Meet Jetour T1: A stylish and capable “Light Off-Road SUV”

After Jaecoo and Omoda, the Chinese automaker Chery is gearing up to introduce yet another sub-brand in Malaysia called Jetour, in 2025. Along with the confirmed 5-seater Dashing SUV, Jetour’s local lineup is expected to include a 7-seater SUV and two adventure-ready models, the T1 and T2.

In today’s story, we are going to shed light on the upcoming Jetour T1. It is an urban “light off-road SUV” that recently made its way to Saudi Arabia. But before that, let’s have a quick look at Jetour’s ambitious plans for Malaysia.

Jetour coming to Malaysia

• Jetour is ready to set up its shop in Malaysia with the launch of the Dashing in Q1 2025.
• It will operate independently of Chery in Malaysia and have a separate team and a separate office, unlike Jaecoo.
• Jetour will establish over 20 outlets in Malaysia, out of which 10 (4S and 3S) are slated to open in 2025. 
• Key locations include - Selangor, Penang, Ipoh, Seremban, Melaka, Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak.
• All upcoming Jetour vehicles will be locally assembled in Malaysia after a small initial first batch; however, the name of the local assembly partner has yet to be revealed.
• Jetour aims to become Malaysians’ preferred travel companion, offering vehicles that inspire adventure and embody dedication to quality and innovation.

Jetour T1: All you need to know

The introduction of the T1 marks Jetour’s entry into the urban lite-off-road SUV segment. It is a result of the brand’s global R&D capabilities and shows its achievements in technological innovation. 

Dimensions and capacities 

The Jetour T1 measures 4706 mm in length, 1967 mm in width, and 1845 mm in height, and spans a wheelbase of 2810 mm. The boot has a capacity of 574 litres, which is expandable up to 1455 litres. Adding to the storage capacity are 45 different compartments strategically placed throughout the cabin.

Design 

The SUV has a powerful and elegant design that leads to a new trend of rugged aesthetics. It combines traditional SUV elegance with boxy ruggedness, sharp angles, and flowing rhythms, lending the vehicle a distinctive look. 

This outdoor wilderness is paired with an elegant and robust interior featuring a symmetrical T-shaped layout. It boasts a spacious passenger area, ‘cloud-like’ comfort seats, skin-friendly leather, and a TOUR OS system. The SUV is packed with dual-layer soundproof glass with 79 soundproofing materials, creating a more quiet and serene cockpit for occupants. 

Engine and performance

Jetour offers the T1 in two engine options - 1.5T + 7DCT and 2.0T + 8AT, targeting the different needs of the riders. The lower-spec model provides over 40% thermal efficiency and balances power and fuel efficiency, which is good for daily city driving. The 2.0, on the other hand, offers a 20% faster combustion speed, and 30% better transient response, making driving feel both agile and powerful.

The detailed specifications are as follows -

Engine	1.5T	2.0T
Power	181 hp at 5,500 rpm	251 hp at 5,500 rpm
Torque	290 Nm from 2,000 - 3,500 rpm	390 Nm from 1,750 - 4,000 rpm
Transmission	7-speed dual clutch transmission	8-speed automatic transmission
Top speed	180 kmph	180 kmph
Drive system	2WD	XWD (Intelligent 4WD)
Drive modes	3 - Sport, Economic, Normal	7 - Sport, Economic, Normal, Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock

With the top-spec Jetour T1 also comes an intelligent four-wheel drive system, called XWD, which has been tested for over 10 million km and verified by more than 200,000 people across the world. It offers 20% quicker acceleration than traditional 4WD systems and enhances driving stability by 15%.

The SUV also comes with a limited-slip differential and rear electronic limited-slip differential, further improving traction on uneven or slippery terrain areas. Also, part of the kit is a wading radar system and an off-road cruise mode.

Features 

Depending on the variant picked, the Jetour T1 comes equipped with the following features - 

Exterior 

• Automatic LED headlights with Daytime running lights
• Tail lights with LED technology
• 18- and 19-inch aluminium wheels
• Electric tailgate
• Panoramic sunroof
• Luggage rack
• Front fog lights
• Adjustable side mirrors with electric heating and automatic folding 

Interior   

• 10.25-inch digital instrument panel 
• 15.6-inch central touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
• Leather seats with power-adjustable seats
• Dual automatic air conditioning
• In-car air purifier with PM2.5 filter 
• Wireless charging pad 
• Multiple USB and Type-C ports
• Keyless start system
• 9-speaker Sony surround-sound system
• 64-colour ambient lighting 

Safety  

• Driver and passenger seat airbags.
• Side airbags
• Front and rear head airbags
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
• Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Electronic Stability Control
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Forward Collision Warning
• Blind Spot Detection
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• 360-degree panoramic camera
• Front and rear parking radars
• Auto parking assist system

Colours 

Jetour offers the following wide range of exterior and interior colour options for the T1 SUV - 

• 6 exterior colours - Black, White, Silver, Gold, Blue, and Green
• 3 interior colour combinations - Black & Orange, Black & Green, and Black & Grey

Summing up

In a nutshell, the Jetour T1 is a versatile vehicle that meets the rising need for multi-functional SUVs. It offers urban comfort and moderate off-road capabilities, making it a compelling choice for both city driving and adventure trails. 

Also read: Jetour Dashing vs. Competitors: How will it stack up in Malaysia?