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It’s deja vu another time, with Foton relaunching within the Australian market after a failed try a couple of years in the past.
Whereas I by no means had the pleasure, the earlier Foton Tunland ute – launched in 2012 – is remembered with combined emotions, relying on who you ask. The car was definitely constructed to a worth, however nonetheless gained many over, little question because of its Cummins-sourced diesel engine.
Regardless, the Foton Tunland was quietly the butt of trade jokes after it arrived. And fewer quietly after it left.
Now, with new automobile manufacturers flooding the market and Aussies seemingly extra open to the thought of a Chinese language ute, Foton has returned – with industrial car consumers firmly in its sights.
Earlier than you scoff, it’s value saying up entrance that Foton isn’t making some sort of half-hearted try at re-entry. It’s an entire new period for the corporate, and these automobiles bear no resemblance to earlier generations.
Foton utes are additionally now imported by Inchcape Automotive, which is the native distributor for Peugeot, Deepal, and Subaru. So it’s secure to say they’ve an excellent understanding of the Australian market and what consumers anticipate.
The all-new Tunland has launched with two essential dual-cab 4×4 pickup variants, the V7 and the V9, and whereas they share most issues in widespread, there are a couple of key variations it’s essential to know.
Unusually, the V7 and V9 have distinctly totally different front-end designs, with the V7 showing prefer it may have rolled off a Ford F-Sequence manufacturing line, whereas the V9 has taken greater than a contact of inspiration from the Ram 1500 pickup.
The V9 additionally sports activities black bolt-on wheel-arches, ala Holden Torana SLR5000.
Regardless of the V7 showing at a look just like the bigger car – to my eyes, not less than – each variants are primarily based on the exact same dual-cab ute physique, and share the identical tail-lights and inside.
The Tunland can be bigger than a typical dual-cab ute, splitting the distinction between one thing like a Ford Ranger dual-cab and a full-size US pickup just like the Ford F-150.
However right here’s the important thing: the V7 has leaf-spring rear suspension designed to deal with barely larger payloads, whereas the V9 has a multi-link coil-sprung association out again, offering higher trip and dealing with.
So, V7 is figure, V9 is play, based on Foton.
Then there are three grades past that: the V7-C – in each 4×2 and 4×4 – the V9-L 4×4, and the range-topping V9-S 4×4.
We spent about 24 hours testing the brand new Tunland vary throughout all kinds of circumstances – from metropolis driving, site visitors jams, highways, suburban driving, nation areas, winding mountain roads, gravel roads, and on actual four-wheel drive tracks within the Victorian Excessive Nation.
Maintain onto your hats, people, as a result of this may occasionally simply be the largest shock of 2025.
How a lot does the Foton Tunland value?
The 2026 Foton Tunland vary is priced between $39,990 and $49,990 earlier than on-road prices, with a complete of 4 mannequin grades obtainable from launch.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 Foton Tunland V7-C 4×2 | $39,990 |
| 2026 Foton Tunland V7-C 4×4 | $42,990 |
| 2026 Foton Tunland V9-L 4×4 | $45,990 |
| 2026 Foton Tunland V9-S 4×4 | $49,990 |
To see how the Foton Tunland traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
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What’s the Foton Tunland like on the within?
Some automakers on the worth finish of the spectrum have cottoned onto the actual fact they will make interiors that look spectacular in images, however can cheapen out on supplies and construct high quality within the hope that consumers gained’t discover till it’s too late.
That isn’t the case with the Foton Tunland.
It is a very spectacular cabin, not solely by way of format, but in addition within the supplies used and the way in which it’s been constructed. It is a properly screwed-together automobile, and I genuinely imply at any worth level.
We’re speaking a couple of faux-leather inside with distinction stitching, brushed aluminium, good plastic trims, a good multimedia display screen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay, and loads of buttons to rapidly entry what you want – and switch off what you don’t.
I discovered the ergonomics to be significantly good, taking simply seconds to search out my most popular seating and steering positions.
The bigger dimension of the Tunland means tonnes of area to loosen up in up entrance, and loads of room for 2 or three adults within the second row.
Not carrying passengers? Flip the 60/40-split rear bench seat up for a flat flooring, and stick your 12-volt fridge in there for simple entry.
Just like the Tunland, my physique proportions are additionally bigger than most, and I discovered the entrance seats had been greater than accommodating.
Having stated that, the entrance seats – handbook within the V7, electrical within the V9 – are a bit of on the agency facet, with my passenger complaining their legs had fallen asleep after about an hour of using shotgun. My ageing backbone additionally appreciates a bit of additional lumbar help, which you solely get within the V9-L and V9-S.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying these seats are uncomfortable, however there’s positively scope for enchancment.
Sadly, two of the V7s we drove had a minor rattle emanating from the motive force’s door/window mechanism, sounding very very like a free clip.
The steering wheel is simply the best dimension, has a good-looking design, and has loads of shortcut buttons in addition to paddle-shifters behind for manually altering gears on the fly.
