Review: South Africans Answer to an Affordable Luxury Off-Road SUV - Jetour T1
Drive Your Future
We've waited two years to have a Jetour grace our garage, and it was definitely worth the wait. The Chery Automobile Co. Ltd subsidiary launched in September 2024 with a big bang. The Jetour Dashing and Jetour X70 Plus have done exceeding well in the short space of time in South Africa, and the Jetour team should be proud of what they have accomplished in these two years.
The off-road SUV range which consists of the Jetour T1 and Jetour T2 were launched late last year, yet this year January (which is usually the slowest month of the year for car sales), Jetour recorded selling 1550 vehicles with 431 of those the T1 and 665 T2s.
The T1 is the perfect compact adventure SUV for navigating the vast South African terrains. While there are many competitors to the T1, the T1 stands out of the crowd in both features and pricing.
Let's take a look what the Jetour T1 is all about:
The Jetour T1 is available in 4 Models:
- Edge 1.5TD+7DCT 2WD
- Aspire 1.5TD+7DCT 2WD
- Xplora 2.0TD+7DCT 4WD
- Odyssey 2.0TD+7DCT 4WD
We tested the Jetour T1 Odyssey.
Exterior
The Jetour T1 is available in 5 exterior colours:
- Aqua Green
- Sand Gold
- Onyx Black
- Titan Silver
- Glacier White
The model we tested was the Jetour T1 Odyssey 2.0TD+7DCT 4WD in Sand Gold.
The Edge and Aspire version are fitted with:
- 18" Alloy Wheels
While the Xplora and Odyssey are fitted with:
- 19" Alloy Wheels
and an 18" Space Saver Spare Wheel
All models have the following standard exterior features:
- Front Windshield Wipers
- Rear Windshield Wipers
- Bonnet Gas Spring Support Rod
- Roof Rails
- Electrically Adjustable Exterior Mirrors with Folding & Heating Function
- LED Low & High Beams
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- LED Tail Lights
- LED Front Fog Lights
- Automatic LED Headlights
- Height-Adjustable Headlights
- Follow Me Home Lights
Additional exterior features on the Aspire and Odyssey include:
- Panoramic Glass Sunroof with Shade Net
The Xplora and Odyssey have an additional:
- Towbar
- Side Rearview Mirrors Projection Logo (JETOUR)
While the Aspire, Xplora and Odyssey all come fitted with an:
- Electric Tailgate
Jetour T1 XWD Mode Selector
Photo Credits Ziyaad Plaatjes
Safety & Security
All models in the Jetour T1 range have the following standard safety features:
- Front Airbags (Driver & Passenger)
- Front Seat Side Airbags (Driver & Passenger)
- Front / Rear Curtain Airbags
- Keyless Start System
- Keyless Entry (Driver)
- Remote Engine Start
- Engine Start-Stop Technology
- Front Seat Belt Reminder
- Second Row Child ISOFIX
- Mechanical Child Locks
- Speed Sensor Automatically Locks Vehicle
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Electronic Park Brake (EPB)
- Collision Sensing Unlocks Automatically
- Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
- Cornering Brake Control (CBC)
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Autohold
- Hill Descent Assist (HDC)
- Electronic Stability Control System (ESC)
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Guardian Rollover Preventer (RMI)
- Emergency Braking Double Flash Warning
- 540 Degree Panoramic View Camera
- Electronic Engine Anti-Theft
- Rear Parking Radar (PDC)
The Aspire, Xplora and Odyssey are also fitted with:
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSD)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA part of BSD)
- Rear Collision Warning (RCW)
- Door Open Warning (DOW)
While the Edge and Xplora come standard with:
- Cruise Control
The Aspire and Odyssey have a few more additions like:
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
- Active Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Adaptive Low and High Beam
- Integrated Cruise Assist (ICA) + Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
and the Xplora and Odyssey versions have the following additional Safety and Security features:
- Wading Radar
- Crawl Control Mode
With the Odyssey fitted with a full house including the:
- Front Parking Radar (PDC)
Interior
The standard interior features in all the Jetour T1 models are:
- Black Knitted Fabric A-Column Material Ceiling
- Synthetic Leather Steering Wheel with Paddle Shift Gears
- Manual 4-way Adjustable Steering Wheel Position
- 2 + 3 Seat Configuration
- Manual Foldable Rear Seat Adjustment
- 60/40 Rear Seat Split
- Rear Cup Holders
- Dual Climate Control Automatic Air Conditioning (2-zone)
- Rear Seat Air Outlets
- Central Armrest Heating & Cooling Box
- Trunk Lights
- Luggage Compartment Cover
- Push-Button Reading Light
- Manual Anti-Glare Interior Mirrors
- Front / Rear Electric Windows with Anti-Pinch Functionality
- Rear Door Privacy Glass
- Triangle Window Privacy Glass
- Rear Windshield Privacy Glass
- Sun Visor Vanity Mirror With Light
- Front Windshield Defogging
- Automatic Rain Sensors
The Edge, Aspire, and Xplora Models have:
- Mono Ambient Lighting
While the Odyssey model has:
- Multi Ambient Lighting
The Edge and Aspire models have the standard:
- Sport, Normal and Eco Driving Modes
