We’ve driven the new T9 in China as JAC prepares to muscle in on the top-selling dual-cab ute segment in Australia
- How much does the JAC T9 cost?
- What equipment comes with the JAC T9?
- How safe is the JAC T9?
- What technology does the JAC T9 feature?
- What powers the JAC T9?
- What is the JAC T9 like to drive?
- How good is the JAC T9 off-road?
- What is the JAC T9 like inside?
- Should I buy a JAC T9?
Chinese utes are now big business in Australia, improving with every new generation while typically remaining an affordable, bang-for-your-buck alternative to the Thai-built brigade from the leading Japanese brands and others such as Ford with its top-selling new Ranger. The next Chinese dual-cab arriving later this year is the 2023 JAC T9, sold through Queensland-based importer BLK Auto and to be priced competitively against key rivals from GWM and LDV. JAC is a long-established commercial vehicle brand, which bodes well for the T9 in terms of capability. But how does the entire package stand up? Let’s take a drive in its Chinese home market to find out…
How much does the JAC T9 cost?
We’re driving the 2023 JAC T9 at the Chinese auto giant’s home base in Hefei, Anhui Province, west of Shanghai, but you might notice from the images that it’s a right-hand drive car.
That’s because it’s a South African-spec model, which together with Australia are the two key right-hand drive export markets for JAC.
Although known as the T9 Hunter in China, JAC executives have told carsales that the ‘Hunter’ name is likely to be dropped for our market, plying its trade instead with the JAC T9 moniker.
At launch in Australia in the coming months, the JAC T9 range will be offered in two model grades – the entry-level Advance, which should be priced around $42,000 drive-away, and the higher-spec Luxury tested here, which will carry an estimated $3000 premium, depending on the features count.
In China, prices start from RMB 157,800 ($A34,250), while the model most similar to the Luxury opens at RMB 177,800 ($A38,600). However, Chinese versions do not come with advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) that will be important for the Australian market.
Local importer BLK Auto has previously made it clear that the JAC T9 will be priced competitively alongside compatriot 4×4 dual-cab ute rivals, the LDV T60 (from $41,042 drive-away) and the GWM Ute (from $42,490 drive-away).
It will also be gunning for the likes of the Mitsubishi Triton (starting from $44,690 plus on-road costs in 4×4 dual-cab pick-up guise) and the Isuzu D-MAX, which was a benchmark vehicle for the T9 but starts just above $50K.
At the other end of the scale, the T9 is not likely to match the SsangYong Musso, which is priced from a highly appealing $36,790 drive-away.
What equipment comes with the JAC T9?
All versions of the 2023 JAC T9 offered in Australia should follow the path hacked out by other Chinese dual-cabs in offering a high level of equipment for the money.
There’s not a huge amount of difference between the Advance and Luxury models.
Roof rails and privacy glass are the biggest external identifiers of the Luxury grade, along with convenience items such as auto-folding side mirrors and welcome lights.
Our test vehicle also had an electric tilt/slide sunroof complete with blind, although it’s not clear if that will be standard-fit in the Australian-spec flagship model or available as an option.
Inside, there’s leather seat accenting and electric seat adjustment for the driver, extending to the front passenger’s position with the step up to Luxury trim. The highest spec also brings front seat heating but not cooling.
We’ll detail safety and tech spec in the next sections, but there should be plenty of other handy features such as climate-control air-conditioning, a 220V power outlet, automatic headlights and wipers and, on the Luxury, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Round the back you’ve got a protective bed liner too, with a non-slip surface.
The Australian warranty is expected to extend to seven years/unlimited kilometres, which is much better than the five years/200,000km offered in China.
How safe is the JAC T9?
The 2023 JAC T9 is yet to be put through independent crash testing, but executives are confident the dual-cab ute will earn a five-star safety rating from the likes of ANCAP.
Among the active safety systems fitted standard are electronic traction and stability control, while advanced driver assist tech includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and tyre pressure monitoring.
As well as warnings for front and rear collisions, there’s a door opening alert and a driver fatigue monitoring system.
In the event of a collision, there are seven airbags protecting front and rear occupants, including a front centre airbag and side and curtain airbags.
Three-point seatbelts are provided for all five positions, and there are ISOFIX anchor points on the rear bench for child seats.
What technology does the JAC T9 feature?
The 2023 JAC T9 also comes with an impressive amount of up-to-date technology including a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.4-inch central touch-screen infotainment system.
The latter offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with Bluetooth.
We found navigation of the screen and its menu system to be a straight-forward and smooth process.
The Luxury model adds a 360-degree surround-view camera for easier parking compared to the simple rear-view camera in the base spec.
What powers the JAC T9?
At launch, the 2023 JAC T9 will be offered with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 125kW of power and 410Nm of torque.
Although the displacement is smaller compared to most single-turbo diesel rivals, the outputs are competitive.
JAC is also promising a 3500kg braked towing capacity for South Africa, so Australia should follow suit.
