SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Solid value: 2021 JAC T8 d/c 4x2

Also known as JAC Juailing T8, JAC Frison T8 and KMC T8 in other markets

A serious pickup

Exterior pics by author
Interior by Quickpic
Posted: December 22, 2021

The numbers
Prices: See text
Engines: 1.9- or 2.0 litre, four-cylinder, DOHC 16-valve turbodiesel
Power and torque: See text
Zero to 100 km/h: 11.3 seconds
Top speed: 150 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 9.1 l/100 km
Tank: 76 litres
Payload 900 kg
Maximum towing mass, braked: 2000 kg
Ground clearance: 220 mm
Approach/departure angles: 30.9/23.3 degrees
Turning circle: 12.4 metres
Warranty: Five years, 150 000 km
Service plan: Five years, 60 000 km           

JAC has nothing to do with Jack and Jill fetching water, Jack of all trades or even Jack be nimble.  It is actually the trademark of Jianghuai Automobile Company, a Chinese public entity founded in 1964.


T8, the subject of this review, is a full-size (5325 x 1880 x 1830 mm) dual-cab pickup available in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. Primary selling points are solid construction, minimal gadgetry and good value.

The first version, presently being phased out, is fitted with a 1.9-litre turbodiesel and six-speed manual transmission. Its replacement, released in South Africa this past August, boasts a slightly stronger 2.0 motor and extra features. The only visible difference is “2.0 CTI” lettering on the tailgate.

The real changes go deeper. The 1.9 variant develops 100 kW and 320 Nm while offering Xenon headlights, LED lamps at the back, reversing camera and parking sensors, imitation leather upholstery, seven-inch touchscreen with USB and Bluetooth, manual air conditioning, running boards, bin bar, ABS with EBD, central locking, two airbags and 18” alloy wheels. Recommended retail prices are R402 400 for 4x2 and R452 400 for 4x4.

Two-litre models, priced R10 000 higher, offer somewhat more. The engine develops 104 kW and 320 Nm so there’s negligible difference in performance apart from spinning over at about 100 rpm less (2500 vs. 2600) when cruising at 120 km/h.  Additions, however, include ESC; hill start assistance; hydraulic brake assist; braking override, tyre pressure monitoring; traction control; vehicle dynamics control; cruise control; automatic locking at 30 km/h and nine-inch colour touchscreen with radio, MP5 capability, CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Why, then, consider a 1.9 although you might be able to haggle a little if the extra features don’t light your fire?

Don’t-likes:
•    Only the front passenger gets a climb-in handle that would be useful on the other doors too,
•    Although HVAC and music controls are straightforward, the trip computer and other menu functions are difficult to work with,
•    The alarms for not doing up your seatbelt, even while manoeuvring around your yard, and for “overspeed” are loud and intrusive. The default setting for speed warning is 120 km/h, so be sure to change that before it starts chirping at around 119.

Practicalities: Its loading deck is at 89 cm and the bin is nicely sized - 1520 mm square by 470 deep, to accommodate a payload of 900 kg including driver.

Back seat riders have plenty of head- and knee space although foot room, under a fully lowered driver’s seat, is limited. The backrest angle, while not perfect, is set more comfortably than most rivals. Facilities include three head restraints, two-and-a-half belts, two map pockets, grab handles and medium sized door bins. There are no ISOFix fittings and only a front-mounted courtesy light. Jack and tools occupy compartments under the seat.

Front chairs adjust mechanically, the steering wheel has height setting and offers music and speech remotes on 1.9 models while adding cruise control on 2.0s. Facilities include two cup holders, 12-volt and USB in a lidded compartment, a large armrest box, decently sized cubby and narrow door bins with bottle holders. This is a serious pickup, meaning no girly makeup mirror for the driver. Headroom is plentiful with this tester enjoying a full fist-width of air between scalp and hood lining.

Fit and finish is neat and tidy although picky buyers might complain that door and dash surfaces are all hard. Fact is this machine is designed, first and foremost, for work. Gearing is set for pulling rather than land-speed record-breaking, it carries a respectable load and it’s aimed at a pragmatic market.

Test unit courtesy of JAC Pietermaritzburg
                                                


What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.