Foton Midi

Foton Midi: Which Version Should You Choose?

The Foton Midi was offered in one generation from 2007 to 2014 as a Compact Van, with three versions: 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, and 1.6 MT. All three combine a naturally aspirated Gasoline engine with Distributed injection (multi-point), four Inline cylinders, four valves per cylinder, a Manual gearbox, and FWD.

The Foton Midi was offered in one generation from 2007 to 2014 as a Compact Van, with three versions: 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, and 1.6 MT. All three combine a naturally aspirated Gasoline engine with Distributed injection (multi-point), four Inline cylinders, four valves per cylinder, a Manual gearbox, and FWD. The key buying decision is therefore not about body style, transmission, or drive system; it is about engine output and torque. The 1.5 MT has the highest power at 103 hp, the 1.6 MT has the highest torque at 134 Nm, and the 1.3 MT is the least powerful choice at 85 hp.

Foton Midi generation and versions

There is only one Foton Midi generation to compare. The 1 generation ran from 2007 to 2014, used a Compact Van body, and included three versions. Because all three versions belong to the same generation and production period, the data records no generational change in body type, engine range, gearbox, or drive layout. Choosing between them comes down to comparing the 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, and 1.6 MT directly.

The shared specification is substantial. Every version is Gasoline-powered and has a naturally aspirated four-cylinder Inline engine with four valves per cylinder. Every engine uses Distributed injection (multi-point) and 95 fuel. A 5-speed Manual gearbox and FWD are also standard across the range. Ground clearance is 150 mm for each version, while all three use Independent, spring front suspension, Disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes.

Foton Midi engine specs comparison

The 1.5 MT produces 18 hp and 22 Nm more than the 1.3 MT, despite adding only 201 cc of displacement. It also delivers about 68.7 hp per litre, compared with about 65.5 hp per litre for the 1.3 MT. On the available figures, the 1.5 MT is both the most powerful and the most power-dense version.

The 1.6 MT adds 99 cc over the 1.5 MT, but its output falls by 2 hp while torque rises by 4 Nm. Its specific output is about 63.2 hp per litre, the lowest of the three, although its specific torque of about 83.9 Nm per litre is close to the 1.5 MT at about 86.7 Nm per litre. This makes the choice between the two larger engines straightforward: the 1.5 MT leads on peak power, while the 1.6 MT leads on peak torque.

A weight-per-horsepower comparison cannot be calculated because kerb weight is not measured for any version. Gross weight is also not measured, so the data cannot establish which engine carries the vehicle’s mass most effectively in real use.

Performance, mpg, and economy

Performance testing is not available for the Foton Midi versions in this data. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h is not measured for the 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, and 1.6 MT. Top speed is also not measured for all three versions. Peak output alone therefore cannot prove how large the real acceleration difference is.

Fuel consumption is not measured in city, highway, or combined driving for any version. An mpg comparison cannot be made from the supplied figures, and the larger displacement of one engine should not be treated as proof that it consumes more fuel. Fuel-tank capacity is likewise not measured across the range, so driving range cannot be calculated.

CO₂ emissions and ecological class are not measured for the 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, or 1.6 MT. All that can be stated about fuel is that each version uses Gasoline and specifies 95 fuel.

Dimensions, weight, and ground clearance

The available dimensional comparison does not separate the versions. Ground clearance is 150 mm for the 1.3 MT, 150 mm for the 1.5 MT, and 150 mm for the 1.6 MT. Thus, none offers a clearance advantage.

Kerb weight is not measured for all three versions, and gross weight is not measured for all three. Wheel sizes are not measured, while fuel-tank capacity is not measured. Other exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. These gaps mean that payload implications, power-to-weight ratios, tyre differences, and range cannot be used to favor one version.

Reliability and problems

Reliability records and model-specific problem data are not measured for any Foton Midi version in the supplied information. There is therefore no factual basis here for claiming that the 1.3 MT, 1.5 MT, or 1.6 MT is more dependable.

The specification does show that the versions share the same broad mechanical format: No boost, Distributed injection (multi-point), a 5-speed Manual gearbox, FWD, Independent, spring front suspension, Disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes. That similarity narrows the specification-based decision, but it does not establish equal reliability or maintenance costs.

Which Foton Midi version should you buy?

Choose the 1.5 MT if peak power and power per litre matter most. Its 103 hp is the highest output in the range: 18 hp above the 1.3 MT and 2 hp above the 1.6 MT. It also provides 130 Nm, which is 22 Nm more than the 1.3 MT and only 4 Nm less than the 1.6 MT. On the recorded engine numbers, it offers the strongest overall balance.

Choose the 1.6 MT if the highest listed torque is the priority. Its 134 Nm exceeds the 1.5 MT by 4 Nm and the 1.3 MT by 26 Nm. However, it does not lead on power: its 101 hp is 2 hp below the 1.5 MT. Torque rpm is not measured, so the data cannot show where that advantage appears in the rev range.

Choose the 1.3 MT only if the smallest displacement is itself important to the decision. Its 1,298 cc engine is 201 cc smaller than the 1.5 MT and 300 cc smaller than the 1.6 MT, but it also has the lowest outputs at 85 hp and 108 Nm. Fuel consumption is not measured, so the smaller engine cannot be described as the more economical choice.

Overall, the 1.5 MT is the clearest specification-led recommendation because it delivers the range’s highest power and nearly its highest torque without using the largest engine. The 1.6 MT is the alternative for buyers who value the extra 4 Nm over the 1.5 MT, while the 1.3 MT gives up 18 hp and 22 Nm relative to the 1.5 MT. Since acceleration, top speed, mpg, weights, reliability, and prices are not measured, those factors cannot support a different conclusion from the available data.