Toyota HiLux vs Foton Tunland
What's the difference?

Toyota HiLux

$33,990 - $82,990

2026 price

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Foton Tunland

$39,990 - $49,990

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Vito

Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Volkswagen Transporter

Volvo C40

Summary

2026 Toyota HiLux

2026 Foton Tunland

By Mark Oastler

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Inline 4, 2.0L

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Diesel/Electric

Electric range

315 km

8.0L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

20.2 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

59.20 kWh

Seating

Likes

Zero tailpipe emissions
Silent powertrain
Zippy response

Price-tag
Roomy cabin
Reasonable off-road

Dislikes

High price
Short driving range
Limited GVM/GCM ratings

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

2026 Toyota HiLux Summary

Toyota claims its first HiLux BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) has been designed primarily with mining, business and government fleet customers in mind, by combining the iconic ute’s 4x4 all-terrain capability with zero tailpipe emissions only a full-electric drivetrain can deliver.

To prove its suitability for harsh Aussie conditions, Toyota claims the HiLux BEV has undergone more than two years of testing on site with major mining companies, covering thousands of kilometres in ambient temperatures up to 50 degrees.

We recently sampled the HiLux BEV as a daily driver in metropolitan use, to see if its mining-focused credentials translate to being a practical alternative to traditional diesel power for tradies working in busy urban environments.

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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.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Toyota HiLux 2026 Foton Tunland

Verdict

Given the HiLux BEV was developed in close cooperation with mining companies, its relatively short driving range appears tailor-made for that role given the daily driving distances (typically around 150km or less) in underground and open-cut mining operations. However, determining if our SR5 test vehicle is equally well suited to urban tradie duties would require careful analysis of driving range and payload/towing requirements, to determine if its emissions-free high purchase price can be justified.

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.

Toyota HiLux vs Foton Tunland What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota HiLux vs Foton Tunland
What's the difference?