Review: Foton Tunland, as basic as they come

A simple, solid workhorse, the $30K drive-away Tunland is cheap but not nasty.

2017 Foton Tunland ute.

FOTON Tunland? Sounds like the name of a camera store in an obscure Nordic country. It is, in fact, a Chinese brand ute.

My mate Gibbo bought one recently. Gibbo’s a man who appreciates value and looks after his machinery — he was replacing a mid-1990s Mitsubishi Magna that he did more than 500,000km in — and the Tunland’s low price got him.

He paid about $22,000 on the road for a base model single cab chassis rear-wheel drive with an aluminium tray. He’s very happy with it.

Today we’re in the top spec dual-cab Tunland 4x4, priced at $30,990 drive-away and currently in run-out with a $1000 factory bonus.

DESIGN

The Tunland in profile looks handsomely retro by current ute standards but the fake chrome grille is, let’s be frank here, as ugly as a hatful.

It seems smaller than most 2017 dual cabs, too, but although it’s 20mm shorter overall than a HiLux dual cab, its wheelbase is fractionally longer and it’s also slightly wider.

Foton has built a conventional one-tonner steel frame chassis for the Tunland, with double wishbone front/leaf spring rear suspension and hydraulic steering, then looked to other highly regarded, established manufacturers to supply the dual-range, part-time 4x4 drivetrain. The engine, a 2.8-litre turbo diesel, is made in China under a joint venture with US maker Cummins.

German transmission manufacturer Getrag supplies the five-speed manual gearbox. There’s no automatic option. Borg Warner and American drivetrain specialist Dana respectively provide the dual-range transfer case and limited-slip rear differential.

Brakes are front discs and rear drums with ABS, though the current model has no traction or stability control. An updated Tunland, due shortly, will add stability control but rear camera, side and curtain airbags still don’t make the list.

So it’s as basic as they come, an impression confirmed when you climb in. This is what no-frills looks like: strictly business design done in hard grey plastics with basic analog instruments and a prehistoric trip computer, tizzed up a touch on this top-spec model with fake alloy and tree trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather seat facings.

The quality of fit and finish in the test ute was fine, and there were no rattles, sizzles or squeaks on test.

2017 Foton Tunland

Foton hasn’t yet discovered the infotainment screen, smartphone integration or voice control but you get Bluetooth with audio streaming plus 12V, mini USB and auxiliary sockets. Sound quality is excruciatingly tinny and radio reception is poor.

There is ample storage, open and covered. The aircon needs to be turned on and reset every time you start the engine. Rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitor, keyless entry and remote controlled side windows are also standard.

Tall drivers will miss reach adjustment for the wheel and the driver’s seat is flat and unsupportive. So is the rear bench, which is a touch tight for legroom and has you in a slightly knees-up position. It folds up to create a useful cargo bay behind the front seats.

A tub/tailgate liner is standard on the 4x4, which has a maximum payload of 1025kg and can tow up to 2500kg.

AROUND TOWN

The engine struggles off boost below 1500rpm and it’s geared tall, so around town the gear lever is your friend.

Peak torque arrives at 1800rpm, from where you’ve got fairly responsive performance underfoot, though the Tunland is at the back of the ute grid in terms of outright acceleration. The Getrag gearbox has a light, smooth action and the lever occasionally gets lost between gates. The steering is heavy and the ute is hard work to park.

The test car used 9.0L-10.0L/100km around Sydney, which is pretty good for a turbo diesel ute.

ON THE ROAD

Pulling 1900rpm at 100km/h in fifth, the 2.8 cruises frugally and responds willingly when you prod the accelerator. Its gravelly diesel note is pleasant rather than annoying. On the highway, it averages 6-7L/100km.

Cruise control doesn’t hold a set speed properly, disengages with a jerk and can often over-accelerate.

You can select 4WD high (via a dash button) at up to 80km/h and 4WD low is sufficiently indirect to turn the Cummins into a handy extreme terrain crawler. Ground clearance is a modest 200mm.

The Tunland feels strong and solid, steers accurately enough, doesn’t wallow in corners and is reasonably secure on rough bitumen and dirt.

However, with no traction or stability control and so-so tyres, great caution is required on wet or loose surfaces. The weak, wooden brakes need serious pedal pressure to get a result.

Though firm, ride comfort is acceptable and body movement is well-controlled.

VERDICT ★★★

At $29,990 drive-away (with the $1000 rebate) the Tunland dual cab 4x4 is cheap but not nasty. However for $32,990 drive-away you’ll get a Mitsubishi Triton GLX, with most of the safety and infotainment tech you don’t get in the Tunland, plus a 133kW/ 430Nm 2.4-litre turbo diesel, 3100kg claimed maximum towing and five-year warranty.

2017 Foton Tunland

AT A GLANCE

WHAT IT’S GOT

Two airbags, anti-lock brakes, leather faced seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, full-size spare, tyre pressure monitoring, keyless entry, remote side windows up and down, rear parking sensors, side steps, cruise control, Bluetooth.

WHAT IT HASN’T

Traction control, stability control, side airbags, curtain airbags, camera, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, towbar, tonneau cover, touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto.

OWNERSHIP

No capped price servicing, 6 months/10,000km intervals.

WHAT WE LIKED

Nice price for quality mechanicals in a simple, solid and well-made package. Has considerable potential as an outback adventure truck and the Cummins cruises sweetly on the highway. Good fuel economy too. Tidy handling and reasonable ride comfort by one-tonner standards.

WHAT WE DIDN’T

No stability control, camera or side/curtain airbags is ridiculous. You wouldn’t want to have a crash, or carry passengers, especially your kids. Infotainment a decade out of date. Tinny audio. Unsupportive seats. It’s very slow. Weak brakes. Cruise control doesn’t work properly. Short service intervals.

VITALS

FOTON TUNLAND 4X4

PRICE $30,990 drive-away

WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km

SERVICE INTERVAL 6 months/10,000km

SAFETY 3 stars, 2 airbags

ENGINE 2.8-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 120kW/360Nm

TRANSMISSION 5-speed man; 4WD

THIRST 8.3L/100km

DIMENSIONS 5310mm (L), 1880mm (W), 1870mm (H), 3105mm (WB)

WEIGHT 1950kg

SPARE Full-size

TOWING 2500kg

ALSO CONSIDER

MAHINDRA PIK-UP $27,990

Made in India. Runs an 88kW/280Nm 2.2-litre turbo diesel/five-speed manual with a Borg Warner transfer case and Eaton rear diff lock.

MITSUBISHI TRITON GLX $37,000

At $32,990 drive-away, impossible to go past if you want an honest, reliable ute with a blue chip badge. Five-year warranty.

SSANGYONG ACTYON SX $30,990

Haven’t had the … er … pleasure, but colleagues report it’s notable for ride comfort and a punchy, frugal 2.0-litre turbo diesel. Payload is only 400kg or so.