Jetour X70 plus

The Chinese company Chery is on a roll, especially in emerging markets like South Africa. However, I'm not sure how "emerging" we are, considering the economic knocks we take every time Trump opens his mouth. I digress. Chery has numerous subsidiaries, all of which offer immense value for money for South Africans. I can totally see spending R400,000 on a fully specced Jolion, with all the bells and whistles, rather than a run-of-the-mill Toyota Corolla.

A brand is nothing without its aftersales support, and Chery has improved significantly in this area. They've been popping up dealerships all over South Africa and offering an unprecedented 1 million km warranty on the engine and drivetrain for the first owner. Using this strategy, Chery catapulted itself into the bestseller list in SA with the baby Tiggo 4, starting from R280,000. It's a true bargain, considering the amount of spec you get for the price.

Chery has also introduced luxury brands like Jetour, Jaecoo, and Omoda into the market. Similarly, Toyota has Lexus, and Nissan has Infiniti. One thing you notice when getting into these vehicles is that the fit and finish are superb, and the build quality has improved significantly compared to the first-generation Tiggo.

However, it's clear that Chery still relies on copying designs from other manufacturers. I found this out while testing the new Jetour X70 Plus. Powered by Chery's 1.5 turbo-petrol motor, which develops 115kW and 230Nm, it's abit of a slouch, especially when fully laden and going long distances. The 6-speed dual-clutch transmission does a great job of keeping things on the boil but you simply cant get away from the fact that engine is too tiny and runs out of puff quite quickly.

According to the manufacturer, the Jetour X70 Plus has a claimed fuel consumption figure of 7.8l/100km. However, in the real world, you'd struggle to get under 11l/100km. The 1.5 engine labors too much to lug the weight around. Chery, how about a turbo-diesel engine? I'm sure you can "reverse-engineer" one from BMW. 

Copyright and trademark infringement don't translate well into Mandarin inside the Jetour, you'll find an expansion tank similar to the one fitted to most VWs, a start button straight out of a C-Class Mercedes, and an interior design strikingly similar to the previous-generation S-Class, right down to the speaker grilles and window switches.

Where the Jetour shines is in its value for money. For this luxury-spec SUV, you'd expect it to cost close to R900,000, as it's set to trade punches with the Audi Q3, VW Tiguan, and Land Rover Discovery Sport. All of these vehicles are well over the R900,000 bracket. This Chery, although not as refined as the competition, offers similar spec for a measly R485,000. Yes, for less than half a million, you can ride in opulent luxury in the deluxe-spec Jetour.

So, what are the trade-offs? For starters, the horrendous fuel consumption, which is why you'll find many flooding the second-hand market. I'd say refinement is another issue, as the 1.5 engine has to work hard all the time, as it simply doesn't have the torque to pull the body.

Although, looking at it from a financial perspective, spending half a million on a Jetour and factoring in R4,000 in fuel costs per month, you'd still be better off than those who purchased from the German rivals after four years of ownership.

In closing, the Jetour is a beautiful machine, and if you can afford its thirst, it's a brilliant mode of transport with all the bells and whistles for your family. Your choice: a good-spec sedan like the Toyota Corolla or a luxury SUV like the Jetour for under half a million? I think it's a no-brainer.