REVIEW BY: Maroela Media | AUTHOR: Brendon Staniforth
Original Article Link: https://bit.ly/3zhkfn3
JAC is not a novelty in South Africa. We have already driven their X200 truck in 2021 and in 2022 we experienced their electric trucks. . We were recently invited to launch the T9 – a luxury lifestyle double cab pickup.
Arriving at the launch, one sees an impressive display of JAC’s entire range, from the entry-level T6, the T8, the all-new T9 and then the actual workhorses: the X200 (even a double-cab version of it) and their range of trucks – a three, four and nine tonnes.
I’ve learned lately not to fall over my feet where the Chinese are concerned. They are quick to launch a brand with an enormous ceremony… and then just pretty nothing. What I’ve seen here, however, leaves me quite impressed.
The T9 has an imposing design – certainly not withdrawn and quiet. The interior is nice and big and truly luxurious. The build quality looks good at first glance. The bench seat in the back is nice and wide and three teenagers will be able to sit there with ease. The backrest is also not cane right as in some double-cab trays. The gear lever is cute and works more fun than a button you turn like in many modern vehicles.
Under the hood sits a 2.0 four-cylinder turbo diesel engine offering 125 kW and 410 Nm. Not to be scorned. The engine is also paired with one of the best gearboxes of our time: ZF’s 8-speed auto. The same gearbox one found in a VW Amarok and up to a BMW M5.
So far, so good. Then come the gimmicks you find on every Chinese vehicle, regardless of manufacturer. An overzealous accelerator pedal. If you’re just watching for the accelerator, there’s wheel toll and a burst of acceleration you’d only expect from a sports car with a NO button from a Fast & Furious movie.
I also want to meet the guy they used to measure and calibrate the driving position and steering wheel’s position. The seat can’t set goose and all low enough, and the steering wheel again completely not high enough. I don’t see any big farmer’s boy having a Boerboel panty’s pipes tightened in there.
On the road, the JAC does tour nice and quiet, but its ride feels a little firm to me for a lifestyle-oriented pickup truck, but it’ll probably feel a lot more comfortable once a few pounds are loaded on the back.
We really spent little time with the T9; certainly not enough to give a comprehensive opinion, but we’re going to spend time with him again for a week to get used to all his goatees. The range prices between R550 000 and R660 000. At that price, I think a Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT XL double cab auto at R604 000 where I will spend my money. He is superbly calibrated and locally produced.
The series looks like this:
JAC T9 2.0CTI Double Cab Lux – R549 900
JAC T9 2.0CTI double cab Super Lux – R599 900
JAC T9 2.0CTI double cab 4WD Lux – R609 900
JAC T9 2.0CTI double cab 4WD Super Lux – R659 900
The range is covered by a 5 year/100 000 km warranty and service plan.
We will spend time with the T9 again and compare him to his rivals.
