Foton TunlandWhat does it cost to run, and is an EV cheaper?
Driving 250 km a week, the Foton Tunland V7-C 4x2 uses about $53.62 of diesel a week in WA and $57.36 in ACT, at this week's average prices. Over 5 years it costs about $63,278 to own, and 7 of the 8 similar EVs we track (cars from about $38,000 to $60,000) work out cheaper, led by the Chery E5 ($46,576 over 5 years) and the Forthing Taikon 5 ($48,434 over 5 years). Compare them.
Image: Foton Australia (manufacturer press image).
Running costsAbout $55.34 a week in diesel (NSW)
What would it cost you in fuel?
About the solar figure: it doesn't include the cost of buying or installing panels, and it's an average. Cloudy days, winter and charging at night all mean more power from the grid, so your real cost will vary through the year.
Costs in every state
Foton Tunland V7-C 4x2, using each capital's average diesel price for the week to 21 October 2026. *Per year assumes 15,000 km.
| State | Diesel | Per week | Per year* | Full tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $2.77 | $55.34 | $3,320 | $210 |
| Victoria | $2.77 | $55.38 | $3,323 | $210 |
| Queensland | $2.80 | $56.06 | $3,364 | $213 |
| South Australia | $2.81 | $56.16 | $3,370 | $213 |
| WA | $2.68 | $53.62 | $3,217 | $204 |
| Tasmania | $2.81 | $56.10 | $3,366 | $213 |
| ACT | $2.87 | $57.36 | $3,442 | $218 |
| NT | $2.84 | $56.86 | $3,412 | $216 |
Owning one5-year cost from $63,278 · track record: Too new to tell · 7 yrs / unlimited km warranty
250 km a week in NSW at $2.77 a litre of diesel. Scheduled service every 12 months or 15,000 km, about $642 a visit. Warranty: 7 yrs / unlimited km.
| Variant | Fuel use | On the road* | Fuel / yr | Servicing / yr | Tyres / yr | 5-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V7-C 4x2 | 8 L/100 km | $43,990 | $2,878 | $642 | $338 | $63,278 |
| V7-C 4x4 | 8 L/100 km | $46,990 | $2,878 | $642 | $338 | $66,278 |
| V9-L 4x4 | 8 L/100 km | $49,990 | $2,878 | $642 | $338 | $69,278 |
| V9-S 4x4 | 8 L/100 km | $53,990 | $2,878 | $642 | $338 | $73,278 |
What do "on the road" and "cost to own" mean?
Before on-road costs (+ on-roads): the car's list price only. You pay extra government charges and dealer fees on top when you buy.
On-road costs: stamp duty, first year's registration, compulsory third party (CTP) insurance, number plates and the dealer's delivery fee. They usually add $3,000–6,000 depending on the car and your state. Where a price is "before on-roads" we add about $4,000. See stamp duty and rego by state.
Drive-away: a price that already includes the on-road costs, so it's what you actually pay to drive the car home.
On the road price: the drive-away price, or the list price plus our on-road estimate.
Cost to own: everything you'd spend over the years you keep the car (5 unless you change it): the on the road price, plus a home wall charger for EVs (about $2,000, one-off), plus charging or fuel, scheduled servicing and tyres for every year. Divide it by the number of weeks to see what the car really costs you each week.
Not included: yearly rego renewals and insurance after the first year (see what EVs and hybrids cost to insure), finance interest, and what the car is worth when you sell it. These vary too much by person and car to estimate fairly, and resale value is the biggest unknown, especially for newer brands.
Insurance isn't included above. See what EVs and hybrids cost to insure and get quotes before you buy.
Reliability and track record
The Foton Tunland has been on sale here for less than two years, so there isn't enough Australian ownership history to judge. That isn't a bad sign, just an unknown. A long warranty matters more for newer models.
