Australia has a new PHEV ute price-leader: JAC Hunter will start sub-$50K with 1000km range and competitive towing and payload numbers
JAC has confirmed key details of its upcoming Hunter plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute, including a sub-$50,000 starting price, 3500kg towing capacity and 915kg payload, positioning it as Australia’s most affordable PHEV ute ahead of its mid-2026 arrival.
Reservations for the new Hunter PHEV opened on May 5, with the brand confirming the entry price will come in under $50,000 before on-road costs .
That figure undercuts key electrified ute rivals such as the BYD Shark 6 (which starts from $55,90 as a cab chassis) and marks a significant shift in pricing for the emerging plug-in hybrid segment.
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The headline numbers are consistent across the range, with JAC confirming a 3500kg braked towing capacity and 915kg payload, aligning the Hunter with established diesel competitors in terms of work-ready capability.
The Hunter PHEV combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors, delivering a claimed 360kW system output — a figure JAC says is class-leading among plug-in hybrid utes currently available in Australia .
A 31.2kWh lithium iron phosphate battery supports the system, with the brand quoting a combined driving range of up to 1005km on the NEDC cycle and fuel consumption of 1.6L/100km.
As previously reported by EV Central, the Chinese Hunter has been developed with a strong focus on local conditions, including extensive Australian testing and input from engineering specialist Michael Barber, formerly of Holden and now with Multimatic, to tune ride and handling.
The new model is positioned as a direct rival to other electrified utes entering the Australian market, including the BYD Shark 6, with JAC targeting buyers seeking both traditional capability and improved efficiency.
Unlike some hybrid utes, JAC claims the Hunter is engineered to deliver full towing performance without compromise, maintaining its 3500kg rating across conditions rather than only under limited scenarios .
The Hunter will also be offered with a full four-wheel-drive system, including front and rear differential locks and multiple off-road driving modes, reinforcing its positioning as a genuine work and recreation vehicle.
Safety is another key focus, with JAC confirming a five-star ANCAP rating for the Hunter PHEV, alongside a suite of driver assistance technologies designed to meet Australian expectations .
An introductory offer will be available for the first 1000 customers who reserve and take delivery of the new ute, including a complimentary home charging unit .
Deliveries of the JAC Hunter PHEV are expected to begin from mid-2026, with further specification and pricing details to be announced closer to launch.
