Tunland the Goldilocks of utes

0 0 August 27, 2025 Edit this post

Foton's Tunland utility is set to turn heads priced from a red hot $39,990.

Originally, the Chinese company said the V7 and V9 pickups would arrive in the first half of 2025.

But it looks like that date has blown out to the end of September at the latest.

The pair are billed as full-size utes, but in reality sit somewhere between the Hilux and Tundra in terms of size.

Ironically, V7 is the larger of the two with a length of 5797mm and wheelbase of 3505mm (distance between axles).

To give this some perspective, the Ram 1500 (smallest of Ram’s pickups), is 5929mm long and has a wheelbase of 3686mm.

The smaller V9 is 5617mm long and has a wheelbase of 3355mm.

The popular Ford Ranger on the other hand is smaller again, at 5403mm and 3270mm.

Although the two Foton utilities are styled differently, they are in fact the same vehicle under the skin.

Foton, founded in 1996, is China’s largest automotive manufacturer, with more than 300,000 employees.

It is known for building light and heavy-duty trucks, agricultural tractors and various other machinery.

In short, it’s not just another Chinese wannabe.

Foton joins the Inchcape stable of vehicles which also imports Subaru, Peugeot and the Chinese Deepal.

The name may sound familiar because they were here once before, selling around 3000 4×2 and 4×4 utes between 2014 and 2018

Tunland is a budget, compact pickup that has been sold in China since 2011 as well as in Australia, Colombia and emerging markets.

Available in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, it is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel together with a 48V mild hybrid, producing 120kW of power and 450Nm of torque.

It's paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and has a braked towing capacity of up to 3500kg.

Foton says the next-generation Tunland has been engineered from the ground up to challenge convention.

It draws on the company's global truck-building expertise to deliver commercial-grade durability, with real-world capability and SUV-like comfort – all wrapped in a value-packed offering tailored to Australian drivers.

V7 focuses on core durability and commercial usability, ideal for fleets and trades with over 1000kg payload.
V9 introduces a higher level of refinement for diverse lifestyle needs, featuring upgraded multi-link rear suspension, providing a smoother ride and the highest levels of comfort and technology

Tuned for the diverse demands of Australian roads and worksites, Tunland has been locally tested across "tens of thousands of kilometres" to ensure it is fit for purpose in real-world conditions.

With 240mm ground clearance, 28 degrees approach and 26 degrees departure angles, and a robust chassis with commercial DNA, the ute is equally suited to weekday jobs and weekend escapes.

Foton's Glen Cooper described the Tunland as the Goldilocks of utes in terms of sizing.

“The all-new TUNLAND is a fresh and capable new contender in the Ute segment, offering commercial-grade space and toughness, combined with the comfort and technology modern drivers expect," he said.

"We’ve backed that up with tens of thousands of kilometres of local testing to help ensure it’s tuned for Australian conditions and built to deliver exactly what drivers need – whether it’s for work, play, or everything in between.

"We see real potential for the Tunland to shake up the category by delivering greater versatility, space, and refinement in a truly value-packed offering.”

Prices before on-road costs:

V7-C 4x2, $39,990
V7-C 4x4, $42,990
V9-L 4x4, $45,990
V9-S 4x4, $49,990

Tunland will be covered by a comprehensive 7-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, providing added peace of mind for customers and enhancing the ownership experience from day one.

Final product specifications and features will be confirmed closer to official launch.