Foton, long recognised for its foothold in the Chinese light‑truck manufacturing arena, has stepped boldly into the competitive 4×4 dual‑cab ute segment with the Tunland. Offered in four variants, it’s a large ute that sits just 300mm shorter than a RAM 1500.
Larger overall than the Kia Tasman, it positions itself squarely between the heavyweights and newcomers. The price is right, at $50,738 drive away but the Tunland may benefit from some further development and refinement in some areas.
Looks-wise, it makes a bold first impression, though not always for the reasons you might expect. Its exterior styling is a busy mix of bodywork creases, chrome accents, blacked‑out trim and hard plastics.
It’s not the worst‑looking ute on the market, but it does take a moment for the eye to settle. The oversized grille feels familiar, almost borrowed, but it actually suits the Tunland’s proportions well.
Modern LED headlights flank the front end and perform confidently, while the large FOTON lettering across the bonnet looks more like a late design addition. A smaller emblem on the grille would be a more premium feel than the headline branding above it.
The orange peel paintwork on our test car is disappointing and looks cheap. Around the sides, the plastic wheel arch flares are sure to spark a few pub debates and the 18‑inch gloss‑black alloys don’t quite fill the guards as convincingly as they could.
One standout though is the set of full‑steel side steps that double as rock sliders; solid, functional and a huge improvement over the usual plastic‑clad tubes seen elsewhere. A black sports bar helps complete the roofline visually.
The oversized 4×4 decal feels like unnecessary shouting. At the rear, the tailgate has dampers for assisted opening and closing. The tray is enormous, wide enough to swallow a full‑size pallet with room to spare, but misses out on a 1,000kg payload by only 5kg.
The spray‑on tub liner may not be the most durable out there, but for camping gear or general weekend work the space is undeniably cavernous. The plastic panel with Foton lettering is good if you are carting mountain bikes but again might not be a fan favourite.
A proper spare is included, as it should be for a 4×4 ute. Step inside, and the Tunland immediately presents feels well‑equipped and thoughtfully packaged. The dashboard layout is clean and logical, with a large centre console that gives the interior a sense of size.
The console houses a dial for controlling the 4×4 system and various drive modes. There is a large storage bin, cooled by air-conditioning. The cup holders are close by, which is annoying and makes removal of said vessels difficult.
Underneath is a large parcel shelf, USB ports and wireless phone charging. Refreshingly, it features a generous spread of physical switches. In an era where manufacturers are racing to bury functions in a touchscreen, the Tunland’s tactile controls are welcomed.
Ambient coloured lighting can be adjusted from the touchscreen, and a modern gear selector feels “just right” to the hand and easy to use. Not everything is perfect, though. The angle of the switch faces can make the icons difficult to read at a glance, for example.
It’s a small ergonomic oversight, but one you notice more often than you’d expect. Another feature that needs refinement is the auto start/stop function. There is a delay between taking your foot off the brake and accelerating as the diesel starts.
At this point, the Tunland can roll backwards. The steering wheel itself is comfortable, but the cruise‑control buttons let the side down. Their layout isn’t intuitive and you’ll likely find yourself glancing down to confirm what you’re pressing.
A traditional stalk would have been a more user‑friendly solution. The 360‑degree camera system is another mixed bag. While the integration into the reverse and infotainment system is seamless, the way it suppresses the radio quickly becomes irritating.
You can disable the camera via a console button, but the system resets each time, meaning you can’t permanently turn it off, at least in my evaluation. The Tunland’s infotainment package includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
During testing, the system occasionally failed to connect on the first attempt, which quickly becomes frustrating if you rely on smartphone integration for navigation or music. The radio is limited to AM/FM, and reception wasn’t always reliable.
Still, even when the signal held, the audio performance was merely adequate. The speakers deliver acceptable clarity for everyday listening, but there’s nothing particularly engaging or premium about the sound.
The electric front seats look the part, are soft and feel good. Red stitching adds a premium look. They’re heated but not ventilated, with the latter only available in the V9-S trim. The back seat space is liveable and the rear pews are angled for comfort.
An inverter powers a 300W power outlet. The base of the back seats can be folded, lifted and tethered to create more space. On the road, the Tunland is powered by an Aucan 2.0‑litre four‑cylinder turbo diesel with a 48V mild‑hybrid.
Despite a respectable 120kW and 450Nm, it doesn’t quite rise to the challenge, feeling sluggish when asked to get moving with any urgency. It’s a shame, because the rest of the drivetrain is great.
The 8‑speed ZF automatic is a standout performer; smooth, decisive and well‑calibrated. Gear changes are seamless, and the transmission does its best to keep the engine in its sweet spot.
Ultimately though, it can only work with the power it’s given, and the overall driving experience never quite feels satisfying. The Tunland V9-L features a multi-link coil rear end that does make for comfortable ride.
The front is a little harsh over speed humps but the handling is good for a large ute and the steering feels direct. It has a 3500kg braked towing capacity, and the fuel tank holds 76-litres. That translates to a claimed 8.0-litres/100km (8.9-litres in real world testing).
It’s available in eight colours, including Flare White, Galaxy Silver, Titanium Grey, Fire Red, Phantom Black, Diamond Blue, Aurora Green and a very interesting Lightning Purple. Safety tech includes the usual suspects, but not everything is polished.
During testing, the autonomous emergency braking system intervened twice with abrupt, overly enthusiastic slow downs in situations that didn’t warrant such an aggressive response. Tyre‑pressure monitoring though is a genuinely useful add-on.
That’s especially so for those who tow, tour, or spend time on rougher country roads. It’s a small feature, but one that adds meaningful peace of mind. The Foton Tunland is backed by a 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty and up to 7-years roadside assist.
A similar period for capped price servicing applies. All-in-all, it’s a lot of car for the price, and while there are definite areas for improvement, none of them are difficult to live with at this level of value.
You can find out more on the Foton Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Foton Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
