Verdict
The JAC T9 costs RM119,888 to the Kia Sportage’s RM129,639, yet brings 168 hp, 410 Nm, eight speeds and all-wheel drive against 154 hp, 192 Nm, six speeds and front-wheel drive. That is a serious hardware advantage for buyers who need a diesel pickup’s towing-friendly torque and a 5,330-mm body. The Sportage is 670 mm shorter, 477 kg lighter and has a 587-litre boot, making its five-door SUV format the more sensible family-car choice. Its RM9,751 premium buys less driver assistance, however: the T9 has AEB, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the JAC T9 if you need 410 Nm, all-wheel drive and pickup utility, while paying RM9,751 less.
Pick the Kia Sportage if a 587-litre boot, five doors and a 4,660-mm SUV body suit daily family use better.
Key differences
- Price: JAC T9 RM119,888; Kia Sportage RM129,639.
- Output: JAC T9 168 hp and 410 Nm; Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm.
- Drivetrain and gearbox: JAC T9 all-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic; Kia Sportage front-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic.
- Length and weight: JAC T9 5,330 mm and 2,055 kg; Kia Sportage 4,660 mm and 1,578 kg.
- Driver assistance: JAC T9 has AEB, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control; Kia Sportage has none of these and passive cruise control.
- Rear seating and luggage: JAC T9 has a one-piece folding rear seat with no stated luggage volume; Kia Sportage has a 60:40 split-folding rear seat and a…
T9
- 168 hp and 410 Nm turbodiesel
- All-wheel drive and ZF eight-speed automatic
- AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assistance and adaptive cruise control
- One-piece rear-seat folding versus the Sportage’s 60:40 split fold
- No steering reach adjustment, while the Sportage has tilt and telescopic adjustment
- At 5,330 mm long and 2,055 kg, it is 670 mm longer and 477 kg heavier
Sportage
- 587-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- 670 mm shorter and 477 kg lighter
- Tilt and telescopic steering adjustment
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the T9’s 168 hp and 410 Nm
- Front-wheel drive and six speeds versus all-wheel drive and eight speeds
- No AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assistance or adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,888✓ | RM129,639 |
| Body type | Pickup | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve, DOHC commonrail two-stage turbodiesel | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 168 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | 410 Nm✓ | 192 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Hyundai |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,330 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,965 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,920 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,110 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 2,055 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 587 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Open Country H/T Z | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side Curtain and Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual For Rear Doors | Manual For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Available for all seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB, 1 220-volt Socket | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.4" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Six-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Engine (1st Owner Only) | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM440 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used T9 & Sportage for sale
T9 vs Sportage FAQ
Is the JAC T9 or Kia Sportage better?
The JAC T9 is better for torque, all-wheel drive and active safety equipment, with 410 Nm, eight speeds, AEB and adaptive cruise control. The Kia Sportage is better suited to conventional family use thanks to its 587-litre boot, five doors and shorter body.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sportage costs RM9,751 more than the JAC T9. The T9 is RM119,888 and the Sportage is RM129,639.
Which has more safety assistance?
The JAC T9 does. It has AEB, blind-spot monitoring, steering-correction lane keep assistance, collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The Kia Sportage has none of those listed assistance systems, although both have ABS/EBD and stability control.