Australia’s love affair with dual-cab utes is a defining feature of its automotive landscape. From the worksite to the outback, utes like the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, and Isuzu D-Max have long dominated sales charts, with the Ranger claiming the top spot in 2024. However, a new contender, the JAC T9, has entered the fray, and it’s poised to be one of the most disruptive dual-cab utes in years. Launched in Australia in March 2024, the Chinese-built JAC T9 combines a compelling value proposition, a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and a premium interior to challenge established players. This article explores why the T9 is making waves, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it stacks up against the competition.
A New Player with a Bold Promise
JAC Motors, a Chinese manufacturer with over 60 years of truck-building expertise, is no stranger to commercial vehicles. As China’s top exporter of high-end light trucks, JAC has sold over 1.4 million vehicles across 132 countries. The T9, its first dual-cab ute in Australia, targets the budget-conscious segment, competing with the likes of GWM Cannon, LDV T60, and KGM SsangYong Musso. Priced from $42,662 (Oasis) to $45,630 (Haven) before on-road costs, the T9 undercuts top-spec rivals like the Ford Ranger Sport by up to $20,000, offering a fully loaded 4×4 dual-cab for under $50,000 drive-away.
The T9’s value proposition is bolstered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometer warranty, seven years of capped-price servicing, and roadside assistance. JAC’s “JAC TO YOU” program, which delivers test drives to your home or worksite within 30 minutes of one of its 60+ Australian dealers, adds convenience for busy buyers. Limited-time offers, such as a $3,000 trade-in bonus or grant plus a $500 fuel voucher, sweeten the deal.
Unprecedented Safety in the Ute Segment
One of the T9’s standout achievements is its five-star ANCAP safety rating under the stringent 2024 protocols, making it Australia’s safest ute based on aggregated scores. It scored 85% for Adult Occupant Protection, 87% for Child Occupant Protection, 87% for Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 89% for safety systems. The T9 excels in crash tests, earning full points for driver protection in full-width frontal, side impact, far-side impact, and whiplash tests, with adequate chest protection in oblique pole and frontal offset tests.
The T9’s safety suite includes seven airbags (including a front-center airbag), autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a driver monitoring system. An anti-dooring system warns of approaching cyclists, though it doesn’t prevent door openings. However, the overspeed warning can be intrusive, activating in school zones regardless of time, which may annoy drivers in states like NSW.
Premium Features at a Budget Price
Step inside the T9, particularly the top-spec Haven variant, and you’re greeted by an interior that rivals modern SUVs. The cabin features leather-accented seats, a 10.4-inch portrait touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, and single-zone climate control. The Haven adds heated front seats, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and auto-folding mirrors. Quilted leather door panels and red stitching elevate the premium feel, though hard plastics and clunky infotainment graphics betray its budget roots.
The T9’s practicality is impressive. Its 1520mm x 1590mm tub fits a full-size Australian pallet, complete with a spray-in liner and four tie-down points. The locking tailgate integrates with the central locking system, a feature missing in some pricier utes. However, the optional soft tonneau cover is fiddly, with Velcro fastenings that may wear out. The second row offers ample legroom and headroom, USB-A/C ports, air vents, and a 240V outlet, making it family-friendly.
Performance and Capability
The T9 is powered by a 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel engine producing 125kW and 410Nm, paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and a part-time 4×4 system with low-range and a locking rear differential. While adequate for daily driving, the engine lacks the punch of rivals like the Ford Ranger’s bi-turbo 2.0-litre (154kW/500Nm) or Toyota HiLux’s 2.8-litre (150kW/500Nm). The T9’s 5330mm length, 1983mm width, and 1920mm height make it slightly larger than a HiLux but shorter than a Ranger, with a 3110mm wheelbase.
Its towing capacity, initially claimed at 3500kg, was revised to 3200kg, falling short of the 3500kg benchmark set by most competitors. However, its 1045kg payload is competitive, and the tub’s design supports heavy-duty use. The T9’s ride quality is a highlight, with a composed suspension that handles corrugations better than many leaf-sprung utes, though it can feel firm and unsettled when unladen. Off-road, the T9 performs well, with 210mm ground clearance, 27-degree approach, and 23-degree departure angles, though its 650mm wading depth is lower than initially claimed.
Mixed Reviews and Challenges
Reviews of the T9 are mixed. CarExpert praises it as a “fully fledged disruptor,” highlighting its safety, features, and value, while Driven Car Guide notes its superior ride and interior quality compared to other budget Chinese utes. However, Drive and CarsGuide argue it struggles to stand out, citing its underpowered engine and unrefined suspension on rough surfaces. A pre-production T9’s off-road mechanical failure raised concerns, though JAC clarified that showroom models are improved. The driver’s seat has been criticized for awkward positioning, and the infotainment system, while large, feels dated.
The T9’s value proposition is undeniable, but its Chinese branding may deter buyers loyal to established names like Ford and Toyota. JAC’s limited brand recognition in Australia, despite its global success, poses a challenge. Additionally, a theft of nearly two dozen T9s during the Australia Day weekend in 2025 highlighted early logistical issues, though JAC quickly addressed a turbocharger actuator recall affecting 29 vehicles.
The Future: Electrification and Expansion
JAC is not resting on its diesel laurels. The T9 EV, set to debut at the 2025 Melbourne Motor Show, promises 220kW, 516Nm, and a 330km WLTP range, while the T9 PHEV, expected in early 2026, will deliver 1000Nm and compete with the Ford Ranger PHEV and BYD Shark 6. These electrified variants signal JAC’s ambition to align with Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), effective July 1, 2025, which encourages low-emission vehicles. JAC also plans a ladder-frame SUV by 2026 to rival the Ford Everest, expanding its footprint.
Comparison Table: JAC T9 vs. Key Rivals
|
Vehicle |
Price (from, ex. ORC) |
Engine |
Power/Torque |
Towing Capacity |
ANCAP Rating |
Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
JAC T9 Oasis/Haven |
$42,662–$45,630 |
2.0L Turbo-Diesel |
125kW/410Nm |
3200kg |
5-star (2024) |
7-yr/Unlimited km |
|
Ford Ranger XL |
$41,990 |
2.0L Single-Turbo Diesel |
125kW/405Nm |
3500kg |
5-star (2022) |
5-yr/Unlimited km |
|
GWM Cannon XSR |
$49,990 |
2.0L Turbo-Diesel |
120kW/400Nm |
3000kg |
5-star (2020) |
7-yr/Unlimited km |
|
LDV T60 Max Plus |
$45,884 (drive-away) |
2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel |
160kW/500Nm |
3000kg |
5-star (2017) |
7-yr/200,000km |
|
KGM SsangYong Musso XLV |
$46,500 (drive-away) |
2.2L Turbo-Diesel |
133kW/420Nm |
3500kg |
5-star (2018) |
7-yr/Unlimited km |
Final Words
The JAC T9 is a bold entrant in Australia’s crowded dual-cab market. Its unmatched safety credentials, premium features, and aggressive pricing make it a compelling alternative to pricier utes like the Ford Ranger. While its engine performance and brand familiarity lag behind segment leaders, its value, warranty, and upcoming electrified variants position it as a disruptor. For fleet buyers, small businesses, and value-driven adventurers, the T9 offers a lot for less, challenging the status quo in a segment ripe for change.
