Cut-price new 4x4 dual-cab ute with 3500kg towing arrives

There's a new tow vehicle in town for owners of caravans weighing up to around three tonnes or more to consider, with Chinese newcomer JAC Motors announcing local pricing and specifications for the 2024 JAC T9 ute.

The all-new five-seat ute begins arriving in showrooms across its 50-strong Australian dealer network in April and will be available with one mechanical and body specification at launch – a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel dual-cab pick-up with a 4x4 driveline and automatic transmission – but with two model grades: Oasis, which starts at $42,662 plus on-road costs, and flagship Haven, from $45,630 plus ORCs.

Both are well-specified, with exterior features including 18-inch alloy wheels (with unique design for each model), a rear hoop bar, rear step bar, tailgate locking, rock sliders and power/heated side mirrors (body colour on Oasis, chrome on Haven).

A full-size steel spare wheel is fitted to both models, while the Haven adds puddle lamps, roof rails, privacy glass and auto-folding exterior mirrors.

Cabin features extend to climate-control air-conditioning (including console box), rear air vents, keyless entry/start, 64-colour adjustable mood lighting, rain-sensing wipers, remote-opening power windows and, for Haven, an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror.

The front seats have leather-look upholstery – with premium diamond stitching and heating in the Haven – as well as six-way power adjustment for driver. The top-shelf Haven also adds four-way electric adjustment for the front passenger.

Technology is covered off with a 7.0-inch configurable dash display, while a 10.4-inch colour centre touch-screen houses AM/FM/DAB+ radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality and Bluetooth connectivity.

There’s a 12-volt socket and two USB-A ports up front, while one USB-A, one USB-C and a 220V AC socket serve the rear.

JAC wants to be on the front foot with the T9’s safety, saying at the unveiling in Sydney today that it’s confident the T9 will achieve a maximum five-star ANCAP rating. Official results should be published by the safety organisation soon.

Seven airbags are fitted – dual front, front side, centre front and curtain front and rear – along with plenty of driver assist systems, including forward collision warning, forward and rearward autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, lane change assist, emergency lane keeping, driver fatigue monitor, active cruise control with traffic jam assist, blind spot detection, rear collision warning, rear door open warning and tyre pressure monitoring.

There’s also a rear-view camera and, for child restraints, two rear ISOFIX points and three top tether strap points (although outboard points are webbed nylon).

Bi-LED headlights are standard, with auto-on, auto high beam and cornering assistance. There are fog lights front and rear, and the tail-lights are also LED.

There are seven colours to choose from, all with names that have an Australian flavour: Stratus (solid white), Karak (metallic black), Hammerhead (metallic grey), Salt Bush (metallic silver), Wren (metallic blue), Red Belly (metallic red) and Huntsman (light metallic grey).

JAC is offering the T9 with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty for both private and business buyers, with 12 months’ roadside assist free, topped up each 12 months with franchised dealer servicing.

Details of a pay-as-you-go capped-price servicing scheme will be announced in due course.

The powertrain is a 125kW/410Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel driving through a ZF eight-speed automatic and a Borg-Warner part-time dual-range transfer case.

An electrically-activated rear diff lock is standard.

Combined-cycle fuel consumption is quoted at 7.6L/100km, while the CO2 emissions figure is 202g/km. Fuel tank capacity is 76 litres.

While likely not a concern on Australian roads, specifications note that speed is capped at 150km/h.

The conventional body-on-chassis dual-cab 4x4 has independent coil-spring front and live-axle leaf-spring rear suspension, and braking is via four-wheel disc brakes.

The T9 has a relatively large footprint, measuring 5330mm long, 1965mm wide and 1920 tall. The tray, with a spray-in liner as standard, measures 1520mm long, 1590mm wide and 470mm high – large enough for an Australian pallet. Payload is 1000kg.

Off-road stats include an 800mm wading depth and a 210mm ground clearance, while the approach angle is 27 degrees and departure angle 23 degrees. Turning circle is 12.4m.

Meanwhile, towing capacity is 750kg unbraked and 3500kg braked, with a 350kg maximum tow ball download.

With a 2055kg kerb weight (for both models), GVM is 3055kg and GCM is 5930kg.

As with most dual-cab 4x4s, the T9 can’t carry a full payload and tow to its full 3500kg capacity at the same time – a minimum 275kg will have to be taken from vehicle or trailer to not exceed GCM.

An all-electric version is expected to launch at a later date.

How much does the 2024 JAC T9 cost?
Oasis – $42,662
Haven – $45,630
* Prices exclude on-road costs