The 2025 JAC Hunter PHEV has landed on Australian shores, bringing with it an intriguing blend of capability, technology, and most notably, electrification to a segment that has been relatively slow to embrace alternative powertrains.
As Aussie ute buyers increasingly look for vehicles that can balance work-week utility with weekend adventure – all while keeping an eye on fuel economy – JAC’s timing couldn’t be better.
The Hunter enters a battlefield dominated by familiar names like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, while also facing off against fellow Chinese competitor GWM and its new Shark 6.
But does the Hunter have what it takes to carve out its own territory in Australia’s most passionate vehicle segment?
Let’s take a deep dive into what makes this newcomer worthy of attention.
Design and Exterior: Blending Toughness with Modernity
First impressions matter, and the JAC Hunter PHEV makes a strong one with its bold, muscular stance that communicates capability without resorting to overwrought aggression.
The front fascia features a prominent hexagonal grille flanked by slim LED headlights that sweep back into the fenders, creating a distinctive light signature that’s recognizable day or night.
Chrome accents are used sparingly, giving the Hunter a more premium appearance than its price point might suggest, while black wheel arch cladding and rock rails hint at its off-road aspirations.
The load bed offers a competitive 1,150mm width between the wheel arches and 1,520mm length, putting it on par with segment stalwarts.
Running along the sides, a strong character line rises from the front wheel arches to the taillights, creating a dynamic profile that avoids the slab-sided look common to many utes.
At the rear, LED taillights are connected by a light bar across the tailgate, a modern touch that helps distinguish the Hunter in traffic or on the trails.
The 18-inch alloy wheels on our test vehicle strike a good balance between style and practicality, with enough sidewall to absorb impacts when venturing off the beaten path.
Overall, the Hunter manages to look contemporary without appearing derivative – no small feat in a segment where design evolution typically moves at a glacial pace.
Interior: Where East Meets West
Step inside the Hunter PHEV, and you’re greeted by an interior that reflects JAC’s global ambitions.
The dashboard layout is logical and clean, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen taking center stage, flanked by physical controls for commonly used functions – a thoughtful nod to usability that many competitors have abandoned in favor of touchscreen-only interfaces.
Materials quality is surprisingly good, with soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and door cards, while harder-wearing plastics are sensibly reserved for lower areas likely to see more abuse.
The front seats offer good support for longer journeys, with the range-topping Ultimate trim bringing heated and ventilated functionality along with leather upholstery.
Rear seat accommodations are spacious for the class, with adequate legroom for adults and a nearly flat floor that makes the middle seat more usable than in many competitors.
Storage options abound, from the large center console bin to the generous door pockets and clever underfloor compartments in the rear footwells.
A panoramic sunroof – rare in this segment – floods the cabin with light on Ultimate models, making the interior feel even more spacious than its dimensions would suggest.
The steering wheel is wrapped in leather with intuitive controls for audio, phone, and driver assistance systems, while the fully digital instrument cluster offers multiple display configurations to suit driver preferences.
Where the Hunter’s interior truly stands out is in its thoughtful integration of technology with practicality – work gloves can still operate the climate controls, yet smartphone integration and vehicle settings are just a tap away on the responsive touchscreen.
Powertrain: The Electrified Heart
The headline feature of the Hunter PHEV is, of course, its hybrid powertrain.
JAC has opted for a plug-in hybrid system rather than a conventional hybrid, pairing a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and a 19.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The combined system outputs are impressive: 255kW of power and 630Nm of torque, figures that eclipse many diesel-powered rivals.
Power is sent to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, with selectable drive modes that optimize the powertrain for efficiency, performance, or off-road conditions.
In pure electric mode, the Hunter offers a claimed 70 kilometers of range – enough for most daily commutes – while the combined hybrid mode delivers a theoretical range of over 800 kilometers from the 65-liter fuel tank.
Charging the battery from 10% to 80% takes approximately 3 hours using a 7kW home wallbox, or around 6 hours from a standard household outlet.
The transition between electric and petrol power is generally smooth, with the system preferring to use electric power at lower speeds and bringing the petrol engine online when more performance is needed or when the battery charge depletes.
Fuel consumption is naturally a key selling point, with JAC claiming a combined cycle figure of 3.9L/100km when starting with a full battery – though this rises to around 8.2L/100km once the battery is depleted and the system operates as a conventional hybrid.
For a vehicle weighing just over 2,200kg, these figures represent a significant advantage over conventional petrol and diesel rivals.
On-Road Performance: Balancing Act
On the road, the Hunter PHEV reveals itself to be something of a Jekyll and Hyde character – in the best possible way.
Around town, with the battery charged, it’s remarkably refined, with the electric motor providing smooth, silent propulsion that makes urban driving almost serene compared to diesel-powered competitors.
