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JAC Motors has just pulled the covers off its all-new JAC Hunter PHEV, and if the numbers are anything to go by, it’s not mucking around.
Unveiled at the Melbourne Motor Show, the JAC Hunter is a plug-in hybrid dual-cab 4X4 ute with serious grunt. 385kW and 1000Nm, to be exact. That’s not a typo. It’s powered by a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine paired with dual electric motors, and appears to be gunning for the title of most powerful PHEV ute around.
It’s based on the same platform as the JAC T9, which already holds the title of Australia’s safest ute according to ANCAP. So, while the JAC Hunter PHEV might be a newcomer in the electrified ute space, it’s not walking in without a résumé.
How does the JAC Hunter PHEV ute stack up?
The plug-in hybrid ute scene is really heating up, with players like the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha, and the upcoming Ford Ranger PHEV already jostling for attention. But on raw numbers alone, the JAC Hunter PHEV is showing up to the party with the biggest boots.
Let’s break it down:
- BYD Shark 6 PHEV? 321kW and 650Nm.
- The GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV? 255kW and 648Nm.
- Even the Ford Ranger PHEV taps out at around 207kW and 697Nm.
The JAC Hunter blows right past them with (reportedly) 385kW and a massive 1000Nm on tap. That’s more than enough to tow your boat, your mate’s boat, and probably a small moon if needed. In fact, it even out-twists the mighty RAM 1500 TRX, a supercharged V8 monster, by over 100Nm.
Landing sometime in early 2026 means it will be one of the last to arrive, but with figures like that, JAC’s clearly hoping to make up for the Hunter’s late start by storming straight to the top of the PHEV ute leaderboard.
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Electrified performance that sounds actually useful
The JACK Hunter PHEV’s plug-in hybrid setup includes a dedicated hybrid transmission, an energy recovery system, and a lithium-iron phosphate battery targeting up to 100km of electric-only range. For most folks, that’ll get you to work and back without sipping any petrol at all, which is kind of the point of a PHEV.
It’s also packing Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, which means you can run your tools or even power the coffee machine at your campsite. Handy if you’re half electrician, half barista.
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Inside the cabin of the JAC Hunter PHEV ute
Creature comforts haven’t been left out. The show car included a 10.4-inch portrait infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. It’s a familiar story if you’ve seen the T9 before. There’s also a full suite of safety and driver-assist gear, including:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
- Autonomous emergency braking
- 360-degree camera system
All of these are pretty standard these days, but they’re still worth a nod.
Built to work and play
JAC is quick to point out that the Hunter is designed to not only handle the daily commute, but to tow, carry a proper payload, and go off-road as well, with thanks to its all-wheel-drive system that blends petrol and electric power for improved traction and response. And just like the T9, the Hunter’s supposedly been tested on Aussie soil, with tuning and validation done for suspension, powertrain, and cooling systems in local conditions. In other words, it’s been heat-baked and dust-tested just how we like it.
When can you get one?
The JAC Hunter PHEV is slated to hit Aussie showrooms in early 2026, with pricing and full confirmed specs to come closer to launch.
Final thoughts on the JAC Hunter PHEV ute
Whether it’ll shake up the dual-cab segment or quietly join the plug-in hybrid party remains to be seen. But on paper, 385kW and 1000Nm make the JAC Hunter PHEV hard to ignore. Could this be the Ford Ranger PHEV rival we’ve been waiting for? Only time and testing will tell.
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