2025 JAC T9 Haven review a new Chinese ute challenges Aussie favourites

Few countries love a good ute like Australia does. From coastal towns to the outback, the dual-cab pickup has become embedded in the culture of utility and adventure. Enter the 2025 JAC T9 Haven — a new contender stepping into the spotlight with confidence, value, and surprising refinement. As Chinese automakers continue pushing boundaries, JAC Motors’ latest release is making waves among enthusiasts and dealerships alike.

In this in-depth review of the 2025 JAC T9 Haven, we explore what makes this dual-cab ute unique, how it compares to market leaders, and why it could be the next significant disruptor in Australia’s workhorse segment.

Design and Presence: Understated Yet Assertive

The first impressions of the 2025 JAC T9 Haven come from its commanding presence, designed with both urban drivers and rugged adventurers in mind. While it doesn’t lean heavily into aggressive styling like some of its competitors, the T9 Haven is far from plain.

• Dimensions: Longer and wider than many of its class rivals at 5,330mm long and 1,965mm wide, contributing to a bold road stance.
• Exterior Features: Sturdy front grille, subtle body sculpting, black wheels, and roof rails all hint at its adventurous spirit.
• Lighting: LED headlights and tail lights come standard, offering excellent illumination and a premium look.

While the ute features a more conservative design approach compared to competitors like the Ford Ranger Raptor or Toyota HiLux Rogue, the T9 Haven’s clean lines and mature aesthetics appeal to those who prefer utility wrapped with subtle sophistication.

A Look Inside: Comfort Meets Practicality

Moving inside the cabin, the JAC T9 Haven surprises with a level of comfort and technology not often expected in this price bracket.

Interior Highlights:

• Material Quality: While not luxury-grade, the materials are well-assembled, with quilted leather-style seats adding visual appeal.
• Infotainment: A crisp 10.4-inch center touchscreen anchors the dashboard, both responsive and simple to navigate.
• Driver Display: 7-inch digital cluster provides essential driving information cleanly and clearly.
• Ergonomic Layout: Smart switch placement, a clean dash layout, and physical controls for the climate system make usability a breeze.

The seats are supportive for extended driving, and while rear seat legroom is admittedly average for its segment, headroom and comfort for three adult passengers are commendable. Further enhancing practicality are dual USB ports, wireless phone charging, and a robust air conditioning system.

On the Road: Smooth and Strong Performance

The JAC T9 Haven is powered by a proven 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine tuned for reliability and sufficient grunt.

Performance Specs:

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder
• Power Output: 125kW
• Torque: 410Nm
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: Part-time 4WD system

Thanks to the 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, shifts are smooth and well-timed. The T9 Haven delivers respectable acceleration, particularly around town and on the highway. While it doesn’t quite match the performance intensity of pricier rivals, it more than holds its own in daily driving and light off-road scenarios.

Driving Experience:

• Suspension: Torsion bar front and leaf-sprung rear ensure durability with a good level of comfort for a pickup.
• Ride Comfort: Particularly impressive on urban roads where tight curves and undulations are handled with confidence.
• Noise Insulation: Significantly better than expected. Remarkably quiet cabin even at speed.

The T9 Haven’s steering is light, making it easy to maneuver in traffic or parking lots, with reasonable feedback that adjusts as speed increases.

Off-Road and Utility Capabilities

As with any good ute, real capability comes when you leave the highway. The JAC T9 Haven proves it’s not all show with genuine workhorse ability:

• Ground Clearance: 215mm, suitable for farm trails, construction sites, and bush tracks.
• Payload: Up to 1,000kg — supporting a wide range of commercial and recreational load-outs.
• Towing Capacity: 3,500kg braked — on par with industry leaders.
• Drive Modes: Selectable four-wheel-drive high and low-range options enable traction across varied surfaces.

The JAC T9 Haven won’t out-crawl a LandCruiser but it does offer robust underbody protection and responsive traction management, allowing weekend off-roaders to access remote campsites and utility owners to tackle gravel trails without fear.

Technology and Safety Package

Surprisingly well-specced, the T9 Haven demonstrates JAC’s growing commitment to modern driver assistance and passive safety.

Key Safety and Tech Features:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Rear-view Camera
• Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Hill Start and Hill Descent Control
• Six-airbag system plus reinforced cabin frame

While it doesn’t yet include adaptive cruise control or 360-degree cameras found on more premium utes, the essentials are well covered, making it both a reliable and safe daily workhorse.

Fuel Economy and Efficiency

With rising fuel prices in Australia, every buyer wants a vehicle that can do the job without draining the tank.

• Combined Fuel Consumption: 8.4L/100km*
• *Manufacturer-claimed figure under controlled conditions. Real-world may vary.

This makes the T9 Haven competitive against rivals like the Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton, especially given its large body and strong towing credentials.

Pricing and Value Proposition

One of the JAC T9 Haven’s biggest strengths is its competitive pricing. Starting from around AUD $42,990 drive-away, it undercuts many mainstream utes without skimping on hardware or features.

Pricing Overview:

• One flagship dual cab trim available at launch
• 5-year warranty and roadside assist
• 12-month/15,000km service intervals

This value-focused approach makes it particularly appealing for commercial buyers, small businesses, and adventurous families seeking capability without the traditional price tag.

The Verdict: A Worthy Rival In a Competitive Arena

The 2025 JAC T9 Haven may not carry the decades-long lineage of Toyota or Ford, but it brings modern engineering, thoughtful design, and strong value to Australia’s ute scene. It’s not a flashy performer, yet it does the basics excellently and offers all the essentials most drivers require — and more.

Why Dealers Should Pay Attention:

• Appealing price-to-feature ratio ideal for budget-conscious buyers
• Less competition in showrooms, giving early adopters a head start
• Solid commercial and recreational appeal ensures broad market reach

As Chinese automakers refine their offerings year after year, the JAC T9 Haven represents a flag in the ground — bold, capable, and ready for the job.

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