The Tunland is back! Foton returns to growing Aussie ute market to lock horns with Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max

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After six years, Foton’s Tunland nameplate is being thrust out of retirement to shake up one of Australia’s biggest segments, this time as a hybrid. 

Set to launch imminently in Q3, the Tunland will be available solely in dual-cab form, with no mention yet of a single-cab or cab-chassis down the pipeline. It starts at $39,990 (list) and is split into two grades; V7 and V9.

Each grade is split further into two variants – 4×2 and 4×4 for the V7, and ‘L’ or ‘S’ for the V9. The most expensive model, the V9 ‘S’ starts at $49,990, before non-white paint is optioned. 

This means the base variant Tunland contends with some of Australia’s cheapest dual-cabs, such as the $42,700 Isuzu D-Max SX 4×2. Meanwhile, the V9 grade contends with premium utes such as the Ford Ranger Sport 2.0 4×4.

The Tunland measures a whopping 5617mm long, 2000mm wide (2090mm for V9 variants), and 1910mm tall (1955mm for V9) with a 3355mm wheelbase – over 250mm longer than Toyota’s HiLux, and easily outsizing Kia’s 5410mm-long Tasman. 

Foton claims its V7 Tunland suits commercial and fleet buyers with a load-focused leaf sprung rear, while the V9 opts for a multi-link rear end which makes claim to comfort, refinement and technology. 

Standard equipment on the Tunland V7-C 4×2 includes:

• 12-3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14.6-inch infotainment screen
• Four-speaker sound system
• Single-zone air conditioning
• DRLs and dusk-sensing headlights
• LED brightwork

Stepping up to the V7-C 4×4 adds:

• Part-time 4WD
• Selectable Four-wheel-drive modes – 2H/Auto/4H/4L
• Additional drive modes: Sand / Mud / Snow
• Rear differential lock
• All-terrain tyres

V9-L 4×4 adds:

• Unique front-end 
• Heated and power folding mirrors
• 18-inch wheels
• Sports bar and lockable tray
• Dual-zone air conditioning
• Six-speaker stereo
• Vehicle-to-load socket (220V/300W)
• Automatic anti-glare rear vision mirror
• Wireless phone charger
• Heated and power adjust front seats

V9-S 4×4 adds:

• Driver monitoring 
• Front differential lock
• Driver seat and mirror memory function
• Front seat ventilation
• Roof rails
• Panoramic sunroof
• Privacy rear glass
• Heated rear seats (outboard only)

All Tunland variants use the same 48-volt mild hybrid system, 120kW/450Nm four-cylinder turbo diesel, and ZF-sourced eight-speed conventional automatic. Aside from the base rear-driver, all models feature a rear differential lock.

Foton checks the necessary boxes for selling a ute in Australia, with the Tunland featuring a 3500kg braked towing capacity, over one-tonne payload capacity (V9 models limited to 995kg payload), and a myriad of driver safety features. 

The 4×2 model V7 has a kerb weight of 2246kg, while all other models weigh 2311kg. Both V7 models have a GVM of 3335kg, and both V9s a GVM of 3306kg.

The Tunland also boasts off-road prowess, with the option of front and rear differential locks, a 240mm ground clearance, factory-fit all-terrain tyres, and the usual four-wheel drive derived tech like sand, mud and snow drive modes, hill descent control and vehicle dynamics control.

The new-generation Foton Tunland is just one new model in an ever-expanding ocean of utes coming out of China, including the JAC T9, LDV Terron 9, GWM Cannon, LDV T60, and upcoming MG U9.

Who is Foton?

The name might not be familiar to the average Australian, but there’s a high chance you’ve seen plenty of their light trucks sporting a fetching Woolworths livery. Back home in China, Foton takes the trophy of being the country’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer.

Internationally, Foton offers a few additional light commercial vehicles alongside the Tunland ute, including the CS2 and Toano vans as well as a HiLux Champ-rivalling ute called the Wonder. 

Foton’s first foray into Oz was back in 2012, with a first taste of the Tunland ute offered until 2019. During this time, Foton changed distributors three times; starting with FAA Automotive Australia, followed by Ateco (the Renault importer), and finally handed back into the hands of Foton Global. 

Chasing Cars is eager to see how the new-generation Tunland fares in an even more competitive market than the one it stepped out of six years ago.