The steering is light enough for easy maneuverability in tight spaces, while the suspension absorbs urban imperfections with composure.
Highway cruising is equally impressive, with minimal wind and road noise intruding into the cabin – though the transition to petrol power is noticeable if not intrusive.
When pushed harder on winding roads, the Hunter reveals a surprising degree of composure, with body roll well controlled and the all-wheel-drive system providing reassuring grip even on wet surfaces.
The regenerative braking system offers three levels of intensity, allowing drivers to tailor the experience to their preferences and even enable one-pedal driving in the strongest setting.
Acceleration is brisk, with the 0-100km/h sprint dispatched in a claimed 7.2 seconds – faster than most diesel utes despite the Hunter’s focus on efficiency rather than outright performance.
Perhaps most impressive is how conventional the Hunter feels to drive despite its advanced powertrain – JAC has clearly put significant effort into making the transition to electrification as seamless as possible for traditional ute buyers.
Off-Road Capability: More Than Just Talk
Any ute with aspirations in the Australian market needs genuine off-road credentials, and the Hunter PHEV doesn’t disappoint in this regard.
The all-wheel-drive system features a locking rear differential and selectable terrain modes that optimize the powertrain, traction control, and brake intervention for different conditions.
Ground clearance is a competitive 232mm, while approach and departure angles of 30 and 24 degrees respectively give the Hunter genuine ability when the tarmac ends.
Wading depth is rated at 800mm – impressive for a vehicle with a battery pack, thanks to comprehensive waterproofing and clever placement of electrical components.
On our test route, which included rocky trails, mud sections, and a water crossing, the Hunter performed admirably, with the instant torque from the electric motor proving particularly useful for precise control at low speeds.
The hill descent control worked effectively on steeper descents, while the 360-degree camera system helped navigate tight sections between trees and rocks.
While hardcore off-roaders might still prefer vehicles with low-range transfer cases, the reality is that the Hunter’s system will be more than capable enough for the vast majority of users – and the electrified powertrain brings unique advantages in certain off-road scenarios.
Technology and Safety: No Compromises
JAC has equipped the Hunter PHEV with an impressive array of technology and safety features that help justify its position as a serious contender in the segment.
The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside native navigation and a nine-speaker audio system developed in partnership with a European sound specialist.
Over-the-air updates keep the system current, while the voice recognition system understands Australian accents better than many systems from more established manufacturers.
On the safety front, the Hunter comes standard with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition.
Seven airbags are standard, including a center airbag between the front seats to prevent occupant-to-occupant contact in side impacts.
Advanced driver monitoring uses an infrared camera to detect signs of fatigue or distraction, alerting the driver when breaks are needed.
A five-star ANCAP safety rating seems likely based on the comprehensive suite of active and passive safety systems, though official testing results were not available at the time of writing.
Practicality and Ownership: The Bottom Line
For many ute buyers, the practical considerations of payload, towing, and running costs are paramount.
The Hunter PHEV offers a payload capacity of 980kg and a braked towing capacity of 3,000kg – slightly lower than some diesel competitors but adequate for most users’ needs.
The tray includes four tie-down points, a durable liner, and a 12V power outlet, while an integrated step in the rear bumper makes accessing the load space easier.
JAC’s confidence in the Hunter is reflected in its seven-year, unlimited-kilometer warranty that also covers the battery for eight years or 160,000 kilometers.
Servicing intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000 kilometers, with capped-price servicing available for the first five years.
The dealer network is expanding rapidly, with JAC targeting 80 dealers nationwide by the end of 2025, addressing one of the common concerns about newer brands in the Australian market.
With a starting price of $54,990 drive-away for the base Excite model and $64,990 for the range-topping Ultimate tested here, the Hunter PHEV positions itself as a value proposition compared to similarly equipped rivals, particularly when factoring in the potential fuel savings.
A Worthy Contender
The 2025 JAC Hunter PHEV enters the Australian market at a fascinating time, as traditional ute buyers increasingly consider factors beyond the conventional metrics of payload and off-road ability.
With its blend of efficiency, technology, and capability, it offers a compelling alternative to established players like the Ford Ranger and emerging challengers such as the GWM Shark 6.
While brand recognition and resale value remain unknown quantities, the comprehensive warranty and growing dealer network help mitigate some of these concerns.
For buyers willing to look beyond the established names, the Hunter PHEV represents an intriguing peek at the future of the ute segment – one where electrification enhances rather than compromises the core attributes that Australian buyers value.
It may not convince the die-hard traditionalists, but for those open to embracing new technology while retaining the versatility that makes utes so popular, the JAC Hunter PHEV deserves a place on the shortlist.
In a segment often resistant to change, JAC has delivered a forward-thinking alternative that doesn’t sacrifice the fundamentals – and that alone makes it worthy of attention.
