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Australia’s love affair with the ute is legendary. Utes aren’t just vehicles – they’re part of the national identity. From the job site to the campsite, and even the school run, the dual-cab 4×4 ute has become our go-to solution for a vehicle that can do everything.
So when an all-new contender arrives promising genuine off-road clout, a car-like interior, advanced driver-assist tech, and pricing that undercuts nearly every like-for-like rival, it’s worth sitting up and paying attention.
That contender is the JAC T9, a Chinese-built dual-cab 4×4 ute with global ambitions and a value proposition so compelling it could give buyers reason to seriously rethink the usual suspects like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton.
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While the T9 might not have the same brand cachet yet, it’s got all the right ingredients to position it as one of the smartest buys in the segment.
Just ask Damo Stuart from Queensland, who didn’t know a thing about JAC until he saw one on display in his local shopping centre with a sticker saying it was priced from under $50,000. It wasn’t just the price that caught his attention, but it’s fair to say it was a pretty strong hook given the overall offering.
“Firstly, I’m not a pro car buff, just a bloke that needs a reliable, quality, comfortable ute that may carry the odd pallet when required, is good on diesel but mostly does trips to Bunnings and taking my dog to the beach, and I do like my vehicles to look aesthetically appealing.
“I poked my head inside the display ute and the internal finish, design and quality just blew me away as it really looks schmick. I looked at a lot of different utes before I settled on a JAC.
“The benchmark has really been lifted with this newcomer to the Australian ute market. For under $50k you get an affordable, great, solid, good-looking, practical ute that looks the part and which has outstanding fuel economy. It comes with the added peace of mind of a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped price servicing. The tech onboard is second to none, with options that make owning and driving a JAC a pleasure.”
Built like a proper ute should be
Let’s start with the bones. The JAC T9 doesn’t just look tough – it’s underpinned by a body-on-frame chassis developed by a company with over 60 years of truck-building experience. That matters. This isn’t a soft-roader dressed up as a workhorse; it’s based on a genuine commercial-grade platform capable of taking punishment, whether you’re towing, loading or tackling fire trails or some of those gnarly tracks to get to your favourite surf spot or camping site.
It’s equipped with a BorgWarner 4×4 transfer case offering 2H, 4H and low-range 4L, all selectable via an intuitive rotary dial. A locking rear differential can be activated up to around 40km/h – perfect for low-traction situations like mud or rocky inclines.
You also get solid underbody protection, a wading depth of 650mm, and payload capacity of over 1000kg, and the tray is wide enough to accommodate a full-size Aussie pallet. So it’s ready for the bush, the back paddock, or the boat ramp.
Suspension duties are handled by coil springs up front and a leaf-spring setup at the rear. It’s tuned for versatility, offering a comfortable ride on the road while managing the payload expected of a ute.
Efficient turbo-diesel and premium driveline
Powering the JAC T9 is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine developing 125kW of power and 410Nm of torque. No, it’s not going to break any land-speed records, but it delivers torque where it counts – down low and in the mid-range. Whether you’re towing a trailer or crawling through ruts, that 410Nm figure is more than enough.
What really impresses is the transmission: a slick ZF eight-speed automatic with well calibrated software, sourced from the same German supplier used by many premium Euro brands. It’s smooth, decisive and offers selectable modes including Eco, Sport and Snow to help tailor its response to the conditions.
Towing capacity is 3200kg (braked), giving it real-world usability for tradies, weekend warriors and grey nomads alike.
Five-star safety in a tradie’s tool kit
Here’s the surprise move: the JAC T9 doesn’t just tick all the safety boxes – it also delivers the peace of mind expected of a family chariot.
The T9 achieved a maximum five-star ANCAP rating under the independent auto safety body’s latest (2024) protocols, making it the safest ute ever tested in Australia. That’s an impressive feat in a market where some established brands have struggled to meet the new criteria with their utes.
