Jetour X70 Plus 1.5T Deluxe (2026) Review

Summary

Right, here’s a Jetour X70 review South African buyers can actually use. I’ve put the 2024 Jetour X70 Plus 1.5 TGDI DCT through its paces in the real world: city slog, highway trips, and those daily family missions. We’re talking Jetour X70 ground clearance, actual fuel numbers, reliability prospects, and, crucially, Jetour X70 price in South Africa - all from a local’s point of view, not just what’s on the spec sheet.

Introduction

The Jetour X70 Plus lands at a sweet spot for South Africans looking for big-car space and kit without the German badge tax. Under R500k gets you a long list of features, and that’s a big deal in a market where every rand counts. But buying one means you’ll be an early adopter. Prestige is not part of the Jetour script, and the dealer network is still finding its feet - think Mahindra ten years ago. The facelift finally gives the X70 Plus the 137 kW engine it always needed. That’s the one I tested, not the old 115 kW version that filled up launch reviews. Unlike Omoda or Jaecoo, Jetour’s dealer footprint and after-sales setup are separate from its Chery parent, and that makes a difference when you’re standing in line for a warranty claim at a Group 1 branch.

Key takeaway: With the facelift, Jetour X70 Plus finally gets enough power to do justice to its size and spec, but you’re still betting on the brand’s long-term staying power.

Design & Exterior

From across the parking lot, the X70 Plus wants you to clock it as German. That bluff nose, the massive grille, and crisp LEDs do a solid impression. Here’s what matters: 4749 mm long, 1900 mm wide, 1720 mm tall, with a 2745 mm wheelbase. That width fools you into thinking it’s bigger than it really is. Park next to a Tiggo 7 Pro at Menlyn Mall rooftop - it looks a size up, though they share a lot under the skin.

What dates well, what dates fast

Those 19-inch alloys fill the arches just right. Quad exhaust tips? Pure theatre - the real pipe is tucked away, and once you spot the fake set-up, you can’t unsee it. The chrome around the windows is a bit OTT by European standards, but it plays well in Instagram shots. That’s not nothing when you want your new wheels to feel like an upgrade. As for Jetour X70 ground clearance, you’ll have no trouble with Joburg kerbs or the odd gravel detour out to Hartbeespoort, but Sani Pass? Forget it.

Cabin & Practicality

Step inside and you can see where your money’s gone. The 10.25-inch touchscreen is slick, and the digital cluster looks proper. Wireless Apple CarPlay actually hooks up first time - most days, anyway. Soft trim on the dash and doors is a surprise at this price, but yes, there’s some shiny hard plastic low down if you go looking.

Seats and packaging

This 184 hp spec is a five-seater, and that’s the one to have. Seven-seaters in the range get a sliding middle row and a third row that’s strictly for under-twelves. Five seats means a big, square boot - 650 litres if you pack smart - and a flat load floor. You sit high, the wheel adjusts for reach and rake, and forward visibility is a highlight thanks to slim A-pillars. I once did an hour and a half stuck outbound on the N1 past Fourways; the seat never left me wriggling or numb. That matters.

Tech that helps, tech that nags

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a charging pad.
• 360-degree camera (genuinely useful squeezing into tight parking at Greenside Doppio).
• Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist.
• Six airbags, tyre-pressure monitoring all standard.
• The speed-limit warning chime: can’t permanently mute, resets every start. Annoying.

That last one gets under your skin. Even set to max, it chirps at you coming down the N3 into Pietermaritzburg. Eventually it just fades into background noise.

On the Road

This facelifted X70 Plus is a different car to drive. The original 115 kW/230 Nm 1.5T and 6-speed DCT combo was laggy, then dumped torque all at once. The new 137 kW and 290 Nm from the same 1.5 turbo, now with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch, sorts that out. That extra 60 Nm changes the whole vibe from behind the wheel.

The engine and gearbox

Pulling away, there’s still a brief pause while the clutch grabs, but power feeds in smoothly. Overtaking trucks on the N1 up towards Bloemfontein, it now drops one gear instead of two, and the shifts are much quicker between third and fifth. The wet-clutch DCT is a smart move for South African stop-start traffic - dry DCT boxes have scared off plenty of buyers. After a week of stop-go up Constantia Nek, there wasn’t a hint of overheating or jerkiness.

Ride, steering and brakes

The ride is softer than you’ll find in the MG and Haval rivals, which helps on battered Gauteng tar. Big expansion joints can still catch the rear axle out with a thump, but overall it’s more cushioned than most at this price. Steering is feather-light for parking, but gets vague up past 120 km/h. Brake pedal feel is progressive, not grabby or wooden - reassuring in town and on the highway.

Real-world fuel use

Jetour claims 7.44 L/100 km. My actual average: 8.9 L/100 km on a 600 km Drakensberg weekend at a steady 115 km/h, loaded with two adults and bags. Add city driving and you’re in the low 10s. That’s typical for a family petrol SUV at Highveld altitude - about 20% over the official claim, but not out of line.

