JAC T9 in Malaysia: Ready Diesel at RM119,888 vs pre-order PHEV for RM42k more – To wait or not to wait?

Pick-up truck buyers hate waiting most. A truck is bought to earn a living; getting it a day earlier means putting it to work a day sooner. Nobody has the patience to play guessing games with “estimated pricing” and “tentative launch dates”.

This time, the JAC T9 lays out a clear dilemma: the diesel Grand ES is priced at RM119,888.The price is firm, and ready stock can be driven off the showroom floor immediately; the PHEV, estimated at RM162,000, only arrives in November. That means coughing up an extra RM42,000 for what is currently the segment's sole plug-in hybrid powertrain.

One answer is already set in stone, while the other remains up in the air. The difference isn't just RM42,000—it is between “certainty right now” and “waiting to see”.

Diesel Variant

The diesel Grand ES runs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel churning out 168 hp and 410 Nm, delivering sustained pulling power from 1,500 rpm to 2,500 rpm. It is paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, a BorgWarner part-time 4WD system, and an electronic rear differential lock.

Up front are double wishbones, with a leaf spring setup at the rear, offering 210 mm ground clearance, 800 mm water wading depth, a 1,000 kg payload rating, and a 3,500 kg braked towing capacity.

This hardware is straightforward, with every component hitting the brief of what a proper workhorse needs. The ZF eight-speed unit matches seamlessly with the diesel's low-end torque; towing uphill doesn't require pinning the throttle, nor does the gearbox need to drop multiple gears hunting for revs.

With part-time 4WD and a locking rear diff, shifting into 4H or 4L over mud and gravel gives operators the direct control they value.

The cabin skips the spartan “base workhorse” treatment. Seven airbags—including a front centre airbag and full-length side curtain airbags—come standard, alongside a 10.4-inch portrait touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

A wireless charging pad, cooled centre console box, powered driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, 360-degree camera, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) with steering correction are all standard fit.

Warranty coverage stands at 5 years with unlimited mileage for the vehicle, plus an 8-year unlimited mileage engine warranty reserved for the first owner.

For a diesel truck sitting around the RM120,000 mark, this equipment list is remarkably generous. Seven airbags are far from a given at this price point, while the 10.4-inch screen and wireless CarPlay are convenience features you interact with daily.

The Grand ES didn't cut daily creature comforts just to keep entry pricing low; it simply opted not to spend the budget on performance surplus and electrification.

PHEV Variant

The PHEV carries an estimated price tag of RM162,000—a RM42,000 premium over the diesel. That extra cash boils down to two key aspects.

The first is performance. Pairing a 2.0-litre turbo petrol mill with dual front and rear electric motors, it yields a combined 523 PS and 1,000 Nm, dispatching the 0–100 km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds on to a 170 km/h top speed. The diesel's 168 hp and 410 Nm look pedestrian beside these numbers.

Yet outright pace in a pick-up isn't the same as in a performance car. The PHEV's towing capacity remains rated at 3,500 kg, matching the diesel. The horsepower has more than doubled, but hauling capability hasn't grown alongside it. In a truck, 523 PS is largely a luxury—thrilling when tapped, but unnecessary for getting the job done—rather than enabling tasks beyond the diesel's scope.

The second aspect is electrification and ride dynamics. It packs a 31.2 kWh LFP battery pack providing roughly 100 km of pure EV range (NEDC) and an overall range of around 1,000 km. It also features a 15 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external supply capable of powering heavy-duty site tools, camping setups, or serving as backup power during outages—versatility the diesel cannot match.

Underneath, the rear suspension swaps out leaf springs for a multi-link arrangement, delivering a tangible improvement in rear passenger ride comfort on tarmac. ADAS 2.0, a 360-degree camera, and an ANCAP five-star safety rating are also part of the package.

If your daily commute falls comfortably within that 100 km EV range and you have dedicated home or worksite charging, the PHEV can double as a daily EV, drastically lowering fuel expenses. However, that RM42,000 premium isn't primarily justified by fuel savings—it pays for onboard electrical utility and a far more passenger-oriented suspension.

Looking at the PHEV simply as a “cheaper-to-run T9” misses the point; view it instead as a “truck that works hard, drives like an EV, and functions as a mobile generator”, and the RM42,000 premium suddenly makes sense.

CKD Timeline

Local assembly plans for the JAC T9 are well underway. Built at the Feytech facility in Kulim, Kedah, the PHEV will initially debut as a fully imported CBU model in November 2026 before transitioning to CKD assembly. The diesel and all-electric variants will follow later, with CKD production slated to kick off in January 2027 with an initial capacity of 3,000 units per annum and a targeted 30% local content.

The diesel Grand ES's current RM119,888 figure is a locked-in CBU price; whether pricing and specifications will be revised once CKD units arrive remains unconfirmed until officially announced.

With the PHEV arriving first via the CBU route, early adopters will receive fully imported units, with final retail pricing and spec levels subject to its formal launch.

The rationale for buying the diesel now is straightforward: confirmed pricing, confirmed specs, confirmed warranty, and ready units without waiting. An 8-year engine warranty provides long-term peace of mind.

On the other hand, the case for waiting on the PHEV is equally clear: if the 100 km pure EV range fits your daily driving pattern, its 15 kW V2L and 523 PS deliver capabilities the diesel cannot provide. Waiting a little longer for a vastly different powertrain is a manageable compromise—provided you can stomach the ambiguity of an “estimated” figure.

The Verdict

At RM119,888, the diesel Grand ES delivers a generously equipped, well-backed diesel pick-up that you can drive home today. With 168 hp, 410 Nm, a ZF eight-speed auto, part-time 4WD with locking diff, 1,000 kg payload, 3,500 kg towing capacity, seven airbags, full ADAS suite, and an 8-year engine warranty, everything is guaranteed the moment you sign the booking form. For dependability and sheer work utility, it ticks every box.

The PHEV, at an estimated RM162,000, offers an ownership proposition unmatched in the current truck market.

With 523 PS, 1,000 Nm, 100 km pure electric range, 15 kW V2L output, and multi-link coil suspension, buyers who have regular access to charging, short daily commutes, and a real use case for off-grid power will find tangible value in that RM42,000 premium.

Even so, official retail pricing has yet to be finalised, and Malaysian-spec details are still pending confirmation.

The all-electric T9 EV falls outside this equation altogether. Priced at RM199,888 with an operating range of around 340 km, its operational footprint and charging requirements don't align with the demands placed on a primary work truck. It remains better suited as a specialised fleet addition rather than a direct replacement for diesel power.

The diesel variant is ready to get down to business today; the PHEV is well worth the wait, provided you are comfortable with an “estimated” status. The RM42,000 difference doesn't simply buy “better”—it buys “different”.

The diesel provides guaranteed workhorse capability and certainty right now; the PHEV is poised with electrified performance and versatility, waiting only for its final price and spec sheets to land.

(Image source: wheelsage.org)

Specification Comparison

Note: Prices are on-the-road (OTR) for Peninsular Malaysia, excluding insurance. CKD assembly will be undertaken at the Feytech/FT Assembly plant in Kulim, Kedah, starting with the PHEV in November 2026, followed by the diesel and pure electric versions from January 2027.