The Foton Tunland V7 is not only for the big boys
By SHAWIE DIZON
Usually, it’s my husband, Lester Dizon, who gets to drive large media units such as full-size luxury cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks whenever these test drive vehicles are made available. I understand that he’s a licensed mechanical engineer, amateur racer, car enthusiast, and lifelong gearhead, but must I be relegated to the passenger seat or, on some occasions, consigned to drive smaller “more feminine” vehicles just because I’m a woman?
Fortunately for me, Levy Santos, the General Manager of Foton Motor Philippines (FMPI), does not subscribe to such a feminist approach when it comes to their line of tough pickup trucks and SUVs. I pulled the wool over my husband’s eyes (heh-heh-heh) and booked myself a weeklong test drive of the 2025 Foton Tunland V7. Taking a cue from Cindy Lauper, this girl just wanna have fun!
Purple reigns
I’ve driven large vehicles before; thus, driving this long, wide, and tall pickup truck is a piece of cake for me. I love this Tunland V7’s shiny metallic dark violet finish, black wheels, and black bumpers, but because of the dark tint, most people are surprised to see little ol’ me instead of a muscular hombre driving this tough-looking truck. Purple, you could say. Some people even think it’s my personal, full-size American pickup truck, which I had custom-painted to my liking. (I just wish…)
At first, I thought this large truck had a gas-guzzling V8 under the hood, capable of hauling a 875-kilogram payload or towing 3,500 kilograms. However, I learned that it has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo-diesel hybrid engine, which produces 450 Newton-meters of torque. In my defense, I never look under the hood anyway. I just drive, as long as it’s an automatic. Thankfully, this Foton comes equipped with a smooth 8-speed automatic and 4-wheel drive.
Looks can be deceiving
Even though it is larger than most pickup trucks we’ve tested, the Tunland V7 doesn’t feel big. It is actually as agile and maneuverable as any midsize pickup. It may be the Intelligent Cockpit Design, where all controls are within reach, or the multifunction steering wheel and the paddle shifter behind it, or perhaps the opulent leather interior just feels so luxurious that I feel quite spoiled, snug, and confident when I’m driving this Foton pickup truck.
Hybrid: The power of two
In stop-and-go traffic, the Engine Idle Start/Stop function helps save fuel, while regenerative braking helps charge the battery pack of this diesel hybrid. In other words, diesel-fed, battery-powered.Two are better than one.
On the yacht-inspired center console, one knob allows me to choose between 2-wheel drive (2H) and 4-wheel drive (4H or 4L) or automatically (AUTO) while the other knob helps me go through ruts, sand, wet slippery surfaces, mud, or seriously rugged off-road terrain. This pickup truck can go anywhere, really.
Safety and technology
Like any mom who drives, I want to listen to my favorite music and be informed while on the road and in transit. The Tunland V7’s infotainment system does all that with its 14.8-inch touchscreen, Apple Carplay, USB and tuner functions, Carbit link wireless mobile phone interconnection, Bluetooth audio streaming, as well as controls for several electronic vehicle functions, and its alphabet soup of Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS).
This pickup truck’s electronic driving aids impressed me the most by making me feel confident, safe, and secure during each drive. It also felt good that its large size and stature earned me some respect on the road. I would gladly pay P1,888,000 to own this dark violet Foton Tunland V7, and get matching violet, purple or mauve clothes to wear when driving it. After all, I’m a mom who’s still a girl, and yes, this girl just wanna have fun! (With this big pickup truck, that is.)
