and maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead.
• A 360-degree panoramic view system and rear camera to help with parking and manoeuvring.
• Blind spot monitoring and lane change assistance to help alert the driver to vehicles in adjacent lanes.
• Body stability control, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, traction control, and hill-start assist.
• Front side airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, and ISOFIX child-seat anchors.
• Automatic hold to keep the vehicle stationary when stopped, along with an electric parking brake.

Front

Forthing calls the front design a Chinese Knot, a styling idea taken from traditional Chinese knotwork. It shows up as a large, wide grille with chrome trim. The slim LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights frame it, giving the V9 a bold, upright face that suits a car this size. The frontal design is wide, accommodating the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine underneath. The electric components of the Premium PHEV are integrated into the vehicle, including its battery and charging system, while the front design remains largely unchanged between the Exclusive and Premium variants.

Side Profile

At 5,251 mm long and 1,920 mm wide, the V9 is by all means a big car. Its 3,018 mm wheelbase is the main reason the cabin can hold three rows. One key element of its side profile is the power sliding doors, which open up access to the second and third rows. This is a big help in a tight parking bay. The electric sliding doors also make getting in and out easier for children and older passengers. The height of 1,820 mm means the V9 is taller than a typical sedan but lower-slung than a traditional SUV. This balances aerodynamics with interior headroom.

Alloy Wheels

The V9 gets 19-inch alloy wheels, which Forthing calls Flame Wheels, and 245/45 R19 tyres. These tyres are large for an MPV, giving the car a sportier stance than most family-oriented people movers. The 45-series sidewall is a compromise between ride comfort and handling. However, the relatively low sidewall can allow more road feedback from bumps and potholes to reach the cabin, which some families may find less comfortable on rough roads.

Rear

The LED tail lamps run across the back, and a rear spoiler finishes the tailgate. A power tailgate is fitted, so loading luggage with full hands does not require struggling with a heavy door. The power tailgate also has a memory function, allowing the opening height to be set. This is convenient when loading regularly in a garage or carport with limited overhead clearance.

Colors

• White (Moonlight White)
• Black (Starry Night Black)
• Purple (Star Purple)

The three shades are Moonlight White, Starry Night Black, and Star Purple. White is a sensible choice for UAE summers, while purple is the one that stands out in a car park. Purple is a less common factory colour for a family MPV, as most rivals stick to more conventional shades.

City Performance

A 5,251 mm-long MPV makes its first impression in tight spaces, and the V9 comes with the aid to deal with them.

• The power sliding doors suit a crowded car park, where a conventional door could hit the next car.
• A 360-degree panoramic view system and parking camera make it easier to manoeuvre a car this long.
• On the Premium plug-in version, EV mode lets the car run on battery power for suitable school runs and errands, keeping the petrol engine off when conditions allow.
• The Exclusive Hybrid has no plug, so in stop-start traffic the electric motor works alongside the petrol engine rather than acting as an externally charged power source.
• Massage and ventilated seats can make a long wait in rush-hour traffic on the Al Garhoud Bridge more comfortable for everyone.

Highway Performance

On the open road, the V9 is targeted at comfort over long distances, with a hybrid system designed to balance petrol and electric power.

• The 60-litre fuel tank in the Exclusive provides capacity for inter-emirate runs such as Dubai to Al Ain, while the Premium PHEV can switch between electric and hybrid driving.
• Adaptive cruise control and lane deviation correction can ease a long, straight drive, with blind spot monitoring helping on busy roads around Jebel Ali.
• Traffic sign recognition and AEB provide additional assistance in heavy traffic on Emirates Road, where speed limits and traffic conditions can change.
• Heating, ventilation, and massage functions help improve passenger comfort on a long family trip to Ras Al Khaimah.
• Overtaking a slow truck on the highway is where the combined output of the petrol engine and electric motor should help, although a full cabin of seven passengers adds weight.

Ride and Handling

Forthing aims for the V9 at comfort, and its long wheelbase and large wheels suit a people mover designed for longer journeys.

• The 3,018 mm wheelbase should help the V9 feel settled on the road, while the 245/45 R19 tyres, with their relatively low sidewall, may transmit some bumps into the cabin.
• Handling is more about ease and predictability than sportiness. A tall people-mover body can lean during quick lane changes, while the front-wheel-drive layout is suited to everyday family driving.
• The 5,251 mm length makes the V9 big to manoeuvre in a tight car park, so the 360-degree camera and parking aids are useful.
• Body stability control, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, and brake assist support braking and vehicle control, while auto hold takes the strain out of waiting at a signal.

Exclusive is the regular hybrid, which runs a petrol engine with electric assistance and does not plug in. It includes the V9's main comfort and technology features, including the 41-inch triple-screen display, massage seats, a 360-degree camera, and adaptive cruise control.

Premium is the plug-in hybrid, with a 34.9 kWh battery and external charging. It offers electric-only driving for suitable daily journeys, in addition to hybrid operation for longer trips.

Zigwheels Recommendation

The right choice depends on how each family plans to use the V9. The Exclusive is ideal for families without a home charger, since it provides the V9's space and comfort without the need to plug in. The Premium suits households that can charge at home and want to use battery power for daily school runs and commutes.

The V9 makes it clear that Forthing wants to offer a big, ambitious people mover that outcompetes its rivals.

The cabin is impressive, with a triple-screen dashboard, massage seats, and sliding doors that make it feel more like an executive lounge than a family bus. On top of this, the choice of hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains gives it an efficiency angle that many full-size MPVs do not offer.

There are already well-established rivals in the segment, and the V9 has plenty of equipment to compete with them. However, it still needs to build its presence in the market. As Forthing is a relatively young name in the UAE, the V9 has to earn buyers' trust through its reliability, dealer support, and ownership experience.

Despite that, in a class dominated by familiar names, it is a confident and slightly elegant attempt to change what a people mover can be. It certainly deserves the attention of buyers looking for a spacious and well-equipped family vehicle.

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