Foton General F9 SUV

Vehicle Overview

The Foton General F9 SUV is a mid-to-large SUV developed by Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. based on the General F9 pick-up truck platform. What makes this vehicle unique is its "integrated pick-up" construction—transforming the conventional open rear cargo bed into an enclosed cabin that connects seamlessly with the front passenger compartment. As a result, it is homologated as a "multi-purpose passenger vehicle", functioning just like any regular SUV in terms of vehicle registration and everyday use.

First introduced in 2023, the General F9 SUV has since received several updates. As of early 2026, the lineup comprises the 2024 and 2026 model years, priced between RM158,800 and RM188,800, offering a choice of rear-wheel drive or on-demand 4WD, paired with either manual or automatic transmissions. While its dimensions easily dwarf most SUVs in its segment, its pick-up truck underpinnings leave it without direct rivals in the market, catering primarily to buyers seeking exceptional cabin space and utilitarian workhorse capability.

Design Language

Visually, the General F9 SUV retains the rugged, muscular design language of the Foton General pick-up, featuring an upright and boxy silhouette. Up front, a prominent grille with bold lettering brand badging is flanked by LED daytime running lights and halogen main headlamps, complemented by fog lamps and a silver skid plate on the lower bumper for an imposing, authoritative presence. Along the sides, sharp character lines define its profile. Due to its pick-up platform heritage, its proportions differ noticeably from conventional SUVs—sporting a shorter bonnet, an extended passenger cell, straight window lines, roof rails, and side steps. The rear styling remains clean and purposeful, featuring vertical tail lamp clusters focused purely on practicality.

Dimensionally, the General F9 SUV measures 5,340 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, and 2,080 mm tall, with a 3,100 mm wheelbase, firmly placing it in the mid-to-large SUV segment. Its 5,340 mm overall length and 3,100 mm wheelbase make it considerably larger than typical segment rivals (such as the Toyota Highlander at 4,965 mm long with a 2,850 mm wheelbase). However, constrained by its ladder-frame architecture, its interior packaging efficiency does not quite match that of similarly sized monocoque SUVs.

Inside, the cabin adopts a functional, no-nonsense layout. The dashboard features an 8.0-inch (lower variants) or 12.5-inch (higher variants) floating touchscreen infotainment unit, accompanied by a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and a 3.5-inch dot-matrix multi-info display. Gear selection is handled via a traditional manual gear lever or an electronic shift-by-wire selector on automatic variants. Upholstered in synthetic leather, the interior features a 2+3 five-seater configuration with split-folding rear seats. Hard plastics dominate the cabin materials, underscoring its utilitarian, commercial-oriented focus.

Powertrain & Performance

Powering the General F9 SUV range is a 4G20TI5 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine mounted longitudinally and built by Beiqi Foton. It produces a maximum output of 175 kW (approx. 238 PS) and 360 Nm of torque, with peak torque accessible across a wide rev band from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm. The engine features direct petrol injection, runs on RON 92 fuel, and meets China VI emission standards.

Transmission options include:

Drivetrain layouts include rear-wheel drive (2WD) and on-demand four-wheel drive (4WD). The 4WD variants feature an on-demand system to ensure dependable traction across unpaved and rough terrain.

On the fuel economy front, NEDC combined fuel consumption figures range from 8.8 L/100 km to 9.7 L/100 km, detailed as follows:

The vehicle is fitted with a 76-litre fuel tank, with kerb weight ranging from 1,905 kg to 2,095 kg depending on the spec, and a maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 2,650 kg.

Chassis & Handling

The General F9 SUV is built on a ladder-frame chassis (body-on-frame construction), where the body sits on a rigid ladder frame—a hallmark of its pick-up origins. This architecture provides superior torsional rigidity and durability under heavy payloads and rough road conditions, though it naturally compromises on-road ride comfort and handling agility compared to unibody (monocoque) SUVs.

Suspension duties are handled by a front double-wishbone independent setup and a rear rigid axle with leaf springs. The rear leaf-spring setup is typical of commercial vehicles, prioritising load-carrying endurance over ride suppleness, which translates to noticeable bounce over uneven surfaces for rear passengers.

