2026 JAC T9 Haven review: A bargain or just bare-bones?

The JAC T9 is a 4×4 double-cab, body-on-frame ute that comes from Jianghuai Automobile Corporation (JAC). It follows the traditional path of 4×4 utes with a diesel engine, automatic transmission and dual-range part time 4×4. 

Starting at $42,662 (+ORC) for the T9 Oasis and stepping up to the $45,630 (+ORC) for the T9 Haven we have on test here, it represents a step back in time for 4×4 utes, a time of simpler and more working-class utes than the over complicated and expensive offerings elsewhere in the market.

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JUMP AHEAD

• What do you get?
• Engine
• Safety
• On the road
• Off the road
• Warranty and servicing
• Verdict
• Specs

What do you get?

The Haven is the top-of-the-range T9 ute and as such comes heavily loaded with features including a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with phone mirroring by cable only, quilted leather-accented power adjustable and heated front seats, 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and multiple drive modes. 

The cabin is comparable in size to a previous generation Mitsubishi Triton, so not as big as a Ranger or Amarok but big enough for kids in the back. 

JAC claims you can fit a pallet in the cargo tub while the payload is 1045kg. The GVM is 3100kg and maximum braked towing is 3200kg. The cargo tub has a spray-on bed liner but no power outlets and the four tie-downs are mounted higher than the ideal position, but at least they are in each corner. The sports bar adds nothing.

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Engine

Power to haul comes from a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that makes just 120kW of power and 410Nm of torque, and it’s backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and the aforementioned part-time 4×4 system. A driver selectable rear diff lock helps the ETC when the going gets rough. 

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Safety

The T9 has ticked all the boxes to earn a five-star ANCAP rating and that’s using the 2024 testing regime, meaning tougher testing standards. All the latest safety and electronic aids are part of the JAC package. A 220V power outlet adds to the regular USB outlets for cabin power.

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On the road

On the road, the T9 feels like an older ute in the way it rides over rough sealed roads. It’s stiff and non-compliant meaning that it jostles the driver and passengers around a fair bit. The first part of our drive in the T9 was up a Melbourne freeway which is in pretty poor condition and after an hour behind the wheel I felt like I’d done a day of off-roading.

The constant jostling and steering inputs make driving the T9 tiring. This isn’t helped by the lack of reach adjustment for the steering wheel, meaning I need to stretch out to hold the steering wheel which made the driving position uncomfortable for me. The steering column has height adjustment but that doesn’t really help taller drivers find a comfortable position. 

The double wishbone, coil spring front suspension and leaf supported live-axle rear give the T9 a firm feeling on gravel roads but that hard ride again makes life busy for the driver.

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Off the road

The T9 felt better after selecting low range and tackling some tougher low-speed obstacles. The traction control is slow to react compared to the better systems in other utes but it gets the ute up and over eventually. The T9 did need its rear diff lock to get up a familiar track that most other utes would tackle using just their ETC systems.

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Warranty and servicing

For anyone worried about a product coming from what is a relatively unknown brand in Australia, JAC offers a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty on the T9 with seven years capped-price servicing and roadside assistance. The company already has more than 60 dealers scattered around Australia and that number is growing. JAC also offers a range of factory accessories such as load covers, ladder racks and nudge bars to tailor your T9 to suit your needs. 

Verdict

The Jac T9 is one of the cheapest 4×4 utes available in Australia which will make it appealing to many, but it looks and feels cheaper than the price it is being offered for. 

As I said at the start, the T9 feels like an older vehicle and it reminds me of midsize utes from 20 years ago in the way it rides and drives. The suspension is too stiff, resulting in a harsh and uncomfortable ride, while the engine is underwhelming just like they were two decades ago. 

Sure, the T9 has the latest safety rating and tech, plus some interior niceties, but it is a long way from the class leaders in overall performance and refinement.

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Specs