Chinese car sales are steadily rising in SA, with their specifications and approachable pricing drawing customers in droves.
Jetour is a Chery subsidiary that operates independently in SA, and the X70 Plus Deluxe model on test is the flagship model that costs R484,900. For R30,000 less the company will sell you the Momentum specification with fewer amenities, but this is one of the cheapest ways to carry seven passengers.
Looks wise, the slate grey paint complements the sleek silhouette with assertive front styling made by a bold and cascading grille, LED lights, red and chrome styling elements and a quartet of closed exhaust ports at the rear. It's a pleasing interplay of looks and features that entices a look inside.
You enter through doors with keyless entry. The interior look and feel is on par with Chery or Jaecoo cabins and the features are plentiful. Heated, ventilated and electric seats covered in a leatherette material? Yes please, plus USB ports and a charging pad, digital main display screen and driver’s information binnacle, flush climate control buttons, and a multifunction steering wheel and more.
Practicality is assured through three rows of seats. The second row is generously spacious but the third row has shallow footwells that are better suited for small children. Like with most seven-seat SUVs the X70 Plus leaves a small 94l boot capacity when all the seats are propped up. Fold down the third row to release 438l, or flatten the entire rear seat system to unlock 1,680l.
The Jetour X70 Plus, which has a 750kg towing capacity and an optional pair of tow-bars to choose from — a permanent gooseneck or a removable unit — is powered by 1.5l petrol four-cylinder engine. It produces 115kW and 230Nm and mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and driving the front wheels. The outputs felt decent for hauling families and a trailer.
There are no AWD models on offer, but the motor has Eco and Sport driving modes. It's largely refined but suffers from the same frenetic take-off acceleration and peaky reversing pace we’ve become accustomed to in many Chinese cars. The power delivery becomes linear as you climb up the speed ranges, though, but add wet surfaces to the equation and the front wheels tend to spin easily and the traction control works overtime.
It’s business as usual in the dry, with a bit of bounce on imperfect roads and when cornering enthusiastically, though it’s not a racer but a family wagon.
Fuel usage is another concern. The company claims 7.8l/100km but during the weeklong test period conducted in urban settings, the average consumption was 10.1l/100km, which empties the 57l fuel tank rapidly. Perhaps on longer highway journeys the fuel consumption will reduce.
That aside, the Jetour is a temptingly juicy carrot for anyone looking for a sexy-looking family taxi with safety, convenience and trendy items such as digital screens with playful graphics, cameras and puddle lights that splash the brand name on the ground. The basics of functionality are covered, including 200mm of ground clearance for driving on gravel.
Few alternatives can challenge the Jetour X70 Plus Deluxe as a value proposition. It just needs a more frugal engine to win my vote.
Tech specs
ENGINE
Type: Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
Capacity: 1.5l
Power: 115kW
Torque: 230Nm
TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed dual-clutch auto
DRIVETRAIN
Type: Front-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
Top speed: 180km/h
0-100km/h: N/A
Fuel Consumption: 7.8l/100km (claimed); 10.1l/100km (as tested)
Emissions: 179g/km
STANDARD FEATURES
LED daytime running lights, welcome light projection, rear-view mirror heating, dual 10.25-inch instrument cluster and infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice command, 50W wireless charging, Bluetooth, four USB ports, 12V power supply, synthetic leather seats, panoramic glass sunroof, electric driver’s seat, rain sensors, ambient light, driving modes, remote engine start, six airbags, tyre pressure monitor, electronic stability control, ABS, parking camera with 360° panoramic view.
COST OF OWNERSHIP
Warranty: 10-years/1-million kilometre engine, five-years/150,000km vehicle
Service plan: Five-years/60,000km
Price: R484,900
Lease*: R10,638
* at 11% interest over 60 months no deposit
Jetour X70 Plus 1.5T Deluxe
We like: Looks, practicality, specification, price
We dislike: Fuel consumption, throttle calibration
Verdict: A value-for- money seven seater
Motor News Star rating
***** Design
*** Performance
** Economy
*** Ride
**** Handling
***** Safety
***** Value For Money
**** Overall
COMPETITION
• Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z4, 129kW/400Nm — R489,999
• Haval H6 2.0GDIT Premium, 150kW/320Nm — R492,050
• Mahindra XUV700 2.0T AX5, 149kW/380Nm — R495,199
• Chery Tiggo 8 Pro 1.6TGDI 290T Executive +, 145kW/290Nm — R499,900
• MG HS 1.5T Comfort, 125kW/275Nm — R499,900
• Proton X70 1.5T Standard, 130kW/255Nm — R529,900
• Proton X90 1.5T Standard, 140kW/255Nm — R499,900
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