While vehicle sales continue to take strain, bakkies still top the list of most sought after transport.
Last month the Toyota Hilux led the pack with 2,435 units sold, Ford Ranger was third behind the VW Polo Vivo, with 1,868 and the Isuzu D-Max fourth with 1,795.
It stands to reason then that other manufacturers want in on the action, which has seen a number of Chinese brands challenging the traditional Toyota, Ford, Isuzu, Nissan and Volkswagen markets.
These include the GWM P-Series and LDV T6, with some more waiting in the wings, and in this case the JAC T9.
Recently launched in South Africa, they say the JAC T9 stands at the pinnacle of its T-Series.
A few months ago in an interview with Stellantis CEO Mike Whitfield he said that the challenge of the SA vehicle landscape has come from India and China.
Almost all vehicles under R400,000 are made in India and up to R700,000, predominantly manufactured in China.
The JAC T9 falls directly into the latter category starting off at R549,900 and topping out with the 4x4 Super Lux at R659,900.
And in an economy like ours that’s taking strain, SA consumers are looking around for what gives them the most bang for buck, and that includes the bakkie leisure market.
The JAC T9 we had on test was the 2.0L CTi 4x2 Super Lux and like the rest of the range it’s certainly no shrinking violet when it comes to exterior looks.
The grille is almost Rolls Royce-esque in size and certainly can’t be missed, although it may not be to everyone's liking. Wide black wheel arches, running boards, integrated LED daytime running lights, LED headlamps and fog lamps, a roll bar and two-tone 18-inch alloys round off the picture.
The interior has a profoundly premium look and feel about it.
Diamond-stitched electrically adjustable leather sports seats, leather accented touches, seven-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging pad, 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and thankfully buttons to adjust the climate control, make for a pleasant driving experience.
Unusual for a bakkie, the JAC T9 comes with a sunroof, which adds a pleasant touch, as does a 220V inverter.
There are one or two anomalies that take getting used to, like having to touch the prism icon after the car has been switched off to get the radio to play, and while the graphics are crisp, in direct sunlight it’s not always clear to read.
Under the bonnet sees a diesel 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivering 125kW and 410Nm, powering the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic ZF transmission.
JAC says that a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, BEV (battery electric vehicle) and a plug-in hybrid are also in the pipeline for this year.
I must say that every time I’ve driven a Chinese bakkie I have been pleasantly surprised and the JAC T9 was no different. A far cry from the bakkies we drove 10 or so years ago.
The driving position is nicely raised although reach adjustment would have been a good addition for us taller drivers but it’s not a deal breaker and after a week of testing I had become used to it.
There’s almost no turbo lag on pull-off and the diesel mill feels more than the quoted figures. It quickly gets up to speed and there’s enough oomph to easily pass slower traffic.
Gearbox and throttle calibration is a little higgledy-piggledy though, something that unfortunately plagues almost all Chinese vehicles sold locally.
The ride is on the stiff side but keep in mind it’s a ladder frame bakkie and very much within spec for this type of vehicle.
There’s a rutted and badly corrugated stretch of road where I live that I use to see how vehicles handle some of the rougher stuff at speed.
The JAC T9 compared favourably to our local offerings. It feels solid with no shakes or rattles but because the one on test was a 4x2, it required some extra steering input with the back coming around freely. It did however give the traction control a decent workout as well as all four brake disks.
What impressed me most though was the 7.2L/100km I got after a week of suburban and highway driving against the claimed 7.8L/100km from JAC.
Chinese offerings have always come with a raft of standard features and the JAC T9 is no different when it comes to safety.
It’s a long list and includes six airbags including front centre airbag, Vehicle Dynamics Control, Electronic Stability Control, Hill-start Hold Control, ABS, EBD and a tyre monitoring system.
You also get front and rear parking sensors and a 360 degree view camera that comes on every time you slow down or stop to change direction, which I found rather intrusive and distracting.
Overall the JAC T9 is a very decent proposition with a decent dealer network, including Namibia, Botswana and Eswatini (Swaziland), and is something you can easily live with on a daily basis..
While South Africans are fiercely brand loyal, economic issues out of their control are likely to see them expand their search when it comes to replacing their current ride or looking to become more lifestyle oriented.
JAC recently extended their service intervals from 10,000 km/12 months to 20,000 km/12 months, with the initial service still due at 10,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first. The five year/100,000km and service plan and 24-hour roadside assistance remains
JAC T9 Pricing (July 2024)
- T9 2.0L CTi 4X2 Lux – R549 900
- T9 2.0L CTi 4X4 Lux – R609 900
- T9 2.0L CTi 4X2 Super Lux – R599 900
- T9 2.0L CTi 4X4 Super Lux – R659 900