2023 JAC t8

JAC t8

JAC’s T8 double cab is gunning for a slice of the fiercely contested mid-size bakkie pie, but it’s a tough fight with the likes of the Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Hilux setting the pace. On paper at least, you’re getting proper workhorse credentials without the R600k-plus sticker shock attached to the household names. Both engines are diesel — pick between a 1.9TDi and a 2.0TDi — and every T8 you’ll find right now is manual only. Thing is, there are just three T8s listed locally and that’s telling. It’s still a fringe player at best, not a mainstream choice, and if you’re after rock-solid backup or resale, that’s a real consideration. Here’s where it gets interesting: the 2.0TDi Lux Double Cab sits at the top end for R374,950, yet the 1.9TDi Lux 4x4 is R359,900, while the 2.0TDi Lux 4x4 surprisingly comes in cheapest at R319,900. That lineup doesn’t follow the usual price logic, so you’d want to double-check the spec sheets before signing anything. Most used T8s on offer are from between 2022 and 2026, averaging 39,000 km, and there’s only one new one in the mix. The 4x4 Lux spec at this price? That’s rare, especially when you look at what you’d pay for even the most basic Ranger or Hilux. Still, for South African bakkie buyers, the unknowns around long-term support and parts supply are big ones, because nobody wants a workhorse that’s parked waiting for bits.