For PHP 1.13 million, you get a top-of-the-line 4x2 pickup with the Foton Thunder Sports. Does it have what it takes to be competitive?
In the Philippine market, Foton is perhaps one of the most established brands that came from the PRC, especially when you take a look at its place in the commercial vehicle segment.
That brings us to the latest iteration of the Thunder. While it still has the same platform from 12 years ago, Foton has given its pickup offering an extensive update, and a new Sports 4X2 variant. But I have to give Foton props for giving this truck a little more extra in terms of exterior equipment. It has a sprayed-on bedliner for heavy-duty use, tie-down hooks on the bed, a functional sports bar, front and rear cameras with parking sensors at the back, as well as disc brakes on all four corners.
In the middle, there’s a 10.25-inch touchscreen that has a “floating” design. While I find the smartphone connectivity function lacking with the absence of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, I like the fact that Foton chose functionality over form. There are still physical switches and buttons for both the A/C and audio system, unlike other Chinese manufacturers that have them buried in the screen’s submenus.
Fuel efficiency is also one of the strongest suits of the Thunder Sports. During our time with the pickup which involved plenty of motoring events in the metro, we only consumed a quarter of the tank in one week. I was able to do around 10 km/l in the city at a 17 km/h average speed, while I got up to 14 km/l on highway speeds at an average of 82 km/h thanks to the 8-speed auto. Paired with a 76-liter fuel tank, it gives you excellent range that’s perfect for long drives.