Decision time. You’re in the market for a lifestyle bakkie and feel a little miffed that some dolled-up double cabs are now retailing for north of R1m.
Since your phone, clothes and many of your home appliances are made in China, you’re thinking maybe it’s time to consider a vehicle from behind the red curtain and save some money.
The market has recently been inundated with new Chinese pickups, with the JAC T9 one of the most conspicuous for its striking design and eye-catching prices.
Looking like a prop from a Mad Max movie, the T9 has a powerful street presence with its cathedral-organ grille and bold black wheel arches, and from early impressions there is substance behind the striking facade.
JAC is a relative newcomer in SA but has six decades’ experience in China and recently became 50% owned by Volkswagen.
The new T9 is the premier offering in the T-Series range that has been offered in SA for six years. Available through a network of over 70 dealers, the T9 arrived in SA a few months after its global unveiling at the 2023 Shanghai Automotive Show. The range has four models ranging from R549,900 to R659,900 — prices that significantly undercut legacy rivals such as the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max.
On test is the high-specced, two-wheel drive JAC T9 Super Lux selling for R599,900, a family double cab that is bundled with an array of luxuries and safety. All T9 models have active and passive safety features including six airbags, stability control, hill-hold assist, ABS brakes, tyre pressure monitoring and automatic headlamps.
The roomy cabin feels premium with diamond-stitched leather on the seats and doors, and a soft-touch dashboard and padded armrests creating a stylish environment.
The 10.4-inch infotainment screen has large, easy-to-select icons and offers wired connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are phone charging ports in the front and rear.
The seats are comfortable and the front two pews are electrically adjustable and heated. The steering wheel can be set for height but its lack of reach adjustment is baffling in the otherwise highly-specced vehicle, and makes it more difficult to set an ideal driving position.
Another quirk is the “intersection view” that pops up on the infotainment screen each time you stop at an intersection with the indicator on. It prevents the infotainment system from being used when it would be safest, i.e. when stationary.
It is a refined bakkie that hums along in relative silence, with a muted engine that doesn’t sound too agricultural. The T9 cruises over uneven terrain with decent ride comfort for a bakkie.
A 2.0l petrol turbo engine is in the pipeline but for now the T9 range is available solely with a 2.0l turbo diesel with outputs of 125kW and 410Nm.
Performance is satisfyingly eager and the JAC gets off the mark without significant turbo lag. There’s a good spread of torque across the rev range thanks to a variable geometry turbocharger, and the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is a clean-shifting pleasure. There are driving modes for Normal, Sport, Snow and Eco.
In terms of running costs, the T9 is one of the most frugal double cabs we’ve tested, averaging 8l /100km in a town/freeway mix, which is very close to the factory-claimed 7.8l.
Service intervals are 20,000km/12 months, with the initial service due at 10,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.
The two-wheel drive double cab has limited off road aspirations, and there is no rear diff lock to provide extra traction. The elevated 210mm ride height and chunky high-profile 265/60 R18 tyres do provide some rough road ability though.
An 80l fuel tank provides a long range and the vehicle makes a good workhorse with a 1,000kg load capacity, anti-scratch bedliner and braked 3.5 tonne towing ability. The lockable tailgate is connected to the central locking system and securing the vehicle takes one click.
Chinese brands have made a big impact in the passenger car market of late but have failed to make similar inroads in the bakkie segment.
JAC has been relatively off-grid in SA until now with a trickle of sales, but the T9 could help make the Chinese brand more of a disruptor in a one-tonne bakkie market strongly ruled by old-guard brand loyalty. On first experience the boldly styled JAC T9 is an admirable effort, a refined and comfortable double cab alternative to more expensive legacy rivals.
As usual the caveat with new Chinese brands is that the durability and resale values are unknown factors, but the Volkswagen connection and five-year warranty may help assuage such fears.
Tech specs
ENGINE
Type: Four-cylinder diesel turbo
Capacity: 2.0l
Power: 125kW
Torque: 410Nm
TRANSMISSION
Type: Eight-speed auto
DRIVETRAIN
Type: Rear-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
Top speed: 150km/h
0-100km/h: n/a
Fuel consumption: 7.8l/100km (claimed), 8.0l/100km (as tested)
Emissions: 223g/km
Standard features
Stability control, ABS brakes, seven airbags, automatic lights, rain sensor, keyless central locking, touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, USB ports, wireless phone charger, climate control, digital instrument panel, LED daytime running lights, surround view parking camera, electric windows, leather upholstery, multifunction steering wheel, driving modes, electrically adjustable front seats, front heated seats
Cost of ownership
Warranty: Five years/ 100,000km
Service plan: Five years/100,000km
Price: R599,900
Lease*: R13,364 per month
* at 11.75% interest over 60 months no deposit
JAC T9 2.0CTI double cab Super Lux
We like: Price, fuel economy, refinement
We dislike: Driving position, no rear diff lock
Verdict: May make you consider a Chinese bakkie for the first time
Motor News star rating
***** Design
**** Performance
***** Economy
**** Ride
*** Handling
***** Safety
**** Value For Money
**** Overall
Competition
* Foton Tunland G7 2.0 TD double cab TLX, 120kW/390Nm - R499,900
* GWM P-Series 2.0TD double cab LT, 120kW/400Nm - R598,850
* Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi double cab SE Plus, 140kW/450Nm - R602,600
* Toyota Hilux 2.4 GD-6 double cab Raider, 110kW/400Nm - R633,200
* Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT double cab XLT, 125kW/405Nm - R648,600
* Mitsubishi Triton 2.4 DI-D double cab, 133kW/430Nm - R659,990
* Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 TDI double cab Life, 125kW/405Nm - R687,200
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.