Fast Facts
| Features | Details |
| Engine | 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol 4 cylinder |
| Power | 265 kW combined (100 kW Engine, 165 kW electric) |
| Torque | 610 Nm Max (220 Nm engine, 390 Nm electric) |
| Transmission | DHT (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission) |
| Claimed/ Actual Fuel Consumption | 1.3L/100km claimed with a full hybrid battery; 6.7L/100km actual combined with a 70% charged battery. |
| Total Range | 1200 km, 90km electric only |
| Battery Capacity | 18.4 kWh |
| Safety Features | 6 airbags, ISOFIX, TPMS, ADAS, 540° Panoramic View Camera, Front and Rear PDC |
| Service Plan, Service Interval, Warranty | 7 Year / 75 000km service plan with 15 000km service interval, 10 Year / 1 000 000km engine warranty (For the first owner), 7 Year / 200 000km vehicle warranty, 8 Year / 160 000km battery warranty |
| Price | from R779 900 |
Pros
- Plush interior
- Supple ride quality
- Finishing is good
- Great feature set
Cons
- Hybrid transitions need refinement
- Boot area isn't the most practical
- Not quite as brisk or efficient as you'd think
Jetour appears to have stolen South Africans' hearts lately with its T-Series range. From healthy sales to securing a Car of the Year Award, the T2 is becoming a common sight on our roads. The T2 will soon be built right here in South Africa at Chery's new production facility in Rosslyn(formerly the Nissan Plant). While Jetour and Chery currently operate independently in South Africa, back home in China, Jetour is under the Chery Group umbrella, so you'll pick up a few Chery Group idiosyncrasies in the T2. Does the T2 deserve all the praise it gets and some of the flak it's been getting for payload concerns? Let's find out in this review where we sampled the hybrid variant of the T2.
Related: Jetour to build T1 and T2 in South Africa by 2027
Styling
Boxy and rugged are easy ways to describe the T2. The rectangular motif is strong here and works in the T2's favour. In front, there's bright LED lighting, and the signature includes illuminated lettering, a lovely spectacle to witness in the evenings and on the highway. Plastic body cladding runs around the T2's body, including the side runners and the prominent front bumper. The side profile features pumped-up shoulders and arches, and then you'll notice something peculiar. Massive 20-inch metallic grey 6-spoke wheels are nestled within the arches and are outfitted with road-biased comfort tyres. The rear end gives away what inspired the T2's styling, with its lighting clusters, gloss-black trim pieces, and faux tailgate hinges. While I am aware that Chery Group has entered into joint ventures with Jaguar Land Rover, a bit more creative license could've been used on the side profile and rear end, but hey, it's not a bad-looking SUV as a whole.
Space and Comfort
The T2's cabin is one of the T2's best qualities. This is a well-finished cabin, with a lovely blend of materials that gives it a stately appearance and feel. Plush synthetic leather for the seating and various trim pieces. Brushed finish plastic trim on the centre console, faux bolts for the door cards pieces and even ambient lighting to round everything off. The jewelled gear selector with an illuminated Jetour logo lends an air of opulence. Still, for what this vehicle is after, it honestly wasn't necessary, and the gloss-black steering wheel controls end up being fingerprint magnets. There is ample space for you and your passengers to get comfortable, but that falters a bit in the boot area, which has a capacity of 580 litres. Still, its narrow form factor only lets me shove in one big suitcase, a carry-on case, and just enough leftover space to squeeze in a laptop bag.
On the technology front, we have a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone connectivity and a Sony sound system with a nice amount of punch. The infotainment setup is decent and functions as it should. My only minor complaint is that I'd like the bottom screen partition to stay on when you're using something like Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, so you can quickly access the home menu or climate controls. Speaking of, I welcome the physical climate control buttons. The switchgear as a whole has a high-quality feel, which ties into how the T2's cabin feels premium and expensive. It's a well-appointed cabin that's solidly put together.
Performance
Powering up the T2 is their i-DM hybrid system. This consists of a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired with an 18.4 kWh battery and two electric motors. Total power outputs are 265 kW / 610 Nm. When we break it down, though, you get 100 kW from the engine, 165 kW of electric boost, and 220 Nm from the engine, plus 390 Nm of electric boost. Power is sent to the front wheels via a DHT transmission.
The Drive
I have to commend Jetour for the T2's ride quality. It is indeed supple and has the machinations of a premium vehicle with its unibody design, front MacPherson strut suspension and rear multilink suspension. The primary ride is tauter than you'd expect but not jarring. I have used the T2 predominantly on road, including on highways, and it's best suited there, thanks to its road-biased tyres.
The hybrid system, however, needs some tweaking. When the petrol engine roars into life when needed, it is quite noticeable, with a tugging sensation while you're in motion. You'll notice this on the highway and at wide-open throttle, where it almost unsettles the car. This could be smoother, from my experience with other hybrids. The power figures also only show combined potential; in reality, this is not a tyre shredder, and it doesn't need to be.
You could take the T2 on a light gravel road, but I wouldn't do serious overlanding with it, despite what its looks may suggest. Also, remember that this hybrid version is front-wheel drive and has just 190mm of ground clearance, versus 200mm in the standard T2 and 220mm in the XWD models.
Much has been made in the media recently about the hybrid T2’s 300kg payload capacity. While that figure is admittedly underwhelming, it is a limitation largely inherent to its unibody architecture and heavy hybrid system. Furthermore, its direct hybrid competitors fare only marginally better. In reality, the average South African buyer rarely pushes these limits, making the payload controversy a bit of a storm in a teacup. It is a detail worth noting for heavy packers, but for most urban buyers, it will hardly be a dealbreaker.
Fuel Consumption
Claimed fuel consumption is 1.3 L/100 km with a full hybrid battery. Our combined consumption was 6.7 L/100 km, with the battery at 70% charge. Primarily, the vehicle was used in urban areas and some short highway stints.
Safety
ASEAN NCAP Rating
★★★★★
Notable Safety Features:
- 6 airbags
- ISOFIX
- TPMS
- ADAS
- 540° Panoramic View Camera
- Front and Rear PDC
Price
| Model | Price |
| Jetour T2 1.5T Aspire | from R569 900 |
| Jetour T2 2.0T Xplora XWD | from R639 900 |
| Jetour T2 2.0T Odyssey XWD | from R679 900 |
| Jetour T2 2.0T Odyssey Dark Knight XWD | from R704 900 |
| Jetour T2 1.5T i-DM PHEV | from R779 900 |
The T2 purchase price includes a 7-Year / 75 000km service plan with a 15 000km service interval, a 10-Year / 1 000 000km engine warranty (for the first owner), a 7-Year / 200 000km vehicle warranty, and an 8 Year / 160 000km battery warranty.
*Pricing correct at time of publishing and is subject to change without prior notice.
Rivals
- Toyota Land Cruiser FJ
- Kia Sportage
- Haval H7
- GWM Tank 300
Verdict
The Jetour T2 perfectly taps into the growing appetite for rugged, go-anywhere aesthetics blended with road-biased luxury—all at an accessible price point. It thrives as a lifestyle vehicle for those who love the great outdoors but spend most of their time conquering the urban jungle. If you are looking for a utilitarian, no-fluff off-roader to tackle the harshest terrain, look elsewhere. But if you want a distinct, well-appointed SUV that excels on daily commutes and open-road weekend getaways, the T2 is a highly compelling choice. You need to know exactly what you are buying into.
