the Bucket: Bucket Seat: Jetour X70 Plus

The Chinese automotive invasion shows no signs of slowing down and, if anything, manufacturers are becoming increasingly confident with every new product they launch. Jetour is one of the latest brands to arrive on South African shores, introducing itself with two SUVs that immediately made people take notice – the boldly styled Dashing and the practical X70 Plus. The X70 Plus happened to be my first experience behind the wheel of a Jetour and, truthfully, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. New brands often need time to find their feet, but after spending a few days with the seven-seater SUV, I came away pleasantly surprised. It doesn't try to reinvent the segment, nor does it bombard you with gimmicks. Instead, it focuses on delivering exactly what many South African families are looking for space, comfort, plenty of technology and attractive styling at a price that remains accessible. Like many newcomers from China, the value proposition is immediately obvious. But what impressed me most wasn't necessarily the long list of standard features; it was how complete the overall package felt.

DESIGN

The X70 Plus is one of those SUVs that photographs well, but looks even better in person. It has genuine road presence without appearing oversized, and there's a maturity to the design that gives it a more premium feel than its badge might suggest. The large chrome grille dominates the front end, complemented by sharp LED lighting and clean body lines that avoid being overly aggressive. It's modern without trying too hard, and that's something I really appreciated. Unlike some competitors that seem determined to add as many styling elements as possible, the Jetour feels restrained and cohesive. It looks like it was designed with confidence rather than desperation. Walking around the vehicle, its proportions work particularly well. You immediately get the impression that this is a proper family SUV, yet it still carries enough character to stop it looking like just another anonymous seven-seater. The cabin feels welcoming from the moment you climb in. Build quality is solid, the materials feel good to the touch and everything is laid out exactly where you'd expect it to be. I especially liked the centre console, which is one of the better designs I've experienced recently. It's clean, uncluttered and incredibly ergonomic, allowing you to settle into the driving position almost immediately. The only aspect that lets the interior down is the infotainment screen. In an era where manufacturers seem to be fitting increasingly larger displays, the Jetour's screen feels disappointingly small. While the graphics are perfectly acceptable, its size makes interacting with certain functions more difficult than it needs to be. Because it's a touchscreen, making adjustments while driving requires taking your eyes off the road for longer than I'd like. Jetour has attempted to solve this by fitting a rotary jog shuttle controller, which is certainly a welcome addition, but in practice it simply isn't quick enough. Navigating through menus takes longer than it should and, more often than not, I found myself reverting back to the touchscreen anyway.

PERFORMANCE

Powering the X70 Plus is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. It isn't a drivetrain that shouts about performance figures, but that's never really been the point of this vehicle. Where the X70 Plus excels is refinement. The engine delivers its power smoothly and predictably, while the gearbox deserves a special mention. Dual-clutch transmissions have come a long way over the years and this is one of the smoother calibrations I've experienced in this segment. Gear changes happen seamlessly, with none of the hesitation or awkward low-speed behaviour that can sometimes plague this type of transmission. Whether crawling through traffic or cruising on the open road, it always seemed to be in the right gear. Ride quality also deserves praise. The suspension strikes a pleasing balance between comfort and body control, soaking up road imperfections without becoming overly soft. It's a vehicle that encourages relaxed driving rather than spirited corner carving, and that's exactly how a family SUV should behave. Fuel consumption was another pleasant surprise. While I certainly wouldn't describe it as exceptionally frugal, it proved to be noticeably lighter on fuel than several other Chinese SUVs I've driven recently. That's encouraging, although there's still room for improvement. If fuel efficiency is your absolute priority, there are alternatives that perform better, but for a seven-seater of this size, it's perfectly acceptable.

COMFORT

This is where the X70 Plus really begins to make sense. Space has clearly been prioritised and it's something you'll appreciate every time you load the family in for a weekend away. The first and second rows offer generous levels of comfort, while the third row provides useful flexibility for children or those occasional extra passengers. The seats are supportive without being overly firm, visibility is good and the overall driving position feels natural. After spending extended time behind the wheel, fatigue simply wasn't an issue, which says a lot about the vehicle's ergonomics. Jetour has also done an impressive job with standard specification. There's very little that feels missing. Modern connectivity, convenience features and safety technology are all present, making the X70 Plus feel every bit as well equipped as rivals costing considerably more. It's this combination of practicality and features that gives the X70 Plus its strongest selling point. You never feel like you're driving a budget SUV. Instead, it feels like a vehicle that punches well above its price bracket.

VERDICT

The X70 Plus has done exactly what a launch product should do—it gives buyers confidence in the brand. As my first experience with Jetour, I walked away impressed. The styling is attractive, the cabin is comfortable, the drivetrain feels refined and the overall ownership proposition is difficult to ignore. Yes, the infotainment screen feels outdated in both size and usability, and fuel consumption could still be improved, but neither issue is significant enough to overshadow what is otherwise a genuinely competent family SUV. Compared with the previous-generation X70, the Plus represents a significant leap forward. It looks considerably more sophisticated, the interior feels more premium, technology has improved and, perhaps most importantly, the driving experience feels far more polished. It isn't simply a facelift it feels like Jetour has matured as a manufacturer in a relatively short space of time. From a South African perspective, that's perhaps the biggest takeaway. Buyers have become far more accepting of Chinese brands over the past few years, but they're also becoming more demanding. Value alone is no longer enough. People expect quality, refinement and a product that can comfortably compete with established names. With pricing sitting comfortably below many of its direct seven-seat rivals, the X70 Plus finds itself in a very sweet spot. You'll inevitably cross-shop it against the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, Mahindra XUV700 and even entry-level offerings from more traditional manufacturers, but Jetour has built a convincing argument of its own. The combination of styling, equipment, space and overall refinement makes it feel like excellent value without feeling cheap. If the X70 Plus is anything to go by, Jetour didn't arrive in South Africa simply to add another badge to the growing list of Chinese manufacturers. It arrived with genuine intent, and after spending time with the X70 Plus, I have every reason to believe it's a brand worth keeping an eye on.