Jac T9 PHEV first drive: NZ’s ‘cheapest, safest, most powerful PHEV AWD ute’

What’s this new ute all about then?

Jac New Zealand launched the T9 ute in diesel form back in January 2025. It’s now been joined by the T9 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The electrified model was previewed as a prototype at Fieldays last year, and the final production version was launched at the same event this month, on June 10-13.

The orange prototype is also back on show as it happens, although the body has parted company with the chassis to show the complicated inner workings of the electric drive. “It’s had a little facelift,” says Jac NZ general manager Andrew Craw.

Speaking of the complicated bits: the T9 PHEV matches a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors, driving through a dedicated hybrid transmsision (DHT) – which makes it more of a “super hybrid” type of powertrain than a conventional PHEV.

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Electric-assisted edition low balls on price for market distributor says is ready for change.

SUSPENSION fine tuning is being undertaken for a JAC that now sets price-leadership among plug-in hybrid utes – and more accurate efficiency figures are also promised.

Those factors aren’t expected to inhibit Kiwi interest in a model the Chinese commercial vehicle specialist today launched, six weeks ahead of planned start to sale.

The battery-enabled version of the T9 ute that debuted at New Zealand’s largest agricultural show, Fieldays, today is expected to be a star performer as fossil fuel price fluctuations cause ute faithful to think again about continued dedication to diesel.

The model’s $59,990 price is the lowest yet being asked for this technology in New Zealand in this format.

Check out the full write up below: