2025 Foton Tunland review

How much does the 2025 Foton Tunland cost?

Foton’s pricing strategy is simple: offer more for less. The range starts with the V7-C 4x2 at $39,990 plus on-road costs, while the flagship V9-S 4x4 tested here comes in at $49,990 plus on-road costs. That’s well below most premium rivals, and competitive with product from Chinese brands including JAC and MG.  For its price, the Foton V9-S includes coil-sprung rear suspension, dual locking differentials, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated leather seats, typically the territory of much more expensive vehicles.

All models share a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine with 48V mild-hybrid assistance and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity is 3500kg (braked), and every Foton Tunland comes with a seven-year warranty, seven years' capped-price servicing and seven years' roadside assistance - a serious aftersales package backed by importer Inchcape's local expertise.

2025 Foton Tunland model range pricing

There are four variants in the Tunland line-up, with the V7 available in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations:

Tunland V7-C 4x2 ($39,990 plus on-road costs)

• Leaf-spring rear suspension for higher payload (up to 1115kg)
• Rear-wheel drive
• 14.6-inch touchscreen with wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay
• LED headlights, leather-like trim, 360-degree camera, dash cam
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Adaptive cruise control
• 18-inch alloy wheels (steel spare)

Tunland V7-C 4x4 ($42,990 plus on-road costs)

• Same styling and suspension as the 4x2
• Adds part-time four-wheel drive with high and low range (2H/4H/4L)
• Rear diff lock standard
• Hill descent control
• Same payload capacity as 4x2 (up to 1115kg)

Tunland V9-L 4x4 ($45,990 plus on-road costs)

• Coil-sprung multi-link rear suspension for improved comfort
• Payload capacity: up to 1015kg
• Dual-zone climate control
• Powered and heated front seats
• Folding/heated exterior mirrors
• Wireless phone charger
• Six-speaker audio
• Rear USB-A ports
• Vehicle-to-load power socket
• Sports bar
• Lockable tailgate (key-only)
• Gloss alloy wheels

Tunland V9-S 4x4 ($49,990 plus on-road costs) 

Adds:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Ventilated leather front seats with lumbar adjustment
• Heated rear seats
• Rear privacy glass
• Roof rails
• Front and rear diff locks (only variant with front locker)
• Driver attention monitoring
• Ambient lighting
• Wireless phone charging
• 240V socket in rear
• Under-seat storage
• Payload capacity: up to 980kg

More: Research and compare towing vehicles on the sale today

2025 Foton Tunland exterior design

The exterior design of the Foton Tunland makes a bold impression, blending robust, work-ready features with refinements typically found in premium SUVs. Its styling is described as striking, with the V9 variant boasting a larger, more aggressive grille, sharper lines, and commanding road presence, while the V7 maintains classic toughness essential for challenging job sites. Practicality defines every angle: the Tunland measures 5617 mm in length, midway between a Ford Ranger and Ford F-150, and sits high on the road, offering 240 mm of ground clearance. The tray is engineered to accommodate a standard Australian pallet, with a spray-in liner in the V9-S variants and assisted tailgate across the range, reflecting its focus on both tradies and weekend adventurers.

Underpinning the Tunland is a ladder-frame chassis, a product of Foton’s decades of commercial vehicle engineering expertise. The V7 features heavy-duty leaf springs for optimal load-carrying, while the V9 introduces a multi-link rear coil spring setup for what Foton claims is a more refined, SUV-like ride. Both platforms have been tested for Australian conditions, ensuring durability and comfort but specific details on what enhancements have been made for Australian vehicles are not available.

The V9-S adds black plastic wheel arches, LED headlights, and a spray-in bedliner. Tailgate lift assistance is standard across the range, and the V9-S is the only variant with a locking tailgate. Eight colours are available in the range including Galaxy Silver, Titanium Grey, Phantom Black, Fire Red, Diamond Blue, Lightning Purple, Aurora Green.

What is the Foton Tunland like inside?

