FOTON Tunland

A budget-oriented, entry-level pickup from the Chinese commercial vehicle specialist Foton Motor, the Tunland is currently in its facelifted version globally, which was introduced in 2018. The UAE market will be receiving this facelifted version of Foton Tunland sometime in the first half of 2025 in a single-spec G01 variant.

Measuring 5,310 mm long, 1,880 mm wide and 1,860 mm tall, the Foton Tunland has a very basic design to offer. The front profile of the Tunland has a trapezoidal, wing-shaped grille with crystal diamond headlamps on its sides, which have halogen projectors and LED DRL strips within them. The front bumper has a large air dam with widened corners, which have LED turn fog lamp strips over them. 

The side profile of the Foton Tunland has a very functional appearance, with the rounded wheel arches having body mouldings over them. With body-coloured A and B pillars, rearview mirrors and door handles, the Foton Tunland also has small trapezoidal air vents on the front fenders. Riding on 16-inch silver alloy wheels, the Foton Tunland has a basic-looking rear profile with vertically aligned trapezoidal tail lamps.

The UAE-spec Foton Tunland will also come with the same black and brown artificial leather upholstery as the China-spec version. Along with gloss black highlights on the three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel, and upper and lower centre consoles, the Foton Tunland has a premium vibe in its cabin despite its basic, entry-level positioning in the pickup truck segment. The driver’s cockpit looks basic and purposeful with analogue gauges for the conventional bits, while having a broad centre console with a touchscreen infotainment system as the major highlight. 

The lower centre console has a functional design with automatic climate control switches, below which there are cup holders, which along with usable door pockets, add practicality to the cabin of the Foton Tunland. Even the safety equipment list is pretty decent with additions like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system and reverse parking sensors. 

For the UAE market, the Foton Tunland, in its G01 variant, will solely get the 2.4-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine. To be offered with a 6-speed automatic transmission, this 2.4-litre petrol engine is good enough to produce a maximum power output of 135 bhp and a maximum torque output of 200 Nm. With this engine, the Foton Tunland claims a top speed of 160 kmph. 

However, the more frugal and tractable diesel engines available in the China-spec version, including the 2.8-litre Cummins-sourced diesel and 2.0-litre diesel, have been given a miss in the UAE-spec model. Even the more affordable manual transmission has been skipped for the UAE-spec Tunland. 

Positioned to be an entry-level pickup truck, the Foton Tunland can serve as a potential budget alternative to established and reliable options like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara, and Mitsubishi L200. However, one has to note that Tunland doesn’t have the global recognition and proven reliability of these established rivals.