In South Africa, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol will be available, producing 168kW and 380Nm, although we’re not expecting this to land in Australia at launch.
It’s a chance down the track, along with other confirmed powertrain options in the pipeline including a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel, a plug-in hybrid and a full-electric system. The electrified models are due to become available to the local importer during 2024, while the 2.5-litre diesel is expected early 2025.
For now, it’s the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that’s our centre of attention. A 4×2 driveline is still to be confirmed for our market, but in any case the 4×4 version will be the volume seller, driving through a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission as standard and a part-time four-wheel drive system with low-range and electronic diff lock.
There’s no official acceleration figure for the T9 unladen, but with a full payload of 1000kg it’s meant to take 17.5 seconds to 100km/h, based on the Chinese-market spec.
Australian homologation is still a work in progress, but overseas the combined-cycle fuel economy figure is listed at 8.4L/100km.
What is the JAC T9 like to drive?
Our first drive in the 2023 JAC T9 was confined to a testing facility, but it provided a good insight into what we can expect when the dual-cab ute arrives Down Under.
First off, there are three main drive modes: Eco, Normal and Sport, plus an additional Snow mode, but no dedicated off-road settings for Mud, Ruts, Sand etc.
There is a clear increase in engine responsiveness as you go up the modes, but even in Sport it would be a stretch to call the T9 brisk.
That’s not too surprising given its hefty circa-2000kg kerb mass (unladen) and large body that measures 5330mm long, 1965mm wide and 1920mm high. It rests on a 3110mm wheelbase.
Better described as adequate rather than bristling with power, the engine hustles the T9 along with minimum fuss when unladen, and the transmission (with its broad spread of ratios) kicks down upon request. There’s some diesel clatter at low revs, but nothing out of the ordinary.
When being thrown around corners, the ute remains clearly planted and there is neither undue body roll nor problems with the tyres scrabbling for grip.
At the front-end, there’s double-wishbone independent suspension with coil springs, while at the rear there’s a solid axle with leaf springs. The turning circle is a useful 12.4m and disc brakes are provided at all four corners.
It is all very civil and JAC has clearly done a lot of work on reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels.
Indeed, even when travelling on the test track at 140km/h, cabin noise remained quite low.
How good is the JAC T9 off-road?
We didn’t have the opportunity to take the 2023 JAC T9 off-road, but the course provided on JAC’s testing facility did send the ute across a variety of surfaces.
These included stretches of uneven road, stones, heavy corrugations and closely positioned humps. Going a steady 45km/h, the T9 managed to negotiate these with sufficient suspension travel and ride comfort, and equally the cabin maintained its quiet demure.
Certainly, initial impressions show that the T9 should be able to handle the rough as well as the smooth.
A 210mm ground clearance is supported by a 27-degree approach angle, which is on par with its rivals, but the 23-degree departure angle is disappointing.
What is the JAC T9 like inside?
As mentioned, the 2023 JAC T9 Luxury model we drove was a South African-spec bakkie, but the interior of Australian-bound models should differ little.
Front grab handles and side steps are provided to help haul yourself into the driver’s seat, where the utilitarian nature of the vehicle blends with many car-like touches.
There’s soft plastics on top of the dashboard and cushioned material running into the central 10.4-inch centre touch-screen display.
The plastics at the top of the doors where they meet the windows are hard, but this is perhaps no bad thing in a ute when the going gets tough.
Fit and finish is good, as evidenced by the glove box and the lid on the centre console cubby hole opening smoothly. The latter includes a ventilation system to keep items cool.
Also on the centre console are two drink holders and two USB-A connectors, while a 12V outlet is buried under a ledge where it merges into the dashboard. This is also home to a wireless phone charging pad.
Front seats are supportive and electrically adjustable.
In the rear you have a pretty standard bench. Even in the middle seat I had a hand’s space between my head and the roof, meaning that really only very tall workers are going to find headroom an issue.
There’s a fold-down arm rest with two drink holders in the centre position.
At the back of the centre console are dual air vents and buried at the bottom behind a cover another USB outlet plus a 220V socket.
The tailgate is heavy, certainly a two hander, and the bed has 1520mm length and 1590mm width.
Should I buy a JAC T9?
The 2023 JAC T9 was benchmarked against the Isuzu D-MAX, and although initial impressions don’t place it at the level of the popular Japanese ute, the Chinese newcomer is a serious contender.
Of course, we can’t yet judge all-important issues such as reliability, while Australian pricing and specifications are still to be nailed down.
Driving on Australian roads, in off-road conditions and with varying loads will also be important.
But from this first drive, the JAC T9 ticks plenty of boxes and has a level of capability that should ensure the new dual-cab makes its presence felt when it launches Down Under.
2023 JAC T9 at a glance:
Price: From $42,000 drive-away (estimated)
Available: Late 2023
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 125kW/410Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.4L/100km (supplied)
CO2: 222g/km (supplied)
Safety rating: Not tested
Keyword: JAC T9 2023 Review