The JAC T9's equipment list is strong. This extends to 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and DRLs, auto mirrors with puddle lights and you get the side steps, the sport bar and the sprayed tub liner included, too.

Inside, there is leather trim, a 10.4-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital dash, heated front seats and some clever power sources, including a home-style plug in the back row.

Climb into the JAC T9 and you’ll find a surprisingly premium – in ute terms at least – feeling space, with the Haven flagship's leather-wrapped seats and steering wheel, and the hard plastics countered by soft quilted leather-like patches in the door panels, and a soft panel in the dash.

The screen looks good but is old school in its graphics and a bit clunky in its operation, but we're really talking big, bulky ute design here, without anything particularly standout about it.

The JAC T9 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 120kW and 410Nm, which is fed through an eight-speed automatic and delivered to the tyres in either 2WD, 4WD High or 4WD Low.

And if you’re thinking those numbers don’t sound overly exciting, you’re right.

The turbocharger helps get things moving eventually, but when you first plant your foot in this two-tonne-plus truck, not much of anything happens. And we haven’t towed or carried anything yet.

The JAC T9 is a five-seat proposition. In terms of the backseat, I had more than enough room to get comfy with my 175cm frame, and there are two USB charge points, and air vents (with no temp controls) and a pulldown divider that's home to two cupholders.

The JAC T9 doesn't have an official 0-100km/h time, but we'd estimate it to be about nine seconds.

JAC is claiming 7.6L/100km combined for the T9, but our figures have been more like 10 litres.

There’s a 76-litre tank under there, which at today’s money means about a $150 to fill up, and using JAC’s figures, a full tank should carry you 1000km.