Foton Tunland vs Isuzu D-Max
What's the difference?

Foton Tunland

$39,990 - $49,990

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Isuzu D-Max

$36,200 - $80,900

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Summary

2026 Foton Tunland

2026 Isuzu D-Max

By Marcus Craft

By Chris Thompson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Diesel/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

8.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Price-tag
Roomy cabin
Reasonable off-road

New 2.2-litre is smooth and quieter
Hasn’t ballooned pricing much
D-Max retains balance of comfort and simplicity

Dislikes

Under-powered
Annoying driver-assist tech
Needs better off-road tyres

Not many variants with 2.2L
Lane-keep is a bit keen
Interior feels spartan

2026 Foton Tunland Summary

If you’re in the market for a big US-style ute but you’re not keen to spend the big bucks, this Chinese-made workhorse might be right for you.

This is the 2026 Foton Tunland V9-S 4x4. It’s just under six metres long and costs just under $50,000. A lot of ute for the price.

This top-spec Tunland has a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, a 48V mild-hybrid system, and front and rear diff locks.

So, what is this ute like to drive off-road?

Read on.

View full pricing & specs

2026 Isuzu D-Max Summary

There’s a fairly big change hiding under the metal of one of Australia’s favourite utes. The Isuzu D-Max has a new 2.2-litre engine, replacing the 1.9-litre unit, and it brings a couple of other things with it.

A bigger engine designed to be more powerful and more efficient can only be a good thing, surely, especially with Isuzu looking down the barrel of stringent emissions laws with only two models in the line-up, both diesel powered.

But is this new 2.2-litre engine any good? Isuzu’s gone to the trouble of a new gearbox and some new tech to go with it, so we check it out to see if it stacks up against the increasingly strong competition.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2026 Foton Tunland 2026 Isuzu D-Max

Verdict

You have to give Foton some credit because the 2026 Tunland V9-S 4x4 is a big US-sized ute without the big US-style price-tag.

On the surface this is an impressive vehicle. It’s well-equipped, comfortable, reasonably capable off-road and is generally nice to drive.

But under closer scrutiny, and when driving the Tunland, some substantial flaws soon become obvious, not the least of which is an underdone powertrain and some annoying driver-assist tech.

Still, it is a lot of ute for the money, so the Tunland represents a strong case as a budget buy.

Verdict

The new engine makes the D-Max a much more likeable ute than it already was, which is high praise.

It’s smoother and quieter and makes for a more pleasant drive. The added efficiency is a bonus both for your wallet and Isuzu’s emissions credits.

The 3.0-litre engine will probably remain the favourite, but anyone who test drives a 2.2L might even be tempted to opt for the smaller unit. Isuzu sure hopes so.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Foton Tunland vs Isuzu D-Max What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Foton Tunland vs Isuzu D-Max
What's the difference?