LDV Terron 9 vs JAC T9 UTE

What's the difference?

Need a dual-cab ute? You’re in luck. Not only does Australia have access to a huge variety of makes and models in the dual-cab space, there is also a huge range of prices and equipment levels.

The sweet spot for Aussie buyers, though, seems to be the dual-cab layout with four-wheel drive and enough convenience and safety gear to make the vehicle a viable family car as well as a work truck when necessary. Which is precisely where the Chinese brands including GWM, BYD and LDV have targeted their current ranges.

There’s been a lot of chat about such vehicles lately, but rather than let the formula stagnate, LDV has ushered in the Terron 9, a dual-cab that, size-wise, falls roughly between the familiar makes and models and the full-sized American-made stuff. This is a crucial point, too, as the Terron 9’s extra size might be a hint on where the dual-cab market is going generally. Certainly, every other class of car and ute is creeping up in size, why not dual-cabs too?

Like the other Chinese brands, of course, the Terron 9’s appeal will largely be based on value for money, so it’s worth picking the car apart to find out how it stands in that regard. But this is 2025, so the Terron 9 is also going to have to produce the goods in terms of driving ability and safety, that modern dual-cab buyers are looking for.

The number of Chinese players in Australia’s 4x4 ute market continues to rise, with BYD, GWM and LDV recently joined by JAC Motors (Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Company Ltd) with its T9 offering.

Although unfamiliar to most Aussies, JAC has more than six decades of experience in Chinese automotive design and manufacture, starting in 1964 as a domestic truck maker before diversifying into passenger vehicles, utes and minivans. It now exports to 132 countries.

We recently assessed the new T9 from a tradie’s perspective, to see if it has the credentials needed to become a serious player in the local 4x4 ute market for budget-priced utes.