Steering is managed via a hydraulic power steering system, which offers a heavier weighting and clearer road feedback than modern electric setups, albeit requiring more effort during low-speed parking manoeuvres. Braking setups vary noticeably across the range:

The Elite variant omits Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), whereas the Luxury variant receives a comprehensive suite of active electronic safety aids as standard.

For wheels and tyres, the Elite rides on 245/70 R16 tyres, while the Luxury steps up to wider 265/60 R18 rubber for enhanced grip. A full-size steel spare wheel is standard. Off-road credentials include an approach angle of 27.5°, a departure angle of 19°, and a laden ground clearance of 210 mm, ensuring solid capability over unpaved trails.

Cabin & Equipment

The General F9 SUV’s interior kit focuses primarily on practical utility, with clear equipment distinctions between variants.

The Elite (6MT) variant gets a basic equipment list: an 8.0-inch floating central touchscreen, a 4-speaker audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone screen mirroring. Air conditioning is manual, and there is no sunroof.

The Luxury (8AT) variant adds significantly more equipment: a 12.5-inch floating central touchscreen, a 360-degree surround-view monitor, navigation (optional), and voice control (optional). It also gains cruise control, dual sunroofs (optional), leatherette seats, and an electronic gear shifter. Optional packages include heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and automatic climate control.

A 4-speaker sound system is standard. Convenience features across all variants include keyless entry with push-start ignition, power windows all round, and electrically adjustable wing mirrors.

Safety & Driver Assistance

In terms of passive safety, the General F9 SUV comes standard with dual front airbags (driver and front passenger) across the board. Side and curtain airbags are not standard fitment but can be added via an optional "Airbag Package". Basic features like a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and ISOFIX child seat anchors are standard.

On the active safety front, the disparity between trims is stark:

• Elite (6MT): Equipped only with ABS and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), lacking active stability systems such as ESP and Traction Control (TCS).

• Luxury (8AT): Generously equipped with ESP, Traction Control (TCS), Hill Start Assist, and Auto Brake Hold.

For advanced driver assistance, Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features are absent across the lineup. The Luxury trim offers standard cruise control and a reverse camera, with an optional 360-degree camera system. Advanced aids like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) are not available, keeping driver assistance strictly to basic convenience aids.

Market Performance & Verdict

The General F9 SUV is a prime example of Foton’s push towards "passenger-focused pick-ups", marrying the rugged styling, tough ladder frame, and massive footprint of a pick-up with the passenger-carrying capability of an SUV. It uniquely carves out a niche in the market for factory-built "integrated pick-up SUVs", appealing to buyers who demand vast cargo space, heavy load-hauling capability, and rough-road readiness, without prioritising plush interior appointments or high-tech cabin gadgets.

In terms of market performance, the General F9 SUV sits in a distinct niche with modest sales numbers, remaining outside the top-selling charts of mainstream passenger SUVs.

Industry consensus highlights three main strengths: First, its immense cabin space afforded by its 5,340 mm length and 3,100 mm wheelbase, which is unmatched at this price point; second, its ladder-frame chassis, rear leaf springs, and 210 mm ground clearance, which deliver genuine payload durability and off-road dependability; and third, its 2.0T + 8AT powertrain (238 PS / 360 Nm), which provides robust performance and solid mechanical specifications.

On the downside, critiques point to its hard plastic-heavy cabin trim, which lacks the plush feel of conventional family SUVs at this price point; unladen ride comfort that suffers from the stiff rear leaf springs on tarmac; the glaring omission of ESP on the base Elite trim at the RM100k+ price range; the lack of Level 2 ADAS features; and Foton’s brand recognition and service network coverage, which lag behind mainstream passenger car marques.

In summary, the Foton General F9 SUV is a distinct proposition built on the premise of "pick-up underpinnings with an SUV body". It delivers dimensions, hauling strength, and terrain capability that conventional SUVs cannot match, but trails behind mainstream family SUVs in cabin refinement, ride comfort, and active safety tech. For commercial operators, field engineers, site supervisors, and business owners who need massive space and rugged reliability, it represents a capable, cost-effective workhorse. However, for buyers looking primarily for an everyday urban family cruiser, conventional monocoque SUV alternatives remain the more sensible choice.