Data & Comparison

Here’s the thing: Jetour X70 Plus price South Africa is its main weapon. At launch, it undercut the usual suspects on spec-for-rand, and the facelift keeps that edge sharp. Jetour X70 Plus South Africa price: from R450 000 to R500 000 depending on trim, so it lines up right against the MG HS, Haval H6 base, and Mahindra XUV700 petrol models.

How it stacks up on key specs

Ownership maths

• 5-year total cost of ownership: R412 280 (fuel, servicing, tyres, insurance at current rates).
• Spec note: 137 kW is 12.2% down on the segment’s median (156 kW for petrol SUVs in this bracket), but torque is right there with the best.
• Combined fuel claim: 7.44 L/100 km, but expect high-8s in mixed use, low-10s in traffic.
• Wet 7-speed DCT - a solid pick for SA, especially with our heat and congestion.

The Jetour X70 service plan in South Africa: a story

Warranty? Big, on paper at least: 5 years/150 000 km on the car, 10 years/1 000 000 km on the engine - but only for the first owner, so that hurts resale if you trade in early. Service plans cover 5 years/60 000 km, depending on spec. For Jetour X70 reliability, the wet DCT and Chery’s 1.5T are encouraging, but there’s no long-term local data to lean on yet. Early signs are promising, but I wouldn’t bet the farm just yet.

Trend signal

SUV demand in South Africa held steady through late 2025, with search trends ticking along in the mid-70s. Crossovers see more swings, but the body style is still king. Chinese brands? Quietly eating market share, quarter by quarter.

Jetour X70 vs the wider field

The Jetour X70 stacks up against the Haval H6 by offering more space and a softer ride. The H6 counters with a better chassis and a bigger dealer footprint. MG HS? Jetour’s cabin is roomier, though the MG is more fun to drive. VW T-Cross at this price? That’s a tall Polo; the X70 Plus is a real midsize SUV, not a hatch on stilts.

People Also Ask

Is the Jetour X70 reliable in South Africa?

Too soon for a final word on Jetour X70 reliability locally, but the basics look sound: a wet-clutch 7-speed DCT, proven 1.5 turbo from the Tiggo 7 Pro, and a five-year warranty as backup. That engine warranty runs to a million kilometres, but only for the original owner - resale takes a hit there.

What is the Jetour X70 Plus price in South Africa?

Jetour X70 Plus price South Africa: between R450 000 and R500 000. Base Momentum trim starts things off, while Deluxe is the flagship. You’re looking at direct rivals from MG, Haval, and Mahindra at similar money. ADAS features and the 360-degree camera are included, which is a big value tick.

How does the Jetour X70 compare to the Haval H6?

It’s space and comfort versus polish. Jetour’s interior is bigger, the ride softer, and the front seats genuinely comfortable. Haval H6 comes back with a more sorted chassis, wider dealer reach, and better resale. Both are strong on warranty and equipment.

Do Volkswagens have a lot of problems compared to Chinese SUVs?

Old VW DSGs and some TSI engines had notorious issues. Newer VWs are better, but parts cost plenty. Chinese SUVs like the X70 use wet-clutch DCTs to sidestep the DSG horror stories. Long-term? Too early to say, but VW’s network is everywhere if you need it.

What about BMW X7 reliability issues for buyers cross-shopping luxury seven-seaters?

BMW X7 reliability? Mostly about early air suspension issues and the odd electrical gremlin. If you’re genuinely weighing up a used X7 against a new Jetour X70 Plus, the Jetour wins on warranty and running costs. BMW still has badge cachet, dynamics, and a plusher interior. But apples and pears, really.

Does the Jetour X70 have enough ground clearance for SA roads?

Jetour X70 ground clearance is right for SA. You’ll clear Pretoria speed bumps and Karoo gravel without breaking a sweat. It’s not built for proper off-roading, but for tar, potholes, and light gravel, you’re sorted.

Verdict

The facelifted X70 Plus is what the model should have been from the start. More torque finally lets the chassis do its thing, the wet DCT is the sensible pick for our traffic, and the cabin delivers on space and tech at a price that makes rivals sweat. Still, there are niggles: lifeless steering, driver-assist nags, and the resale question mark because the brand’s so new and the engine warranty doesn’t pass to the next owner.

If you want maximum SUV for under R500k and plan to keep it for the full warranty, it’s a compelling buy. If you care more about resale or sharp driving feel, maybe keep looking. And if you’re waiting for a hybrid seven-seater, hang tight - that’s the Jetour X70 Plus South Africa price move that could really disrupt things...

Rating: 7.2/10

Honest, well-specced family SUV, finally with the right drivetrain. Loses marks for resale risk and a few software quirks that, if Jetour’s smart, could be fixed with an OTA update overnight.