As we mentioned a little while ago, a Foton Tunland 4×4 double cab recently joined our long-term test fleet. I’ve been living with the bakkie for about a month now. How has it performed so far?
First impressions can be deceiving. It’s as true of vehicles as it is of people. A vehicle – like a person – can make a great first impression, but as time passes, their annoying little quirks start to reveal themselves. And pretty soon you’re ready to explode with frustration.
The good news, however, is that the Tunland has remained pleasantly devoid of idiosyncrasies. The bakkie is a pleasure to live with, and performs exactly as you would expect it to. It is a no-frills-no-fuss 4×4 with a rugged oilburner that feels solid and unbreakable.
Of course, we’ll have to wait and see if it remains as reliable as it is at the moment, but it certainly hasn’t given me any reason to suspect otherwise. One of the things that have given Chinese vehicles such a bad reputation is a lack of reliability and durability. I have a feeling that the Tunland might start to change that perception. It has the same sort of old-school indestructible feel as the Hilux or KB.
Another aspect of the Tunland that has really impressed me so far is the comfort and user-friendliness of its cabin. It might be a bit of a stretch to call the Foton’s interior plush, but it is comfortable and pleasant. For a bakkie, it’s cabin is perfectly acceptable, and even boasts a decent list of nice-to-haves, such as Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port (a mini one, but it comes with a converter cable), electric windows, a good air conditioner and park-distance control.
So far we’re very impressed with the Tunland. We’ll continue posting updates, and we’ll also upload a video review of the bakkie soon.