All-new JAC Hunter PHEV Ute makes global debut ahead of 2026 showroom arrival. JAC Motors has revealed the groundbreaking JAC Hunter plug-in hybrid Dual-Cab 4X4 Ute to the world at the Melbourne Motor Show.
AC Hunter PHEV reservations open May 5
- Class-leading 360kW of system power. More than any PHEV dual-cab ute on sale in Australia today.
- Class-leading CO₂ emissions of just 38g/km.
- 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
- First 1,000 reservations receive a complimentary home e-charger
MELBOURNE, Australia (April,10, 2026) – JAC Motors Australia has confirmed at the Melbourne Motor Show that reservations for the JAC Hunter PHEV Ute will open on the 5th of May, with vehicles arriving in dealerships from mid-2026.
The Hunter’s 360kW is market leading in the PHEV Ute segment. the Hunter is engineered to do more on less with combined with
- class-leading CO₂ emissions of just 38g/km,
- 1.6L/100km fuel consumption (NEDC),
- a 5-star ANCAP safety rating,
A Reward for Early Movers
JAC Motors Australia is offering the first 1,000 customers that reserve their Hunter an exclusive offer, a free home charger on delivery of their Hunter.
Safety: 5 Stars ANCAP
The Hunter PHEV Ute has earned a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, the highest possible result. It’s proof that exceptional safety and accessible pricing aren’t mutually exclusive.
Built for Australia. No Shortcuts.
JAC’s commitment to the Australian market goes beyond the test results on paper. Under Project: No Shortcuts, the Hunter PHEV Ute will complete more than 50,000 kilometres of real-world testing across Australian roads, terrain, climate and conditions specific to how Australians actually use their utes. The vehicle arriving in dealerships in late June has been calibrated for this country, not simply imported and certified.
At launch, the Hunter PHEV Ute will also feature vehicle dynamics tuned by Michael Barber, one of Australia’s most respected engineers, ensuring the driving experience is as considered as the powertrain that underpins it.
David Zhang, Deputy General Manager of JAC Motors Global, said the Hunter PHEV Ute is the Ute Australia deserves.
“Australians don’t need another soft hybrid. They need a ute that works hard, and just happens to be electrified. That is what Hunter is built to deliver. With JAC’s many years of chassis manufacturing expertise, and a powertrain engineered for real-world Australian conditions, long hauls, heavy loads, and long distances, Hunter delivers the performance you’d expect from a serious ute, and rewrites what power paired with efficiency looks like in a work vehicle.”
Built to Work, Not Just Pose
The Hunter PHEV Ute is a genuine 4WD. It features front and rear differential locks alongside five off-road drive modes:
- Snow. Optimised traction on low-grip surfaces.
- Sand. Momentum management across loose terrain.
- Mud. Torque delivery calibrated for unstable ground.
- Rock. Precise crawl control for technical terrain.
- Off-Road Crawl Control (OCC). Automatic low-speed management across the most demanding surfaces.
Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director of JAC Motors Australia, said the local response had already exceeded expectations.
“The JAC Hunter PHEV Ute has exceeded our expectations in terms of the attention it has generated from Australian buyers. When you combine a 5-star ANCAP safety rating with segment-leading power, fuel economy of just 1.6L/100km (NEDC), this is a vehicle that rewrites what Australian ute buyers thought was possible. And with 50,000 kilometres of Australian testing and Michael Barber’s vehicle dynamics tuning, buyers can be confident this is a vehicle built with no shortcuts.”
Reservation Details
Reservations open on Tuesday 5th of May, 5 pm AEST. For more information ahead of the reservation date, express interest at jacute.com.au/hunter.
Vehicles will begin arriving in dealerships from late June. The first 1,000 customers are encouraged to move early to secure the exclusive offer. Further details will be announced ahead of the reservation date.
- The JAC Hunter will set new benchmarks in electrified utility performance when it goes on sale locally in early 2026
- The JAC Hunter Dual-Cab 4X4 Ute debuts JAC’s all-new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and dual electric motor combination, which produces a class-leading 385kW and 1000Nm
- JAC Hunter is based on the JAC T9 Dual-Cab 4X4 Ute that ANCAP has recognised as Australia’s Safest Ute
JAC Hunter PHEV Ute
Set to arrive in Australian showrooms in 2026, the JAC Hunter represents a significant leap forward in electrified utility vehicles globally and in Australia.
The JAC Hunter will also be JAC’s most powerful and technologically advanced production vehicle when series production commences later this year.
This supremely powerful plug-in hybrid petrol-electric utility combines an efficient all-new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine which augments front and rear electric motors to deliver a class-leading 385kW of power and 1000Nm of torque.
This powerhouse combination comfortably positions the JAC Hunter PHEV at the forefront of the rapidly evolving electrified ute segment, outstripping its plug-in hybrid rivals for real-world performance and efficiency.
“The global premiere of the JAC Hunter marks a pivotal moment in JAC Motors’ 61-year history of innovation,” said Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director of JAC Motors Australian importer, LTS Auto.
“Australian drivers demand vehicles that offer both capability and sustainability, and the JAC Hunter delivers this without compromise.”
“We are thrilled to host this Global Premiere for JAC Motors. And we are even more thrilled to confirm that the JAC Hunter will arrive in JAC dealerships across Australia in early 2026.”
Advanced Technology Meets Practical Capability
The JAC Hunter dual-cab ute integrates cutting-edge technology throughout its practical four-door ute design. Hunter’s sophisticated petrol-electric hybrid system features a dedicated hybrid transmission. And an energy recovery system that optimises efficiency across various driving conditions.
JAC is targeting an electric-only driving range of at least 100km* from Hunter’s state-of-the-art lithium-iron phosphate battery pack. Comfortably more than its rivals and more than enough to cover most daily commutes without using a drop of fuel.
THe JAC Hunter will come with a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system. That allows owners to power tools, appliances, and even provide emergency backup power from the vehicle’s battery. Making it a versatile partner for work and adventures alike.
Inside the cabin, the JAC Hunter exhibits many of the same creature comforts that make its JAC T9 turbodiesel sibling so appealing to Australian ute buyers. The show car features a generous 10.4-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment system. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, alongside a fully digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster.
The JAC Hunter will also feature JAC’s highly-specified driver assistance suite.
Which includes:
- enhanced autonomous emergency braking,
- adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality,
- and a 360-degree camera system.
Towing and payload
JAC has also designed the Hunter to possess the hard-working payload and towing capabilities Australians expect of a dual-cab ute. Plus, the vehicle’s advanced all-wheel-drive system. Enhanced by dual electric motor precision, aims to deliver surefooted performance and handling on and off-road.
JAC Motors conducted extensive Australian testing of the T9 on which the Hunter is based. To ensure the T9’s suspension, ADAS, powertrain and cooling systems were all validated for Australia’s harsh climate and demanding conditions.
JAC Motors’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond the Hunter’s capability for zero-emission motoring. JAC’s manufacturing process employs renewable energy sources and water conservation technologies. In line with JAC’s stated mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The JAC Hunter will arrive in Australian showrooms in the first quarter of 2026. Interested customers can register for updates at jacute.com.au or at any of JAC’s more than 60 dealers across Australia.
* Notes
1 The specifications above have been supplied by JAC China. Australian market specifications will be confirmed closer to local launch.
2 The JAC T9 Dual-Cab was recognised as Australia’s Safest Ute based on its overall weighted ANCAP safety score (tested in August 2024).
3 For more information on JAC’s All Roads Assistance (JARA) warranty, see https://jacute.com.au/jara/
