POWERING the Jetour X70 Plus is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 125kW of power and 270Nm of torque by way of a smooth seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Had a pleasure to fiddle with this facelifted SUV seven-seater, and what followed as I passed its competitors were greet and meet- and yes, I did meet a lot, without going into details.
What caught the attention were new 19-inch alloy wheels, chrome quad tailpipe finishers, roof rails, a panoramic glass sunroof and a full LED lighting package comprising automatic LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lamps and distinctive LED tail lamps.
This as revelers and colleagues took snaps at the X70 at the packed Scatterlings Music festival at HuddlePark, in Jozi, last week Saturday.
Comprising of sophisticated exterior, level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and plenty of upgraded features, it was a marvel drive.
The interior features black synthetic leather seats with distinctive red detailing, dual-zone climate control, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with heating, ventilation and memory functions, as well as a heated and ventilated front passenger seat.
Additional convenience features include a heated and cooled centre armrest storage compartment (used it for my soft drinks), an automatic anti-glare rear-view mirror, and panoramic sunroof.
A dual 10.25-inch digital display integrates the digital instrument cluster with the infotainment touchscreen, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 50W wireless charging pad.
Intelligent voice control (used that on several occasions) enabled me to operate a range of vehicle functions using simple voice commands, including multimedia, telephone, air conditioning and window controls.
The Prestige derivative features a powered tailgate, while the Prime model adds the convenience of a hands-free induction tailgate. Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors and privacy glass on the Prime derivative further add to everyday ease of use.
As for sound- loved it- an immersive eight-speaker Sony sound system enhances the driving experience, while multiple USB-A and USB-C ports ensure every passenger stays connected and powered up on every journey, had to keep attending to the car parked kilometres away for recharge since the media center did not afford such.
The X70 Plus is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 125kW of power and 270Nm of torque by way of a smooth seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The powertrain also incorporates Engine Start/Stop technology, achieving a combined fuel consumption of approximately 6.9L/100km. The vehicle also complies with Euro 6 emissions standards, according to the manufacturer.
Safety is non-negotiable on the facelifted X70 Plus- boasting both active and passive safety technologies including six airbags (front, side and curtain), ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control and Hill Descent Control.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Electronic Park Brake, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Collision Warning and Door Opening Warning are also included, as well as a 540° panoramic camera for enhanced visibility. Rear parking sensors are fitted as standard on the Prestige model, with the Prime derivative also including front parking sensors.
Another addition is the upgrades of Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – a collection of intelligent safety technologies that can simultaneously assist with steering, accelerating and braking under certain driving conditions.
This feature includes adaptive cruise control, integrated cruise assist, active emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert and intelligent high/low beam assist. Once only available for certain luxury vehicles, ADAS has become one of the automotive industry’s most sought-after safety innovations.
On the dimensions, it stands at 2 720mm wheelbase which provides plenty of space for passengers across all three rows- my colleagues enjoyed the legroom considering their heights, and the luggage capacity expands from 89 litres with all seven seats in use to 1 680 litres when the rear seats are folded.
The large 57-litre fuel tank also means fewer stops- and guess what I did not visit any fuel garage because I was mindful of increasing petrol and had to be subtle on acceleration.
The X70 Plus I tested came in Onyx Black, but other colours includes Glacier White, Slate Grey, Forest Green and Ash Grey.
Its no wonder has sold more than 2.15 million vehicles worldwide since launching in 2018, across 100 countries, proving the Jetour SUV portfolio keeps growing and shows affinity towards the market.
Last year the brand achieved a record 622 590 global vehicle sales, thus highlighting the growing demand for its technology-driven and feature-rich SUVs.
Beyond South Africa of which it has made their presence felt, the model has been named Best Value 7-Seater SUV by Malaysia’s Carlist.my and WapCar.my, honoured as Best Locally Manufactured 7-Seater Car at the Egypt Car of the Year 2026 awards, and recognised as Angola’s best-selling model in 2023.
The 2026 X70 Plus adds more sophisticated and commanding presence and a redesigned front fascia with bold horizontal grille slat- means business.
Retailing price: R444 900 for the Prestige model; and R494 900 for the higher-spec Prime derivative.
All X70 Plus models are backed by a comprehensive after-sales package, including a five-year/150,000km vehicle warranty, a five-year/75,000km service plan and Jetour’s class-leading 10-year/1 million km engine warranty for the first owner.
Verdict
Performance 1-10 (8)
Fuel 1-10 (7)
Image SLM (The revamped Jetour X70 Plus is packed with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 125kW of power and 270Nm of torque.)
