Overview
STATE-OWNED Chinese language producer JAC has provided its T9 (or Hunter as it’s recognized in some markets) dual-cab utility in its dwelling market since early 2021, releasing the mannequin to Australian motoring media in facelifted kind from this month.
Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel unit making a claimed 120kW of energy at 3600rpm and 410Nm of torque between 1500-2500rpm, the T9 is paired solely with an eight-speed computerized transmission and part-time four-wheel drive.
Mixed cycle gasoline consumption is listed at 7.6 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions at 202 grams per kilometre. Spoiler alert, we couldn’t get inside a bull’s roar of that quantity on take a look at.
Each the Oasis (from $42,662) and Haven (from $45,630, as examined) grades are suspended by a double wishbone entrance and leaf rear association and are arrested by four-wheel disc brakes.
The T9 measures 5330mm in size, 1965mm in width, 1920mm in top, and rides on a 3110mm wheelbase. It affords a turning circle of 12.4m and floor clearance of 210mm. Kerb weight is listed at 2055kg, payload of as much as 1045kg (!), and braked towing capability 3200kg (with 320kg tow ball down weight) – 300kg wanting the phase customary.
The mannequin is one in all few available on the market that may accommodate a typical Aussie pallet between the wheel arches. The tray additionally affords a spray-in mattress liner and 4 anchor factors. It measures 1520mm in size, 1590mm in complete width, and 470mm in top.
Vital off-road geometry figures see the T9 supply 27 levels of method angle and 23 levels departure. A break-over determine isn’t out there. Water wading is listed at 650mm.
The numbers place the T9 in line with equally priced rivals together with the GWM Cannon (from $40,490), KGM-SsangYong Musso (from $40,000), and LDV T60 (from $43,148); which suggests there’s a big quantity of change to pocket compared with a equally specified Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota HiLux, or Volkswagen Amarok.
The JAC T9 arrives as customary with inclusions resembling a sports activities bar and rock-rail aspect steps, tailgate lock, LED lighting, rear differential lock and 18-inch titanium-finished alloy wheels (together with matching spare).
Paint colors embody Stratus (White), Karak (Black), Hammerhead (Darkish Gray), Salt Bush (Silver), Wren (Blue), Pink Stomach (Pink), and Huntsman (Mild Gray).
Transferring inside we discover a 10.4-inch infotainment array, leather-accented upholstery, entrance seat heating, USB-A, USB-C and wi-fi machine charging, a 220-volt energy outlet within the rear, and rear-seat air vents.
An in depth array of factory-fitted equipment can also be out there.
ANCAP Security awarded the JAC T9 a five-star ranking in August of 2024, the mannequin together with as customary adaptive cruise management, autonomous emergency braking (entrance and rear), blind spot detection, driver consideration monitoring, ahead collision warning, lane departure warning, pace restrict help, rear cross-traffic alert, and extra.
Twin ISOFIX baby seat anchorages and three top-tether factors are additionally included throughout the rear seat.
The JAC T9 is backed by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee with included roadside servicing and capped-price servicing bundle. Service intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first), with pricing totalling $3069 for the interval.
Driving Impressions
Anybody conversant in the “Jack of all trades” idiom adopted as JAC’s Australian gross sales slogan is nearly actually conscious the rest of that saying is “and grasp of none”.
Maybe there may be fact in promoting in any case…
In fact, we should maintain the value of the JAC T9 in thoughts when viewing its talents towards that of its competitors; and on paper a minimum of, this $40K ute comes with a very good set of specs, a powerful security ranking, spacious cabin, and a strong tools record.
Nevertheless it’s additionally a dual-cab ute that may be a lengthy approach behind its contemporaries in virtually each different respect – feeling very very like it may have benefitted from an Australian engineering program earlier than it entered the market.
The questionable dynamics of the JAC T9 are abetted by mechanical, street, and wind noise paying homage to a Y61-series Nissan Patrol or 70-Collection LandCruiser. It’s extremely prone to bump steer and might simply turn out to be unsteady on unfastened or difficult surfaces, a difficulty additional exacerbated by finances model tyres and numb front-end suggestions.
Average-sized potholes and undulations crash and thump by the physique, the dampers seemingly unable to suppress the repeated rise and fall of low-quality surfaces. We hit the bump stops recurrently – and with no load on board – prompting us to query simply how the car would really feel with a tonne within the tray.
JAC’s 2.0-litre engine is a vocal unit, particularly at decrease revolutions, and one that’s unwilling to rev a lot past 3800rpm. Paired with a easy shifting eight-speed computerized, it does nonetheless present ample efficiency in most situations, albeit with vital throttle lag.
Sport mode actually doesn’t appear to supply a complete lot extra response, or extra efficiency. It’s a car whose energy supply merely requires a little bit anticipation to get the perfect out of, throttle up earlier than grades and in line with fast-moving site visitors.
Working in city, freeway, and rural settings, we returned a gasoline consumption common of 10.0 litres per 100km. It’s a determine nicely above the quoted determine, however one that’s practical in view of the smaller engine / bigger car method the T9 presents.
Consistent with the T9’s robust security rating we had been happy to discover a balanced braking motion backed by the reassurance of four-wheel discs. Even on unfastened surfaces (and with these dreadful Giti tyres), the 2055kg (kerb) dual-cab pulled up somewhat nicely, the ABS seemingly nicely calibrated to sealed and unsealed roads alike.
In fact, the JAC T9 additionally affords a protracted record of security bells and whistles – virtually actually. Like many Chinese language manufacturers, the ADAS applied sciences within the T9 are overly reactive, chiming in on the mildest infraction. The driving force monitoring system is of explicit annoyance, alerting of distraction when making a head examine or utilizing the far-side mirror. It’s a ridiculous situation that conspires with nervous lane retaining prompting drivers to tug over and swap the methods off.
How this correlates to a “safer” driving expertise we’re but to determine…
We additionally skilled points with sensible cellphone connectivity, each by way of wired and wi-fi means. Apple CarPlay labored briefly earlier than being misplaced throughout our mortgage, the Bluetooth connection higher, however with very poor audio high quality when making or receiving cellphone calls.
On steadiness, it’s truthful to say the JAC T9 is about delivering on worth for cash. In the event you’re shifting up from a devoted older mannequin the T9 will definitely really feel like a space-age rocket ship replete with a roomy cab and an abundance of tech.
However for many who have pushed a D-Max, HiLux or Ranger lately, we’d wager it the T9 will really feel underwhelming – simply because it did for us. It’s a car that wants a severe quantity of suspension calibration to stage even its nearest rivals; and like GWM and Mitsubishi (as simply two current examples) would positively profit from a remodeling of its ADAS calibration.
