2024 JAC T9 four-wheel drive ute arrives in Australia with competitive pricing, 50-dealer network

Meet Australia’s newest four-wheel-drive ute. It’s the 2024 JAC T9 from China, and it’s priced from $42,662 plus on-road costs.

This price puts the T9 at a price advantage over the mainstream range of four-wheel-drive utes in Australia, but lines it up more evenly against rivals like the SsangYong Musso, GWM Cannon Ute and LDV T60. 

While Australian car buyers might not know the JAC brand, it is one of the dominant players for commercial vehicles in its home market of China, selling a total of 592,500 vehicles in 2023. 

Around 40 per cent of that volume, approximately 250,000 units, was delivered to 130 export markets around the world.

JAC is also bringing electric light trucks and medium trucks to Australia, and has plans for a plug-in hybrid and electric ute for the Australian market.

This isn't the first time JAC has come to the Australian market. There was a short-lived first attempt back in 2012.

JAC will have over 50 dealerships in Australia when demonstrators arrive in April, and a substantial number of vehicles are scheduled to arrive in May. All states and territories bar the Northern Territory will be initially covered, but the majority of dealerships will be around the eastern seaboard.

Powering the JAC T9 is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine which makes 125kW and 410Nm, running through a part-time four-wheel drive system with low-range and an electronically locking rear differential.

Claimed fuel economy is listed at 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, while the fuel tank is 76 litres in size.

The eight-speed automatic transmission is from German company ZF, while the low-range transfer case comes from American company BorgWarner. 

The 2024 JAC T9 will be available in two different specification levels, Oasis and Haven. 

Standard equipment includes a 10.4-inch infotainment display, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, leather accented interior trim with electric driver’s adjustment, single-zone climate control, a spray-in tub liner, side steps and LED lighting all-round.

Stepping up to the top-spec Haven brings puddle lamps, front parking sensors, roof rails, a 360-degree camera system, heated front seats, auto-folding side mirrors and an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror. There’s also electric adjustment for the driver, but all models miss out on reach adjustment through the steering column.

The 2024 JAC T9 is 5330mm long, as well as being 1965mm wide and 1920mm tall. This makes the T9 slightly larger than a Toyota HiLux SR5 in every direction.

The 3110mm wheelbase is also longer than a Toyota HiLux, but not as long as a Ford Ranger.

A 2055kg kerb weight and 3055kg GVM allows for a neat 1000kg payload, while a 3500kg braked towing capacity is backed up by a Gross Combination Mass of 5930kg.

This means when towing the maximum available amount, the JAC T9 will only have 375kg of payload available, which has to account for all passengers, equipment, accessories and towball mass.

The rear axle load capacity of the JAC T9 is 1800kg, while the front axle load capacity is 1300kg.

In terms of off-road ability, JAC claims the T9 to have 210mm of ground clearance, an 800mm wading depth and 27-degree approach angle. The departure angle is 24 degrees, while the turning circle is 12.4 metres.