Consumers solely get dual-zone local weather management, heated entrance seats, and a wi-fi smartphone charger from the V9-L and above.
These wanting ventilated entrance seats, heated rear seats (outboard), and an enormous panoramic sunroof must fork out for the range-topping V9-S. Then once more, we’re nonetheless speaking lower than $50,000 for all of the fruit.
The infotainment system, whereas moderately intuitive, can generally take a minute or two to load up Apple CarPlay, and among the digital buttons – like these to pick steering mode – require absolute precision earlier than they register. Which implies it’s mainly not possible to make use of except you’re driving on marble.
It was a bit of disappointing to find there’s no DAB+ digital radio as commonplace, so younger tradies must stream Triple M Nation from their telephones as an alternative.
| Dimensions | Foton Tunland V7 | Foton Tunland V9 |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 5617mm | 5617mm |
| Width | 2000mm | 2090mm |
| Top | 1910mm | 1955mm |
| Wheelbase | 3355mm | 3355mm |
| Tub | 1577x1650x530mm | 1577x1650x530mm |
To see how the Foton Tunland traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
What’s underneath the bonnet?
All Tunland fashions are powered by the identical 2.0-litre ‘Aucan’ turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine co-developed with Cummins – full with 48-volt mild-hybrid expertise, and mated to an eight-speed computerized transmission from ZF.
| Specs | Foton Tunland |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L turbo-diesel 4cyl with 48V mild-hybrid system |
| Energy | 120kW @ 3600rpm |
| Torque | 450Nm @ 1500-2400rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto |
| Drive kind | Rear- or four-wheel drive |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 8.0L/100km |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | 211g/km |
| Gasoline tank | 76L |
| Weight | 2190-2315kg |
| Payload | 995-1115kg |
| Braked towing capability | 3500kg |
| Gross car mass (GVM) | 3305-3335kg |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) | 6805-6835kg |
The model says the Aucan engine has been examined for ‘B10’ sturdiness to 500,000km – that means 90 per cent of engines are anticipated to exceed that mileage.
To see how the Foton Tunland traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
How does the Foton Tunland drive?
Regardless of its bigger dimension, the Tunland by no means got here throughout as being too massive, arduous to park, or tough to put on the highway.
In actual fact, I’ve pushed smaller dual-cab utes that really feel extra intimidating on the highway than the Foton ever does.
Whereas it’s not fairly evening and day, there’s a noticeable distinction between the suspension on the V7 and the V9.
We had been fortunate sufficient to pattern the V7 each laden and unladen, and like most workhorse utes with leaf-sprung suspension, there’s an enormous enchancment in consolation as soon as there’s not less than a couple of hundred kilos of weight within the again.
Empty, the V7 does have a harsher trip, choosing up larger bumps within the highway. Nevertheless, it’s by no means insufferable and continues to be fairly respectable for what it’s, probably helped by the longer wheelbase of the Tunland.
It’s a courageous automobile firm that launches a ute on the tight winding roads of the Black Spur and Reefton Spur – arguably the very best driving roads close to Melbourne – however the Tunland was surprisingly good round corners for its dimension, with its steering providing an amazing steadiness between weight and suggestions.
Frankly, it was the steering that regularly impressed me, every time I jumped again behind the wheel.
Nevertheless, pushing an unladen V7 on the Black Spur – for science, you perceive – uncovered roughly a dozen circumstances when the entrance suspension produced a loud clanging sound, virtually as if the entrance springs had been reseating after a decent nook underneath load.
Regardless of a couple of raised eyebrows, the Foton continued to carry out properly and nothing appeared damaged.
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Step into the V9 and there’s a marked distinction in on-road consolation, because of the extra subtle multi-link coil-spring rear suspension setup.
Foton describes it as providing SUV-levels of consolation, which is one thing near the reality.
The automobile’s superior driver-assistance programs (ADAS) appeared to work properly, in a lot because the automobile by no means aggravated me with beeping or flashing lights whereas I used to be driving.
All fashions include the identical 265/70R18 Giti 4×4 tyres, which supplied an excellent quantity of traction on highway and off.
Off highway, the Toton Funland confirmed robust potential, with the low-range gearbox – its selectable digital 4×4 system being sourced from BorgWarner – permitting you to take advantage of all 450Nm to drag the massive ute up steep, slippery hills.
Hill descent management works properly to get the massive ute down the opposite facet slowly and safely, whereas the paddle shifters permit the motive force to vary up a number of gears whereas remaining in low-range.
The Tunland’s 360-degree cameras got here in helpful whereas exploring bush tracks, and whereas the ‘clear chassis’ function isn’t fairly as subtle as these from different manufacturers, it does provide help to navigate round massive rocks and thru tight areas.
This isn’t a comparability, to make certain, however having simply stepped out of a Kia Tasman, I’ve to say the Foton Tunland delivers preferable on-road dynamics, and seems prefer it may match the Tasman off-road too.
Blindfold anybody and put them behind the wheel (really, don’t do this) and I promise you they may suppose they’re behind the wheel of far costlier car.
