Jetour X70 Plus Review: The Family SUV That Got Better For Less

Having had the pleasure of driving the Dashing as my first ever test car, I had high hopes for the X70 Plus. Unfortunately, this time it wasn't going to be a surprise because I had already attended the launch of the facelifted X70 Plus and Dashing, so I knew what to expect from this car in terms of the drive.

Still, this particular X70 Plus was brand new, with less than 1,000km on the clock, and finished in a shiny onyx black with silver and chrome accents. It genuinely felt like I was driving my very own new baby.

The X70 Plus I'd seen before always had those red stripes that signified sportiness, but this one felt different. It was more about class and elegance, with Jetour now keeping the red accents exclusively for the Dashing. Inside, the look was familiar from the Dashing, but the feel was something else entirely.

Exterior: The Elegant One 

As mentioned, I had a test unit finished in onyx black with chrome and silver accents, and I think this colour combination captures the facelifted X70 Plus best. The whole design feels like Jetour has moved away from trying to make the X70 Plus look sporty and instead given it a much more mature, classy presence.

The facelift brings new alloy wheels with fewer spokes, which I think works perfectly with that change in character. You also get a new grille and quad exhaust finishers, and these actually serve a purpose, albeit with the outer two doing the work. The rear also looks a little narrower and sleeker than before, but my favourite part has to be the tail lights. That swooping light bar running across the entire rear immediately reminded me of the Audi Q8, and it gives the X70 Plus a much more premium presence than you'd expect from a seven-seater in this price bracket.

The side profile is equally sleek, to the point where I've had people surprised when I tell them this is a seven-seater. That's exactly why I think Jetour made the right decision in positioning the X70 Plus as the elegant one rather than the sporty one. The Dashing has always looked like the sportier car, so giving the X70 Plus this more sophisticated identity helps separate the two.

I really love the new wheels too, and even the smaller details have been given attention. The puddle light now has a different design, another little touch that shows Jetour wasn't simply changing a grille and calling this a facelift.

Overall, I really like this car. The X70 Plus has always been a big family SUV, but this facelift makes it look like one you'd happily pull up to a nice restaurant in too.

Interior: Comfort For The Whole Family 

Jetour is a brand you really cannot fault when it comes to interior quality. My goodness. And the facelifted X70 Plus takes things a step further.

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You get more plush, perforated seats that immediately make the cabin feel more premium, while the orangey-red detailing around the seats is reminiscent of what we've seen in the T-Series. I also really like the grey detailing on the centre console and door inserts. It ties in nicely with the silver accents on the exterior and gives the cabin a more cohesive look. Even the smaller details haven't been forgotten. The footwell gets its own Jetour lighting, which is a nice touch when you climb into the car at night.

The dashboard and multifunction steering wheel do remind me of an A-Class, but I have absolutely no problem with that. It works nicely in this cabin and gives the X70 Plus a more sophisticated feel without trying too hard to be something it isn't. The panoramic sunroof is another highlight. It really brings the interior to life, especially during the day, making an already spacious cabin feel even more open and airy. 

Then there's the space, which is probably one of the biggest reasons you'd consider this car in the first place. The rear is enormous, with particularly generous legroom that means pretty much anyone can fit comfortably. The two seats at the very back that turn this into a seven-seater are, as with most seven-seaters, better suited to children, but the fact that you have all that space in the first two rows makes a big difference.

Tech & Features: Loaded Without The Overload 

The dual 10 inch screens are starting to feel a little outdated when it comes to the software and graphics. I do, however, prefer their size compared with the huge 15.6-inch screen you get in the T-Series. Sometimes bigger isn't necessarily better, and these screens feel more naturally integrated into the X70 Plus's cabin.

The infotainment system itself is easy to use, with relatively few menus, so you don't find yourself getting lost trying to find a particular setting. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also come standard, making it easy to get your phone connected and get on with your journey.

You also get a 50W wireless charging pad, and Jetour has even added a vent to it so your phone doesn't overheat while charging. That's the kind of small detail that makes a difference when you're using the car every day.

The eight-speaker Sony sound system sounds good too. It isn't as polished as the system in the T-Series, but it's still more than good enough for everyday listening. I also like how the speakers are integrated into the door inserts because they look cool rather than simply being hidden away.

