JAC T9 Review

In the past two years, the competition in Malaysia's pickup truck market has become increasingly fierce. Household users' demand for pickup trucks is no longer limited to utility purposes but has shifted towards multi-scenario applications that balance "business and family use." The T9 Grand ES 4x4 version, launched by JAC in March 2025, is targeting consumers who seek a balance between practicality and comfort. Priced at 119,880 MYR, this midsize pickup truck clearly highlights its core selling points: ample space, a fully equipped safety system, a chassis tuned for both off-road and on-road performance, and luxurious interior details rarely found in the same price range. This time, we got our hands on a test vehicle, and our core objective is to evaluate its overall performance in daily commuting, family outings, and light off-road scenarios to see if it truly meets the diverse needs of Malaysian users.

In terms of appearance, the design of the T9 Grand ES follows a rugged yet not overly aggressive style. The front fascia features a large blacked-out grille paired with sturdy chrome trim. The LED headlights on both sides are connected to the grille, giving the vehicle a high level of recognition. The body lines maintain the muscular feel of a pickup truck, while the black cladding on the doors and wheel arches enhances its off-road appeal. The tire specifications, 265/60 R18, also provide a basic foundation for off-road capability. At the rear, the vertically arranged LED tail lights echo the design of the front, with the rear bumper integrated with parking sensors and a camera. The "JAC" logo is prominently displayed on the bed lid, and the overall design aligns with mainstream pickup aesthetics while refined details make it look more sophisticated than traditional utilitarian pickups.

Sitting inside the vehicle, the first impression is that its interior quality exceeds expectations for a pickup in this price range. The dashboard is covered with soft-touch materials and accented with silver trim, while the 10.4-inch floating touchscreen in the center is intuitive and simple to use. When connecting a phone via Bluetooth or CarPlay, the response is very quick. The instrument panel is fully digital, providing real-time displays of speed, fuel consumption, four-wheel-drive modes, and more. When switching driving modes, the interface changes accordingly, offering good usability. There are many highlight features in terms of configuration: the front seats support electric adjustments, allowing both the driver and passenger to find a comfortable seating position. The dual-zone automatic air conditioning cools quickly, with independent vents and USB ports for the rear, ensuring a comfortable experience for rear-seat passengers during family trips. Storage spaces are well-designed, with a large central armrest box, door panel storage compartments that can hold large water bottles, and a wireless charging pad upfront, providing ample solutions for storing daily essentials.

Spatial performance is one of the T9 Grand ES's core advantages. Its body length of 5330mm and wheelbase of 3110mm are among the top in its class. After adjusting the front seats to a comfortable position, a passenger who is 175 cm tall still has two fists of headroom and spacious legroom. The rear seat space exceeds expectations—passengers of the same height can have a fist-and-a-half of legroom and one fist of headroom, avoiding any sense of confinement, which is crucial for users frequently traveling with family. While the bed size isn't particularly exaggerated, the height of the bed's side panels is moderate, making it easy to load and unload large items. The rear seats support a split-folding function, allowing you to expand storage space when occasionally transporting long items.

In terms of power, the T9 Grand ES is equipped with a 2.0T diesel engine with a maximum power output of 125kW (170PS) and a peak torque of 410N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The throttle response at startup is not particularly quick, but once the turbo kicks in (around 1500rpm), the power output becomes smooth and strong. When driving in urban areas, following or overtaking other cars does not require a deep press on the accelerator to get adequate power. During highway cruising, the 8-speed transmission exhibits clear shift logic, maintaining the RPM at around 2000rpm. Fuel consumption is well-controlled, with highway fuel consumption at approximately 7.5L/100km during our test, around 9.5L/100km in congested urban conditions, and an overall consumption of 8.5L/100km. For a pickup weighing over 2 tons, this performance is within the normal range.

The handling and chassis performance are surprisingly good. The steering wheel has moderate weight, and the play is much smaller compared to traditional pickups. The vehicle remains stable at high speeds, and there is no obvious body sway during lane changes. The suspension system adopts a front double-wishbone independent suspension paired with a rear multi-link independent suspension, which is not commonly seen in pickups. This combination performs well in absorbing bumps on uneven roads. When passing over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, rear passengers won't feel a strong impact. After switching to four-wheel drive mode, the vehicle handles light off-road conditions well, such as muddy rural roads or gravel slopes. The power is evenly distributed to all four wheels, and with the assistance of electronic slip control, it can pass through such terrain with ease. The braking performance is commendable too, with a moderately long brake pedal travel. During emergency braking, the vehicle's body remains stable and does not veer off course.

In terms of driving and riding comfort, the T9 Grand ES has a good level of noise control. Wind noise and tire noise at high speeds are within acceptable limits, and vibrations from the diesel engine are almost imperceptible inside the cabin. The seats are well-contoured, with soft cushions that still provide adequate support, ensuring long drives do not result in back pain. The energy recovery system (if it were an electric vehicle, but this is a diesel one) and ACC adaptive cruise control make highway driving very convenient, as the vehicle can automatically adjust speed and maintain a safe following distance, reducing fatigue during long-distance driving.

Overall, the core advantage of the JAC T9 Grand ES 4x4 lies in its "balance": its spacious interior can meet family travel needs, its rich safety features (7 airbags, active braking, lane departure warning) provide users with a strong sense of security, and its fully independent suspension design balances on-road comfort with light off-road capabilities. Priced at 119,888 Malaysian Ringgit, it offers better value for money compared to similar models like the Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger. Its target audience is clear: individuals who need a vehicle for carrying loads, family use, and occasional outdoor adventures. These include small business owners, families who enjoy outdoor exploration, or practical multi-member households.

As for minor drawbacks, the brand recognition of JAC in Malaysia is not as high as traditional pickup brands. However, from the perspective of product competitiveness, the T9 Grand ES already possesses the strength to compete with mainstream models. Overall, this is a pickup with "no obvious shortcomings". With its rich features and reasonable price, it offers a new choice for Malaysian consumers.