Winning the South African Car of the Year Competition is an enormous achievement especially as the first Chinese manufacturer to achieve this historical victory which has been dominated by legacy brands for 40 years.
SA COTY was established in 1986 to celebrate excellence. It has kept up with new statistical challenges and on 31 August 2018, 63 NAAMSA CEO’s or their representatives agreed to adopt a new statistically more accurate scoring model for The South African Car of the Year Competition. Scoring systems were analysed from 2015 and took three years to develop an independently validated statistical model that passed the statistical validation test of the University of Pretoria. Collaborating with Heinrich Coetzee at Lightstone Auto I created a 30% AI component which evaluated a massive amount of data of every car independently of the SA COTY jury. Statistical validity thus increased, by reducing the juror component to 70% versus 30% AI. This formula raised the integrity and standing of SA COTY which benefits the Jetour T2 as the 2026 winner. I believe this helps the T2 to gain market share in its class where more competitive choices create promising opportunity. Car buyers are becoming more aware of parts backup in a country where the average age of a car on the road is 10.1 years. A long-term view of back up is crucial to maintain momentum in new sales and maintaining market share growth. Relatively new automotive brands always face questions about dealer support and parts availability. Jetour has expanded its dealer network and maintains a substantial parts inventory at its Midrand headquarters. Positive industry recognition for parts supply performance to accredited repairers, helps to reassure prospective buyers. Time will tell the answer to longevity and future resale value soon. Technologically there are minor quirks like connecting Bluetooth or sometimes being misunderstood when requesting voice assistance. Maybe it is just my South African accent… Getting behind the steering wheel of the T2 demonstrates the ease to manoeuvre, almost as nimbly and quick to park as a compact hatch. Driving two compact hatchbacks daily makes this a relevant parking comparison realistic. Blind spots are mostly neutralised with its eagle’s eye camera view. Quick Acceleration and overtaking acceleration in such a bulky SUV are unexpected. Being the proud Chinese flagbearer in the first place of SA COTY 2026 is remarkable bearing in mind being challenged by excellent competitors. Modern Chinese manufacturers are now competing on design, technology, engineering and overall value.
Hakan Saracoglu worked as a designer at Porsche for many years on cars like the Boxster and Cayman before he moved to Jetour about 12 years ago as a car designer and recently designed the Jetour T2 with its resemblance to the Land Rover Defender designed by Jerry Mc Guire.
The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which generally shifts smoothly and quickly. Dual-clutch gearboxes can sometimes feel hesitant during very low-speed manoeuvres, but the T2’s calibration suits daily driving requiring the generous torque. During long-distance touring, wind and road noise remain well controlled, allowing occupants to enjoy the excellent Sony sound system or simply appreciate the quiet cruising experience.
Unlike many lifestyle SUVs that rely primarily on electronic driving modes to create an impression of off-road ability, the T2’s powertrain has been developed with genuine adventure touring in mind. The intelligent XWD all-wheel-drive system constantly monitors available grip and automatically distributes torque to the wheels with the greatest traction, providing reassuring stability on gravel roads, muddy tracks and loose surfaces. Adventure lovers travel in comfort while 220mm ground clearance and 700mm wading depth inspire confidence.
At 4 785mm long, 2 006mm wide and 1 880mm high, the T2 is big with a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, panoramic sunroof and LED lighting. Adventure lovers travel in comfort while 220mm ground clearance and 700 wading depth inspires confidence. Soft-touch materials, well-finished trim and a clean dashboard create a premium interior like more expensive rivals. A large 15-inch infotainment touchscreen is next to a digital instrument cluster and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard.
A commanding driving position, generous headroom for all occupants, extremely comfortable seats and superb equipment levels make the T2 highly desirable in the medium SUV segment at R679 900.
South African models are backed by a 7-year/200 000 kilometre vehicle warranty, a 7-year/75 000 kilometre service plan, and a remarkable 10-year/1 million kilometre powertrain warranty for the first owner.
