Jetour is positioning its boldly styled T1 SUV as a premium yet practical option for urban motorists who want everyday comfort with the ability to venture beyond city limits, as the Chinese brand continues its rapid rise in Southern Africa.
The Jetour T1 follows the strong market reception of the larger T2, which entered the region towards the end of 2024. While the T2 leans heavily towards rugged off road capability, the T1 is aimed at buyers seeking a versatile city focused SUV that can still handle weekend adventures. Both models have quickly overtaken Jetour’s earlier Dashing and X70 Plus in popularity, signalling strong appetite for the brand’s distinctive design approach.
The assessment was shared by Jaco Van Der Merwe, Head of Motoring at Citizen Motoring, following a local market drive of the Jetour T1 Odyssey XWD.
The T1 draws clear styling cues from the Jeep Renegade, with additional design elements reminiscent of the Jetour T2, Land Rover Defender and Ford Bronco. From the front and rear, the Renegade influence is unmistakable, while the side profile blends boxy proportions with modern detailing. The square upright stance, bold grille with LED headlights and JETOUR lettering give it a presence that stands out on urban roads in places such as Mbabane and Manzini.
Black moulded bumpers, lower door mouldings, pronounced wheel arch cladding and 19 inch two tone alloy wheels add to the tough look, creating the impression of something more serious than a typical soft roader.
Inside, the T1 takes a different direction. The cabin is notably plush, featuring soft touch materials, brushed aluminium accents and piano black finishes. Small rugged touches such as exposed fasteners and an aircraft inspired gear selector add character, but overall the interior feels premium rather than utilitarian. The test vehicle’s Black and Green colour scheme, with the lighter green shade giving an aqua like tone, helps create an airy feel, enhanced by the standard panoramic sunroof.
Rear passengers benefit from generous headroom and legroom, while the boot offers a sizeable 574 litres of cargo space, making it suitable for family use and longer trips.
Technology and comfort features are extensive. A 15.6 inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto dominates the dashboard, paired with a 10.15 inch digital instrument cluster and a Sony sound system. Other features include ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, a 540 degree camera system and an electric tailgate.
The T1 Odyssey XWD comes equipped with Jetour’s Intelligent four wheel drive system, offering off road modes for Rock, Snow, Mud and Sand, alongside Normal, Sport and Eco driving modes. Safety systems include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning.
Power comes from a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 180kW and 375Nm, driving all four wheels through a seven speed dual clutch transmission. While performance is strong, throttle response can feel inconsistent, particularly during gentle acceleration. Fuel consumption also proved higher than expected, with real world figures of 14.5 litres per 100km over 293km, compared to the claimed 9.0 litres per 100km.
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