Step inside and the Tunland V9-S surprises. The oversized exterior design includes a longer wheelbase which translates to additional space om the interior. The cabin is spacious, comfortable and well-equipped. The front seats are plush and supportive, a real highlight of the vehicle, and the driving position is excellent. The V9-S includes a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and a configurable centre console for the stashing of gear.

A strong tech game is non-negotiable for today's ute manufacturer and the Tunland is no exception. A 14.6-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster dominate the dash. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but the V9-S is the only variant with wireless phone charging. There are at least plentiful USB sockets throughout all vehicles and a V2L 240V socket in the range topper. Physical buttons for key functions like hill descent control and the 360-degree camera make operation easier although there is a reliance on the touchscreen for the control of other functions, so the navigation screen disappears if other functions are chosen.

In the rear, passengers benefit from reclining seatbacks, rear air vents, and generous legroom. There’s plenty of light thanks to the sunroof, and charging options include two USB ports and a 240V socket. Under-seat storage adds practicality as the rear seat bases can be hooked out of the way for additional load carrying.

More: How to protect tradie tools from theft

Is the Foton Tunland V9-S good to drive?

Behind the wheel, the Tunland V9-S is decent to drive. The 2.0-litre diesel produces 120kW and 450Nm, and while it’s down on power compared to the Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux, the eight-speed transmission shifts smoothly and makes the most of available torque. The mild-hybrid system helps fill gaps at low revs.

One area that lets the driving experience down is the stop-start system. It’s not as refined as it should be, and in practice, it can be frustrating. The engine doesn’t always restart promptly, and there’s a noticeable delay when pulling away from a standstill. It’s particularly irksome in traffic, where it impacts the drive experience.

Steering feels slightly artificial, particularly around time, but the vehicle handles well, with a composed ride thanks to the coil-sprung rear even unladen. The suspension is pretty capable, and the V9-S feels stable on road and confident off it. Noise from door seals and wind around the mirrors is quite intrusive, the door seals proving noisier on certain vehicles moreso than others.

Off-road, the V9-S appears competent. We didn't drive it through too much complex terrain but on its first showing, it did appear to do all the things most light offroaders expect. The 4WD system includes 2H, 4H and 4L modes, and the V9-S tackled steep trails and loose surfaces with apparent ease. Hill descent control and a “transparent chassis” camera view aid off-road manoeuvring but there isn't the speed adjustment available here as there is in the Ford Ranger. 

Fuel consumption is officially rated at 8.0L/100km (ADR Combined), though real-world figures ranged from 10.6L/100km in mixed driving to 13.5L/100km under load.

More: Eight essential things you need for a safe off-road adventure

How safe is the Foton Tunland?

Safety is a mixed bag. The Tunland is yet to be ANCAP-rated, and while Foton is targeting five stars, the lack of a rating at launch may deter some buyers. That said, the V9-S includes a strong suite of safety features including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition and driver attention monitoring.

Eight airbags are fitted, including a front-centre airbag and driver’s knee airbag. The 360-degree camera is easy to activate via a dedicated button, and adaptive cruise control is standard. Driver attention monitoring isn’t available across the range, and is only available on the most expensive model. On the road, the systems including lane-centring aquit themselves well, and are less intrusive than we've experienced in other vehicles.

How does the Foton Tunland compare?

Compared to rivals, the Tunland V9-S offers decent value. It undercuts the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and is on par with the GWM Cannon, yet includes features like dual diff locks, a panoramic sunroof and wireless charging. The interior is spacious and well-appointed, and the ride is comfortable enough for family use.

Where it falls short is engine performance and refinement. The diesel needs encouragement on inclines, and some cabin materials feel budget. But its value for money equation is strong - this is going to appeal to families that don't want to spend the Earth for a robust ute.

Foton’s partnership with Inchcape and a growing Australian dealer network backed with local expertise should be well regarded but Foton won't have the same footprint as longstanding brands like Toyota and Ford so making a service or warranty booking might take longer.

Should I buy a Foton Tunland?

If you’re looking for a big, bold ute that doesn’t come with a big price tag, the Foton Tunland V9-S is definitely worth considering. It’s well-equipped, comfortable and capable, and while it lacks the polish and outright grunt of more expensive rivals, it delivers where it counts.

^{The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.}