{{ tags.important.name }}Foton Tunland G7 mid-size body-on-frame double-cab pickup

The Foton Tunland G7 is a mid-size, body-on-frame double-cab pickup built by Foton Motor. It is sold in various international markets under the Tunland name and is positioned as a value-focused alternative to established players, combining a torquey diesel engine and a well-equipped cabin with a price that undercuts many rivals.

Exterior and Styling

The G7 presents a design that borrows from established pickup templates. The front end features a hexagonal grille flanked by narrow headlights, with fog lamps set into a lower bumper. The body measures 5,340 mm in length, 1,940 mm in width, and 1,870 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,110 mm. The cargo bed measures approximately 1,520 × 1,580 mm internally, with a sidewall height of 460 mm, and the bed floor comes with a non-slip protective coating straight from the factory. The cargo bed is wide enough between the wheel arches at 1,150 mm to accommodate a European pallet.

Powertrain and Performance

The core engine is Foton's AUCAN 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder, producing 120 kW and 390 N·m of torque, with peak torque available from 1,800 to 2,600 rpm. Foton states the engine was developed in cooperation with Ricardo and features a Bosch injection system. Transmission options include a ZF 8-speed automatic and a six-speed manual. The engine's high torque output provides strong response even in Eco mode, though the automatic gearbox can feel slightly out of step with the engine's capabilities. The climate control system requires the temperature to be set quite high to produce genuinely hot air in winter conditions.

Chassis and Off-Road Capability

The G7 uses a ladder-frame chassis with double-wishbone independent front suspension and leaf-spring rear suspension. Ground clearance is 210 mm. The four-wheel-drive system is supplied by BorgWarner and offers selectable modes: 2H, AUTO, 4H, and 4L. Maximum gradability is rated at 30% for two-wheel-drive versions and 60% for four-wheel-drive versions. On mud, sand, and steep inclines, the vehicle maintains traction and handles every test with merit. The robust suspension serves as a reminder that this is fundamentally a load-carrying vehicle despite its leisure-oriented appearance.

Interior and Equipment

The cabin represents the G7's strongest departure from traditional workhorse pickups. Even the entry-level trim features dual 12.3-inch screens, one for infotainment and one for the driver display, along with automatic single-zone climate control, cruise control, and electric windows. The interior layout is modern and SUV-like, with a healthy blend of soft-touch panels, plastics, and brightwork, including a backlit dashboard panel on the passenger side. Higher trims add eco-leather upholstery, an electrically adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, ambient lighting, and a 360-degree camera system. The steering wheel adjusts for both rake and reach. The seats are comfortable for finding a good driving position, though adjustable lumbar support and a tilt function for the seat cushion would be welcome additions. The climate control operation is somewhat peculiar, requiring the temperature to be set to 30–31 degrees to get properly hot air even after the engine has warmed up.

Safety Features

Safety equipment varies by trim and market. The top trim includes six airbags, blind spot monitoring, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels with ABS, EBD, and ESC. Foton's global press materials also cite six airbags, pre-tensioned seat belts, Bosch ESP, and advanced driver assistance systems. Lower trims make do with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors.

Driving Experience and Build Quality

On the road, the G7's ride is firm, particularly at the rear, which is consistent with pickups that prioritize payload capacity over passenger comfort. A manual TL model with only 200 km on the odometer showed several quality concerns: the driver's seat already showed uneven wrinkling and looked prematurely aged, there was a rattle from the transmission tunnel, and a section of carpet had begun pulling away from behind a plastic panel. The lack of an audible headlight-on warning buzzer is a strange omission. On the positive side, the interior is surprisingly well-equipped and stylish for the price point, and the manual gearbox delivers a driving experience that leaves a suitably impressed feeling by the end of a week. Apple CarPlay on the base model is provided via an aftermarket wireless dongle plugged into a USB port in the center armrest, rather than native integration.

Market Position

The G7 sits at the affordable end of the double-cab segment. In South Africa, the entry-level double cab manual was priced under R400,000 at the time of review, positioning it as the cheapest double cab on Foton's books. In Argentina, Foton markets the G7 with a claimed payload of approximately 1,000 kg. The vehicle is sold across Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, with specifications and trim names varying by market.