JAC Hunter 2026 News

JAC Australia has announced pricing and standard specification for its much-anticipated Hunter ute, with sub-$50K cost-of-entry for the petrol-electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV) dual cab sure to put the cat among the pigeons in an increasingly crowded ute segment.Starting at $49,988, before on-road costs it’s just over $6000 cheaper than the Shark 6 PHEV and appreciably more affordable than similarly specified 4WD dual cab utes like the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Toyota HiLux.Powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine and dual electric motors, the Hunter delivers a stonking 360kW and 1010Nm of combined power and torque with official combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel efficiency of 1.6L/100km (NEDC). That consumption claim equates to a combined range in excess of 1005km, although it’s important to note the lab-derived efficiency number is predicated on keeping the Hunter’s traction battery consistently charged. Claimed EV-only range is “up to 100km.”Braked trailer towing capacity is a category-competitive 3500kg and payload is rated at 915kg.The Hunter is offered in two grades, the Pro 4x4 at $49,988 and the top-spec X 4x4 sitting at $54,844, both before on-road costs.And despite its aggressive price positioning the entry model’s standard equipment list includes JAC’s ‘Super E-Hybrid’ 4x4 system boasting five terrain modes (Snow, Sand, Mud, Rock & Off-Road Crawl Control), a chrome styling package (with body-coloured exterior mirrors), leather-accented interior, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-way adjustable power driver’s seat, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloy rims (plus a full-size steel spare), keyless entry and start, tailgate with Lift Assistance, steering wheel reach and rake adjustment plus multifunction steering wheel controls.The Hunter X adds front and rear diff locks (optional on Hunter Pro), a black styling package (including black roof rails), heated front seats, a four-way power passenger seat, 360-degree camera view, front parking sensors, power-folding exterior mirrors, rear privacy glass, welcome puddle lamps and a rear 220V accessory socket.According to JAC, “Before the first customer drives home in a Hunter, it will have already completed more than 100,000km of testing on Australian roads: durability runs, towing, load-carrying, hot weather, and on- and off-road evaluation. “Vehicle dynamics were overseen from day one by Michael Barber, the respected Australian vehicle dynamic tuning engineer whose past work includes some of the country's most demanding local vehicle programs,” it said.And introducing the new ute, JAC Motors Australia Managing Director Ahmed Mahmoud said, “This isn't a trade-off between price and capability. It's proof that premium performance, advanced hybrid technology and genuine capability don't have to come with a premium price tag. We didn't build Hunter to undercut the market. We built it to disrupt it and reset what Australians should expect from a PHEV ute," he said.Vehicles are scheduled to hit showrooms from next month with registrations of interest already open. And to sweeten the deal for early adopters JAC is offering the first 1000 buyers who reserve a Hunter their choice of a free home EV charger or $500 JAC accessories voucher on delivery.

Plug-in hybrid utes are taking over the diesel dominated segment in Australia.There has been an influx of PHEV utes into the Australian market.The BYD Shark 6 has captivated buyers' attention, but it faces increasing competition from Chinese rivals such as the GWM Cannon Alpha, along with the Ford Ranger Hybrid.With these utes chasing higher payloads and towing capacities, they are battling against each other to be the dominant player in a still emerging segment.The JAC Hunter is the latest entrant, joining with a competitive price tag and performance figures.How does the Shark 6's latest predator shape to the rest of the competition?Pricing The Hunter will enter the Australian market at a price of less than $50,000, making it the cheapest PHEV ute to date. The BYD Shark 6’s cheapest pick-up variant starts from $57,900, with the Canon Alpha a small step up at beyond $60,000. The Ford Ranger PHEV has had a recent price cut, with a new entry-level XL variant arriving to slip between the Hunter and Shark 6 at $59,000 drive-away.Engine and efficiency *Driving range figures not provided by Ford Australia but calculated over several CarsGuide road tests once battery had been depleted. Ford Australia has been contacted to obtain driving range figures. The JAC Hunter leads the way for power with 360kW for its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors, with an official torque figure still be revealed.The Shark 6’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors pumps out 321kW, which betters the 2.0-litre engine and single motor from the Cannon Alpha. GWM’s PHEV ute beats the Shark 6 on torque.A new Shark 6 Performance variant is coming soon with a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It produces total system outputs of 350kW and 700Nm, and boosts towing to 3500kg, but is $5000 more than the Premium version.Ford’s Ranger PHEV has a 2.3-litre unit, producing 207kW - the least power of any of its competitors, despite competitive torque. For the purposes of a consistent comparison, more generous NEDC figures have been used where possible. NEDC testing is generally more lenient than WLTP, so real-world experience may not match up to the numbers. The important fuel efficiency figure is edged out by the Hunter at 1.6L/100km, but the GWM Cannon Alpha is not far behind at 1.7L/100km. The Shark 6 offers fuel efficiency of 2.0L/100km, with the Ford Ranger at 2.9L/100km. While BYD is the only brand to advertise its fuel use figure without a fully charged battery, it highlights the general importance of these utes having the battery charged to achieve low fuel efficiency figures.JAC has confirmed the Hunter will have an electric-only driving range of 100km from its 31kWh battery, with a total range of 1005km. The Shark 6 has a 30kWh battery, with a total driving range of 800km, and an all-electric range of 100km.The Cannon Alpha has a bigger 37kWh unit, boosting range to 1060km total and 115km for electric-only.The Ranger PHEV has a significantly smaller 12kWh battery, offering an all-electric driving range of 49km, according to WLTP standards. This also means it has the least driving range of the four. BYD’s cheapest Shark 6 pick-up variant is the only one of the PHEV utes to not offer 3500kg braked towing capacity, although there is a more expensive performance variant offering this. The Ranger has the most payload in this group, with the Hunter coming in close, followed by the Shark 6 and then the Cannon Alpha.Verdict The JAC Hunter will launch in Australia with the cheapest price for a PHEV ute by some margin, and also comes in with strong performance figures. Ford's recent price cuts make the Ranger Hybrid a more compelling proposition.But the Shark 6 remains the leader of the PHEV ute market, but with more competitors coming, it could be about to change. GWM will release a cheaper, smaller Cannon ute in the coming weeks.Chery is not too far away from launching a diesel PHEV ute, which will add further choice for buyers. 

JAC has joined the race to be the new Chinese Holden in Australia, raiding the the now-defunct homegrown brand's former engineering stocks to deliver an Aussie-feeling ride and handling tune to its vehicl