JAC T9 2025 Review

In recent years, the pickup truck market in Malaysia has been heating up, with consumers no longer satisfied with traditional utility-focused vehicles but instead seeking models that balance off-road capability, passenger comfort, and intelligent configurations. The 2025 JAC T9 Grand ES, positioned as a mid-to-high-end 4x4 pickup, features a 2.0T diesel engine, fully independent suspension, and a wealth of intelligent safety features as its core selling points. The main purpose of this test drive is to evaluate whether it can strike a balance between "utility" and "family use" to meet the diverse needs of local users.

In terms of exterior design, the T9 Grand ES adopts a rugged and grand style, with an overall square contour enriched by refined details. The front features a large blacked-out grille, paired with silver chrome trim and LED headlamps on both sides. The daytime running lights have a distinctive C-shaped design, offering high recognition when illuminated. The side profile showcases straight lines, with a 3110mm wheelbase creating an elongated proportion. The 265/60 R18 tires, combined with black wheel arch trims, enhance the off-road vibe. The rear design is simple, with vertically arranged LED taillights echoing the front, while the rear bumper includes a silver skid plate that balances utility and visual appeal.

Stepping inside, the interior leans towards the styling of a family-oriented SUV. The center console is wrapped in soft-touch materials and adorned with silver trim for a texture that stands out among pickups in the same category. The 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment display serves as the visual focal point, featuring a clear interface and smooth operation. The fully digital instrument cluster displays information such as fuel consumption and the four-wheel-drive status, making data intuitive and easy to read. In terms of configuration, both the driver and front passenger seats are electrically adjustable, while the dual-zone automatic climate control system includes rear air vents. The rear seats can be manually folded to enhance daily usability. Additionally, features such as keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, and power-folding side mirrors come as standard, reflecting thoughtful attention to detail.

Space is one of the advantages of the T9 Grand ES. With a length of 5330mm and a wheelbase of 3110mm, it offers a spacious cabin. After adjusting the front seats to a comfortable position, there is still two fists worth of headroom; the rear legroom exceeds two fists, and the headroom is about 1.5 fists, ensuring no feeling of cramp even for passengers who are 180cm tall. In terms of storage capacity, the door pockets can hold two large bottles of water, the central armrest box has considerable depth, and the rear seats are equipped with cupholders, meeting everyday storage needs.

In the dynamic driving experience, the 2.0T diesel engine delivers a maximum power of 125kW (170PS) and a maximum torque of 410N·m, paired with an 8AT gearbox. The initial acceleration response is not overly aggressive, but once the turbo kicks in (1500rpm), the torque is released abundantly. During mid-to-low-speed overtaking, the gear shifts are smooth without noticeable jerking. During highway cruising, the engine maintains around 2000rpm, with sufficient power reserves for high-speed acceleration. The chassis uses a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link fully independent suspension setup, which is uncommon in pickup trucks. When going over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, the suspension effectively absorbs shocks, keeping the body stable and offering comfort close to that of family SUVs. The steering wheel offers moderate weight with minimal slack, ensuring good maneuverability during daily driving. On mountain roads, the body roll is well-controlled, and overall handling surpasses that of traditional leaf-spring pickup trucks.

In terms of fuel consumption, this test drive covered urban congestion, highway cruising, and rural roads, with a combined fuel consumption of about 8.5L/100km. For a 2,055kg 4x4 pickup, this performance is considered to be above average in the same class. Regarding safety features, functions such as 7 airbags, ACC adaptive cruise control, 360-degree panoramic view, lane departure warning, and active braking are all standard, providing comprehensive safety performance. Concerning noise control, the idle noise of the diesel engine is slightly noticeable, but once driving, wind noise and tire noise are well suppressed, and in-cabin conversations are barely affected.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2025 JAC T9 Grand ES lie in the comfort brought by its fully independent suspension, its extensive range of intelligent safety features, and its spacious interior. Compared to competitors in the same class, its configuration level is closer to a family SUV, yet it maintains the affordability of a pickup (RM 119,888), offering outstanding value for money. This vehicle is suitable for two types of users: first, families who need the practicality of a pickup but also prioritize passenger comfort; second, individual entrepreneurs who frequently drive long distances or on rural roads and require good suspension comfort and safety features. Overall, the T9 Grand ES breaks the "rough" stereotype of traditional pickups and is a balanced choice that combines utility and passenger experience.