2026 JAC T9 PHEV First Drive: refining the workhorse

Having already made headway in the NZ ute market with the T9, JAC Motors is upping the ante by adding a PHEV powertrain to their range. And to prove this isn’t just greenwashing, they invited us to some challenging off-road terrain in Chengdu, China, to see if it was up to the brief of combining practicality with modern electric innovation.

When it comes to looks, the T9 PHEV maintains the broad-shouldered, chunky aesthetic that has made the conventional T9 easily recognisable on New Zealand roads. JAC has kept the proportions that show off the ute’s genuine work-focused heritage, and rejected the temptation to make it look like something designed merely to visually impress.