Check official recalls for this car
How we rate: under 2 years on sale here is "Too new to tell". A widely reported fault or repeated recalls is "Known issues". Otherwise it's "Established". We list documented problems with a source, not opinions. Single recalls that were fixed are listed but don't change the rating, as most models have some.
Road tripsFuel costs on big Australian trips
Fuel cost for the V7-C 4x2 at its claimed 8 L/100 km and this week's NSW diesel price. Under each trip: the same drive in its closest electric rival, with charging stops. Tap a trip for the full charging guide.
KGM Musso EV: $129 in charging, 3 charging stopsSydney to Brisbane908 km · about $201 in diesel · 1 refuel
KGM Musso EV: $136 in charging, 4 charging stopsBrisbane to Cairns1693 km · about $375 in diesel · 2 refuels
KGM Musso EV: $273 in charging, 8 charging stopsMelbourne to Adelaide726 km · about $161 in diesel · no refuel
KGM Musso EV: $100 in charging, 3 charging stopsSydney to Canberra286 km · about $63 in diesel · no refuel
KGM Musso EV: $25 in charging, 1 charging stopMelbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road970 km · about $215 in diesel · 1 refuel
KGM Musso EV: $144 in charging, 5 charging stops
RivalsMG U9, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander
See all four side by side in Compare ›
More on rivals: head-to-heads and what's coming
The Foton Tunland against EVs
The eight EVs with the lowest 5-year cost to own, against the Foton Tunland V7-C 4x2 at $63,278. Green means the EV works out cheaper. EV totals include a home charger.
| EV | Charging / week | 5-year total | vs this mild-hybrid diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYDAtto 1 Essential | $14.54 | $29,146 | −$34,133 |
| LeapmotorB03X Style | $12.75 | $38,462 | −$24,816 |
| GeelyEX2 Complete | $14.91 | $39,523 | −$23,755 |
| MGMG4 Urban 43 | $15.47 | $42,474 | −$20,804 |
| BYDDolphin Essential | $14.91 | $43,243 | −$20,035 |
| GWMOra 5 Lux | $14.54 | $43,376 | −$19,902 |
| GACAion UT Premium | $15.38 | $45,160 | −$18,118 |
| JaecooJ5 EV Track | $13.41 | $45,284 | −$17,995 |
Head-to-head with its closest electric rivals
- Foton Tunland vs BYD Atto 3
- Foton Tunland vs Geely EX5
- Foton Tunland vs Xpeng L03
- Foton Tunland vs Forthing Taikon 5
Against plug-in hybrids
Worth waiting for?
These similar-sized cars at around the Foton Tunland's price are due in Australia within the next few months. Timing and prices aren't final, so only wait if you can.
- Chery Stockman ute Diesel plug-in hybrid
Due: Orders open now with a $1,000 refundable deposit; deliveries from 1 February 2027. A petrol plug-in hybrid follows later in 2027 · Price not announced yet
QuestionsHow much is a Foton Tunland in Australia? and 3 more
How much is a Foton Tunland in Australia?
The Foton Tunland starts from $39,990 + on-roads (November 2026). Prices change often, so check with a dealer.
How much fuel does a Foton Tunland use?
Its claimed fuel use is 8 L/100 km. Driving 250 km a week that's about $53.62 to $57.36 of diesel a week, depending on your state.
Is a Foton Tunland cheaper to run than an EV?
Per week, an EV charged at home usually costs much less to run. Counting the purchase price, a home charger, servicing and tyres over 5 years, 7 of the 8 similar EVs we track (cars from about $38,000 to $60,000) cost less to own than the Foton Tunland, led by the Chery E5 ($46,576) and the Forthing Taikon 5 ($48,434).
Is the Foton Tunland a hybrid?
Only partly. The Foton Tunland is a diesel with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that assists the engine and saves a little fuel, typically around 5–10%. It can't drive on electricity alone and never needs plugging in.
How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at November 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: ACCC capital-city averages, 21 October 2026.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.