The full suite of safety active systems include:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Rear AEB (R-AEB), Rear Collision Warning (RCW) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Lane Change Assist (LCA)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Traffic Jam Assist (TJA)
- Speed Limit Assist (SLA) and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
In a category where safety has often played second fiddle to ruggedness, the JAC T9 shows you can have both. It’s a ute you’d feel comfortable putting your family in as well as the tools.
Inside: More SUV than ute
Step inside the T9 and it becomes immediately clear this isn’t a bare-bones workhorse. The cabin feels closer to a modern SUV than a tradie rig, and that’s across both grades but especially in the higher-spec Haven variant.
Front and centre is a large 10.4-inch portrait-style infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, backed by a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster. There’s also wireless phone charging, 64-colour ambient lighting, and a cleverly integrated centre console cold box.
Seats are trimmed in leather-look upholstery (with heating in the Haven), and the overall fit and finish feel far more premium than you’d expect at this price point. Small touches like rain-sensing wipers, powered windows and, for the Haven, 360-degree camera views and puddle lamps all add up to a genuinely plush operating experience.
For those used to rougher interiors in this segment, the T9 will be a revelation.
Styling and utility that delivers
The T9 makes a strong visual statement. It’s big, bold and commands serious presence with its ultra-modern stacked LED headlights, chiselled grille, and muscular body lines.
Its 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels wrapped in 265/60R18 tyres come standard, and the tray is fully lined with tie-down points within its practical dimensions. Plus, unlike many rivals, the T9’s tailgate locks with the central locking, keeping your possessions safe and secure.
You’ll also find heavy-duty metal side steps, a black sports bar and roof rails on Haven variants. A full catalogue of accessories – ranging from tonneau covers and racks to floor mats and nudge bars – is available through JAC’s factory-backed program and covered by the same seven-year warranty as the vehicle itself.
The price that changes everything
Now for the clincher. In a market where top-spec dual-cabs routinely sail past the $70,000 mark, the JAC T9 starts from just $45,670 before on-road costs for the entry-level Oasis variant, and costs around $48,737 plus on-roads for the fully-loaded Haven flagship.
Let that sink in. You get a fully appointed dual-cab 4×4 ute with a ZF transmission, full ADAS safety suite, premium infotainment, leather-look trim, and benchmark off-road capability – all for well under $50k drive-away.
It’s a value proposition that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in the market right now. And it’s not just the price either; JAC is backing the T9 with a comprehensive seven-year, unlimited-km warranty, seven-year capped price service program, and nationwide roadside assist.
And all that is before JAC’s end of financial year offer, with both T9 variants offered with either a $3000 trade-in bonus plus a $500 fuel voucher, or a $3000 grant and $500 fuel voucher. It’s significant.
So, what’s the catch?
Honestly? There isn’t one that jumps out. Sure, brand perception and resale value are things buyers might consider, especially in a badge-loyal segment like utes.
But if you can look beyond the logo, the JAC T9 delivers where it really counts – generous specifications, tough looks, real-world comfort, and five-star safety and tech advantages over similarly priced rivals.
The verdict
The JAC T9 isn’t just a good effort – it’s a fully fledged disruptor. It proves that you don’t need to spend top dollar to get top-tier safety, spec, and driveability in a dual-cab 4×4 ute.
For fleet buyers, small business owners, or adventurous families looking for serious ute value without compromising on comfort or features, the T9 is a game-changer.
It’s not just good “for the money.” It’s flat-out good – and that’s something Aussie ute buyers can no longer afford to ignore.
And thanks to JAC TO YOU, there’s no need to visit a dealership. JAC Motors will bring the T9 straight to your home or job site for a 30-minute test drive. No showrooms. No downtime. Just smart, flexible shopping – built for hard-working Aussies like you.
The only requirement is that your chosen location falls within 30 minutes of the nearest JAC dealership. There are 58 JAC dealers across Australia and this is a limited-time offer.
MORE: Everything JAC