The engine isn’t a powerhouse, however there’s good efficiency for day by day driving and lightweight off-roading – however push the Foton such as you’re in a Ranger Raptor and it merely runs out puff. Drive sensibly, although, and it’s completely sufficient.
The ZF-sourced computerized was unbelievable, and helped get essentially the most from the turbo-diesel engine in a relaxed method. In handbook mode, it’s additionally doable to pick a gear, and it gained’t robotically upshift when the engine hits redline. Massive tick.
| Off-road dimensions | Foton Tunland |
|---|---|
| Floor clearance | 240mm |
| Strategy angle | 28 levels |
| Departure angle | 26 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 21 levels |
| Wading depth | 700mm |
To see how the Foton Tunland traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
What do you get?
The Tunland vary may be very properly outfitted, with the entry-level V7-C 4×2 coming with most options wanted for drivers in 2026, whereas the range-topping V9-S 4×4 provides extras usually reserved for automobiles at a a lot larger worth bracket.
2026 Foton Tunland V7-C 4×2 tools highlights:
- Spray-in tub liner
- Freeway Terrain tyres
- Eco, Commonplace, Sport drive modes
- Digital parking brake
- Auto maintain
- Automated LED headlights
- Built-in sprint cam
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 2 x entrance USB-A retailers
- 4-speaker sound system
- Single-zone air-conditioning
- 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- 4-way manually adjustable passenger seat
The V7-C 4×4 provides:
- 4-wheel drive system
- Sand, Mud, Snow modes
- Locking rear differential
- All-terrain tyres
The V9-L 4×4 provides:
- Multi-link rear suspension
- ‘Premium’ facet steps
- ‘Premium’ 18-inch wheel design
- Sports activities bar
- Lockable tray
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- Heated entrance seats
- 6-way energy driver’s seat with 4-way lumbar
- 4-way energy passenger seat
- Twin-zone local weather management
- 6-speaker sound system
- 2x rear USB-A retailers
- 220V/300W energy outlet
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
The V9-S 4×4 provides:
- Locking entrance differential
- Roof rails
- Rear privateness glass
- Panoramic sunroof
- Ventilated entrance seats
- Driver seat reminiscence
- Heated outboard rear seats
- LED rear studying gentle
- Auto up/down for all energy home windows
To see how the Foton Tunland traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
Is the Foton Tunland secure?
The 2026 Foton Tunland has not been rated by the Australasian New Automotive Evaluation Program (ANCAP) on the time of publication.
Commonplace security tools for the Foton Tunland vary consists of:
- Six airbags
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian and bicycle owner detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep help
- Lane centring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Encompass-view digital camera
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Secure exit warning
- Visitors signal recognition
Foton Tunland V9-S 4×4 provides:
To see how the Foton Tunland traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
How a lot does the Foton Tunland value to run?
The Tunland comes with Foton’s 7/7/7 aftersales program, which equates to a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee, seven years of capped-price servicing, and 7 years of roadside help.
| Servicing and Guarantee | MAKE MODEL VARIANT |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 7 years (topic to vendor servicing) |
| Service intervals | 15,000km, 12 months |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years, 110,000km |
| Common annual service value | $641.80 |
| Whole capped-price service value | $4492.59 |
With service intervals each 15,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first), the entire value of upkeep is $4492.59 over a seven-year interval.
Nevertheless, not like another capped-price service program, Foton has reserved the best to regulate pricing sooner or later.
To see how the Foton Tunland traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the Foton Tunland
The 2026 Foton Tunland is a vastly spectacular dual-cab ute – even at double the worth.
Regardless of the big selection of environments we sampled, our time with the Tunland vary was restricted to only 24 hours, so there could also be foibles or faults that come to the floor after we get one in for a extra in depth overview.
However preliminary impressions recommend the Foton Tunland may very properly be the very best dual-cab 4×4 ute available on the market for lower than $50,000 – lastly dethroning the KGM Musso from South Korea. Time will inform.
For many who want the additional seats of a dual-cab however don’t want four-wheel drive, the V7-C 4×2 is tremendous spectacular for lower than $40,000. Simply match a metal cover to the bathtub to get some preload into the rear suspension, and luxuriate in.
For people who do enterprise off highway, the Tunland V7-C 4×4 is outstanding worth for $42,990 earlier than on-road prices, and feels just like the candy spot within the vary.
Younger tradies who’ve completed their apprenticeship and need to improve their wheels ought to take observe.
Actually although, any of the 4 grades comes throughout as a discount.
If it wasn’t apparent at this level, the 2026 Foton Tunland makes an enormous impression. The inside, driving dynamics, and value-for-money are next-level, to the purpose the place the mannequin may put a critical dent within the gross sales of established gamers just like the Mitsubishi Triton, GWM Cannon, LDV T60, and even the forthcoming Nissan Navara.
It’s an thrilling time, significantly for worth ute consumers, with the market now providing a number of robust decisions – and the all-new Foton Tunland guarantees to be some of the thrilling.
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