Foton Tunland vs JAC T9
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Utes compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Foton Tunland starts from $39,990 before on-road costs, while the JAC T9 opens at $42,662. That makes the Foton Tunland the more affordable entry point by $2,672.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $43,989 and $46,928 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Foton Tunland features a 10.3-inch touchscreen, while the JAC T9 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Foton Tunland gets leatherette upholstery while the JAC T9 offers leather.
Drivetrain
The Foton Tunland uses a Turbo-diesel mild hybrid producing 120kW and 450Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 11 seconds.
The JAC T9 responds with a Turbo-diesel making 125kW and 410Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.5 seconds.
The JAC T9 has the clear power advantage at 125kW vs 120kW. In the real-world sprint, the Foton Tunland is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
For towing, the Foton Tunland leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,200kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.6m to 13.8m
Based on 12.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 13.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Foton Tunland and $2,166/year for the JAC T9. That is a $143 annual difference in favour of the JAC T9.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Foton Tunland) vs $2,166 (JAC T9). The JAC T9 saves you roughly $143 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 7 years (Foton Tunland) vs 7 years (JAC T9). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 7yr (Foton Tunland) / 7yr (JAC T9).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Foton Tunland if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Foton's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the JAC T9 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer JAC's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Foton Tunland takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The JAC T9 will save you roughly $143 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Foton Tunland and JAC T9?
The Foton Tunland is the cheapest at $39,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the JAC T9 by $2,672.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The JAC T9 uses the least fuel at 7.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — JAC T9 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Foton Tunland has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The JAC T9 makes the most power at 125kW. The Foton Tunland is quickest to 100km/h in 11s.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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