Whereas the Xplora and Odyssey uses the:
- X Smart Mode
With the following Driving Modes:
- Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand, Rock, Eco
The Edge model is equipped with:
- 6-way Electrically Adjustable Driver's Seat Function
- 4-way Manually Adjustable Passenger Seat Function
The Aspire and Xplora models both have additional:
- ventilation with the 6-way Electrically Adjustable Passenger Driver's Seat Function and
- ventilation with the 4-way Manually Adjustable Passenger Seat Function
and the Odyssey model is fitted with:
- 6-way Electrically Adjustable with Ventilation, Lumbar Support & Seat Memory Driver's Seat Function
- 4-way Electrically Adjustable with Ventilation & Leg Rest Passenger Seat Function
Jetour T1 Rear Passenger Seats
Photo Credits Ziyaad Plaatjes
Infotainment System & Technology
The Jetour T1 range is fitted with:
- 10.25" Instrument Cluster
- Voice Control Function for the Multimedia System, Telephone, Air Conditioning, Windows
- Bluetooth / Car Phone
- Apple CarPlay Mobile Connectivity (Wireless)
- Android Auto Mobile Connectivity (Wireless)
- 1 Type-A / 1 Type-C USB Port (Front)
- 1 Type-A / 1 Type-C USB Port (Rear)
- 12V Power Interface (Front Row & Trunk)
The Aspire, Xplora and Odyssey models are fitted with a:
- 50W Mobile Phone Wireless Charging
The Edge, Aspire, and Xplora have:
- 8 Speakers
While the Odyssey is fitted with:
- 9 Sony Speakers
Engine & Drivetrain
The Jetour T1 makes use of a:
- 1.5TD (Turbo Direct-Injection) Petrol Inline 4 Cylinder engine for the Edge and Aspire
- 2.0TD (Turbo Direct-Injection) Petrol Inline 4 Cylinder engine for the Xplora and Odyssey
The 1.5TD petrol engine produces:
- 125kW Power and 270Nm Torque
and the 2.0TD petrol engine produces:
- 180kW Power and 375Nm Torque
The Jetour T1 1.5TD Edge and Aspire models make use of a:
2 Wheel Drive (2WD) Drive Train
While the Jetour T1 2.0TD Xplora and Odyssey models are 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) that uses their X Wheel Drive (XWD) Drive Train
Combined C02 Emissions on the Jetour T1 are:
- 172g/ km for the 1.5TD
- 203g/ km for the 2.0TD
Fuel economy claims for the Jetour T1:
- 7.6L / 100km combined fuel consumption on the 1.5TD
- 9.0L / 100km combined fuel consumption on the 2.0TD
The Fuel Tank for all Jetour T1 models is:
- 70 Litres
Jetour T1 Rear and Side View
Photo Credits Ziyaad Plaatjes
Pricing
The Jetour T1 pricing is as follows:
- Jetour T1 Edge 1.5TD+7DCT 2WD - R514 900
- Jetour T1 Aspire 1.5TD+7DCT 2WD - R544 900
- Jetour T1 Xplora 2.0TD+7DCT 4WD - R594 900
- Jetour T1 Odyssey 2.0TD+7DCT 4WD - R634 900
Warranty
All Jetour T1 models come standard with a:
- 7 year/ 200 000 km warranty plan
- 10 year / 1 000 000 km engine warranty, applicable to the first owner
Service and Roadside Assistance Plan
The Jetour T1 models also include a:
- 7 year/ 75 000 km service plan
- 7 year/ 200 000 km 24/7 roadside assistance (part of warranty plan)
Competitors
BAIC B30 from R519 900
Ford Territory from R594 500
GWM TANK 300 from R649 900
Haval H7 from R604 950
Mahindra XUV 700 from R495 199
MG HS from R499 900
Renault Duster from R489 999
Subaru Forester from R699 000
Toyota Fortuner from R685 900
Verdict
Our introduction to the Jetour brand with the T1 was nothing short of spectacular.
Extensive front and rear leg-room, comfortable seating, ample storage space, remarkable performance, comprehensive off-road capabilities, and a highly fuel efficient SUV are just a few reasons why we enjoyed our time with the Jetour T1.
We were very impressed with the fact that the combined fuel consumption claims for the 2.0TD is 9.0l/ 100 km which we achieved driving in and around town, and we managed to get it down to 6.5l/ 100 km on our longer trips.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ / 10
Ziyaad Plaatjes is the Co-Founder of iloveza.com & Let's Torque ZA, the Founder of the After Fajr Grind Academy, a Radio Co-Host for a youth focussed programme, Level Up, on Radio Islam International, previously a Radio Host for the longest running award-winning Motoring show in South Africa - Bumper2Bumper on Cii Radio, and a Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador, who was named one of Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans in the Arts, Entertainment, Film & Media Category.
He is a Bachelor of Commerce Honours graduate and has been running businesses since the age of 13. Ziyaad is a social media fundi and content creator, but has taken on many roles in various industries over the years. With his entrepreneurial skills and vast knowledge he assists individuals and businesses to grow and achieve their goals.
Find him at: Instagram: @ziyaad_86 / @ilovezacom / @letstorqueza / @b2bcii X: @ziyaad86 / @ilovezacom / @letstorqueza / @b2bcii Facebook: iloveza.com / Let's Torque ZA LinkedIn: Ziyaad Plaatjes / iloveza.com YouTube: iloveza.com SoundCloud: iloveza.com / Radio Islam International TikTok: @ilovezacom / @b2bcii Threads: @ilovezacom iono.fm: Bumper2Bumper Hashtags: #AfterFajrGrind #iloveza❤️🇿🇦 #LetsTorqueZA #LevelUp #B2BCii #WheresDaddyZA E-mail: ziyaad@iloveza.com
