Luxurious and powerful workhorse at a great price

The new JAC T9 is certainly great value for money by offering features and driver comforts that compare with brands twice its retail price.

- Gary Wium.

Gone are the days that a farm bakkie is a simple, feature-free, uncomfortable set of wheels.

Considering the affordable solutions offered by the Chinese automotive market to date, it is virtually impossible to overlook a range of bakkies that serve as affordable workhorses while doubling as luxury vehicles.

The JAC T9 is a luxurious, large and powerful double-cab bakkie, filled with an impressive range of safety and comfort features. Most of these features are not available in bakkie brands nearly double the retail value, which makes me ask the question: why, in an economic downturn, are we not pursuing brands that offer the best value for money? At some point in the not-so-distant future, I hope that someone remembers this review and the warning that it gives to the upmarket million-rand bakkie market: there is a new generation of affordable bakkies that offer the same and more at half the price.

I was provided with the JAC T9 by Mekor Motors in Century City. The request from Mekor was to put the JAC T9 to the farm test, to determine if this vehicle can survive the rough and tough terrain that most farmers must navigate on a daily basis. After driving this bakkie for a week on a range of different terrains, I can confidently give it the Farmer’s Weekly stamp of approval. I tested the bakkie on the open road, in heavy traffic and in rural farmland. This is my experience.

MONDAY MADNESS TEST