Words: Richard Edwards
Published 10 June 2026
New utes usually arrive in New Zealand with months of teasers, embargoed drives and a glitzy launch event. Foton has taken a different path, quietly rolling its all-new Tunland V7 and V9 onto its stand at Fieldays with spec sheets in the windows and prices on the board.
The brand is no stranger to the local market. Foton sold the previous-generation Tunland here last decade, and while the ute disappeared from price lists, the company never left, continuing to sell light trucks through its national network. Foton New Zealand is the exclusive distributor of the brand’s commercial vehicles here and is a subsidiary of the family-owned Ebbett Group.
Bigger than the usual one-tonners
The new Tunland is a significantly bigger proposition than the old one, in every sense. At 5617mm long and 2000mm wide (2090mm for the flared V9-S), on a 3355mm wheelbase, the newcomer is around 250mm longer and 80mm wider than a Ford Ranger double cab. That makes it effectively a half-size up from the familiar one-tonne class, slotting between the traditional double cabs and full-size American pickups.
Both models share a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance, producing 120kW at 3600rpm and 450Nm from 1500 to 2400rpm. A ZF eight-speed automatic is standard, as is a part-time four-wheel drive system with Auto, 2H, 4H and 4L modes. Braked towing capacity is 3500kg for both.
Workhorse or lifestyle
The two variants are aimed at different buyers. The V7-C is the workhorse of the pair, with leaf-spring rear suspension, a 1050kg payload and a 3335kg GVM in 4×4 form, which is priced at $51,990 plus on-road costs and adds a rear differential lock. A 4×2 version with a higher 1115kg payload opens the range at $48,990 plus on-road costs.
The V9-S, at $57,990 plus on-road costs, swaps the leaf springs for a multi-link coil-sprung rear end, adds a front differential lock to go with the rear, and trades a little payload (995kg) for comfort. It also gains a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, power-folding heated mirrors, a six-speaker audio system and 18-inch gloss black alloys with a sports bar and roof rails.
Off-road credentials are solid on paper, with 240mm of ground clearance, a 700mm wading depth and approach and departure angles of 28 and 26 degrees respectively. The tub measures 1577mm long and 1650mm wide, with 1250mm between the wheel arches, and gross combined mass is rated at up to 6835kg.
Kiwis get heated seats
New Zealand-spec vehicles score heated seats across the range, an upgrade over their Australian equivalents, where the entry model goes without.
Inside, both get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a large 14.6-inch infotainment screen, along with a 360-degree camera with integrated dash cam, powered front seats, 256-colour ambient lighting and a 220V/300W power outlet in addition to USB ports.
The safety story is comprehensive for the price point, with a driver monitoring system with distraction and fatigue warning, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and trailer stability assist among the standard kit.
Foton backs the Tunland with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and seven years of 24/7 roadside assistance.
Foton is part of China’s BAIC group, and we understand the parent brand will ultimately receive a version of the same vehicle.
