BY COTY JUDGE HARJINDER SINGH
We took the 2025 JAC T9 EV pickup to the rocky trails of Pertak in Kuala Kubu Bharu with the noble aim of testing its off-road mettle. What started as a confident climb quickly turned into a counselling session with a confused electric truck.
The T9 EV, with its torquey electric motor and silent demeanor, rolled into the trail like it had something to prove. But once we hit the gnarly rocky sections, it became clear: this wasn’t its natural habitat. Without a central differential lock and lacking the smarts of a dual motor setup, the poor T9 struggled for traction like a city boy in hiking sandals. Eventually, because of its low clearance, it got hung up on and its underside scraping too many rocks for us to bear, and Chef de Mission, Yamin Vong, directed a turnback. He said there was another campsite nearby and no need to further test the T9 EV.
Still, let’s be fair. For 90% of pickup users—contractors, estate owners, weekend warriors, the T9 is more than adequate. It’s economical, especially if you’ve got your own charging setup, and eerily silent. In fact, its ninja-like approach might just make it a favourite among hunters quietly stalking wild boars in palm oil estates. Just… maybe don’t take it rock climbing.
BY COTY JUDGE HARJINDER SINGH