Then there's the 540-degree camera, which is much appreciated on a car of this size. Being able to get such a comprehensive view around the vehicle makes parking and manoeuvring a lot easier, particularly when you have a seven-seater to worry about.

The Level 2 ADAS is another area where Jetour has got things right. These systems can be incredibly annoying when they're poorly calibrated, but I genuinely can't remember the X70 Plus doing anything to annoy me. Nothing at all. The systems are there when you need them without constantly reminding you that they're there.

What I really appreciate, though, are the heated and ventilated seats. We experienced some very windy and cold temperatures while I had the car, so having the ability to warm myself up in the morning was particularly welcome. Overall, the X70 Plus is loaded with technology, but more importantly, most of it is technology you'll actually use.

Performance & Drive: The Facelift You Can Feel 

When it comes to Chinese cars, this is where things can sometimes take a turn for me. Below-par fuel consumption and throttle response that doesn't always seem to abide by what your foot is telling it can quickly take away from an otherwise good car. Thankfully, Jetour didn't just give us a cosmetic facelift with the X70 Plus.

You now get more power and torque from the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, with 125kW and 270Nm, and that extra output is sufficient for this car. Put it into Sport mode and things get even better because the throttle response has very little lag. It feels noticeably more eager, and for a seven-seater family SUV, it can actually be quite peppy.

The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox also deserves some credit. Its changes are really smooth, and there's very little drama when it shifts through the gears. I can see why Jetour added functional exhausts to the car because once you're up and going, you actually get a little bit of character from the powertrain.

The ride quality is great and the handling is quite good too. Take the X70 Plus around the mountains and, trust me, you'll enjoy both its handling and its power. It isn't a sports SUV by any stretch, but there's enough confidence and responsiveness to make a winding road far more enjoyable than you'd expect.

Fuel consumption was another pleasant surprise. I averaged around 8L/100km during my time with the car, which I think is decent for a vehicle of this size and with this level of performance.

The X70 Plus has truly become a family cruiser. But now, unlike before, there's a little bit of fun hiding underneath all that practicality. It's quite peppy, which is something I never thought I'd say about a Jetour.

Price & Verdict

I had the R494,900 Prestige, the top model, and honestly, I think this is the one to go for. The fact that Jetour has facelifted the X70 Plus and actually lowered the price is a big statement on value, especially because this was already a good buy before the update.

The refreshed X70 Plus now gives Jetour a much stronger argument against rivals such as the Haval H6 and Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. I do think the H6 Hybrid is the better option if we're comparing those powertrains, but in an ICE-for-ICE comparison, the Jetour is a very good car.

This is the perfect car for the soccer mum or the family of five. It gives you the space, practicality and seven-seat capability you need, but it also looks better than most of its rivals in my opinion. And now that it actually drives well, why wouldn't you look at it?

Jetour is a brand I've always respected. When I first experienced the T-Series, I thought there was no real reason to look at the Dashing or X70 Plus when the T1 and T2 existed. But after spending a week with this facelifted X70 Plus, I've changed my mind.

To me, this is a better car and a better buy than the T1, and I absolutely loved the T1. The facelift has turned the X70 Plus from a good family SUV into a genuinely compelling one. It looks more sophisticated, the cabin is still one of the best parts of the car, the technology is impressive and, most importantly, it now drives as well as it looks.

Final Scorecard: 8.6/10

Category	Rating out of 10	Notes
Design	9	A sophisticated and commanding seven-seater with a beautifully executed rear light bar, new wheels and premium detailing. Put it in black and it's a 10.
Performance	8	The 125kW and 270Nm 1.5-litre turbo provide plenty of punch, particularly in Sport mode, with a smooth seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Tech & Features	8	Strong technology package with dual 10.25-inch displays, wireless smartphone connectivity, a 50W cooled wireless charger, Sony audio, 540° camera and well-calibrated Level 2 ADAS.
Driveability	9	Comfortable, composed and surprisingly fun for a seven-seater, with good handling and around 8L/100km in real-world driving.
Price	9	The facelift brings more sophistication and capability at a lower price than the original, making the X70 Plus an exceptionally strong family SUV proposition.