Like it or not, Chinese brands have entered the Malaysian market – and this time, it really feels different. These previously unknown auto manufacturers are delivering high-quality products, packed with equipment, and pricing always seems extremely fair compared to what we’re used to.
The impact in the non-national and premium passenger car segments is undeniable – and in the EV market, Chinese brands are already dominant. Yet, for some reason, the pick-up truck market has been slower to react to these changing dynamics. To illustrate this, we’re taking a closer look at what one ambitious brand, JAC, has to offer in Malaysia and how it stacks up against an established rival.
From JAC Malaysia, we have the T9 Diesel. There is also a fully electric version – unique in this segment – but diesel remains the fuel of choice for most pick-up buyers.
The JAC T9 Diesel is offered in a single, high-specification variant priced at RM119,888. To benchmark it, we’ve chosen the Isuzu D-Max Standard. We skipped the Hilux since buyers in that camp rarely cross-shop, but the D-Max is widely seen as just as rugged and durable.
Its 1.9L 4-cylinder turbodiesel makes for a fairer apples-to-apples comparison against the JAC’s 2.0L 4-cylinder turbodiesel. Pricing is also close: RM116,999 for the D-Max Standard versus RM119,888 for the JAC T9.
Of course, there are higher-tier D-Max variants – the 1.9L Premium at RM134,649, the 3.0L V-Cross at RM141,138, and the X-Terrain at just under RM158k. We’ll reference them only when relevant to highlight equipment differences and the price premiums involved.
But for a fair comparison, the D-Max 1.9L Standard remains our benchmark. Interestingly, at this level, you’re actually saving around RM3,000 by opting for the Isuzu – if all you want is a very basic no-frills double-cab 4×4 automatic.
That said, the JAC T9 immediately pulls ahead in performance. Its 2.0L diesel produces 168hp and 410Nm, while the D-Max 1.9L makes just 148hp and 350Nm. JAC also equips the T9 with a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic, compared to Isuzu’s in-house 6-speed.
More ratios generally mean smoother cruising. Reliability still plays in Isuzu’s favour, but purely on numbers, the JAC offers more bang for buck. To match it, you’d have to step up to the D-Max 3.0L – which carries a hefty price hike and higher annual road tax.
JAC also delivers stronger hardware. The T9 rides on 18-inch alloys (versus 17-inch on the Standard D-Max – 18s only appear on the Premium and above). More importantly, it features rear disc brakes, whereas the D-Max sticks with drums.
In terms of features, the JAC T9 edges ahead again. You get rear fog lamps and LED tail lights as standard, both absent on the D-Max Standard. Inside, the JAC offers dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a larger 10.4-inch touchscreen. All four windows have one-touch up/down, and you also get conveniences like auto wipers, cruise control, folding mirrors, front parking sensors, a fully digital instrument cluster, and a 360-degree parking camera. Most of these are only available on higher-spec D-Max models.
Safety, however, is where the JAC T9 really shines. Many buyers assume pick-ups are inherently safe because of their size, but that’s misleading – ladder-frame construction doesn’t guarantee structural protection.
In Malaysia, it’s common for entry-level pick-ups to be stripped of safety kit to meet lower price points. That’s clear here: the D-Max Standard comes with just two airbags, while the JAC offers seven. Blind-spot monitoring, ADAS, and other advanced driver-assist features are all standard on the JAC T9, but only appear on higher-spec Isuzu models.
The clincher? The T9 boasts a 5-star ANCAP rating.
Of course, some truck buyers don’t prioritise value-for-money or safety tech – for them, brand loyalty and proven durability matter more than anything else. But if you take the facts at face value, the JAC T9 gives you more equipment, stronger performance, and significantly better safety – all for about 12% less than the D-Max Premium. In that sense, JAC isn’t just competing; it’s redefining what a pick-up truck at this price point can offer.
