Another month, another SUV launch. Well, yes, but this one is different. The Jetour T2 doesn’t look like your typical family-friendly SUV and it isn’t an EV or hybrid either. Instead, the T2 is a boxy Land Rover Defender-style machine and the only battery it has is a 12V one.
We were the first to report that the T2 is Malaysia-bound back in late 2024, from Jetour’s Global Travel+ Conference in Fuzhou, China. The SUV then made its local debut at the Malaysia Autoshow in May 2025, before a right-hand-drive version was previewed later in the year at ACE 2025. In December, we showed you a car in the final local spec. Finally, the T2 is launched.
Jetour wants RM156,800 for the CKD locally assembled T2, which is much lower than the estimated figure. This eye-catching RRP is a nett selling price, not on-the-road without insurance. The first 3,000 registrations get a RM2,000 cash rebate, making the nett price RM154,800 for early birds. Jetour is including five times free service (labour and parts) on top of the seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and 10-year/1,000,000 km powertrain warranty.
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The Jetour T2 (also known as the Traveller) is a butch-looking off-road SUV that has a ‘retro modern’ 4×4 look popularised by the Land Rover Defender and Ford Bronco.
When we visited Jetour’s manufacturing base in Fuzhou, the young but fast-growing Chery-owned brand proudly told us that it sells an average of 15,000 T2s a month in China (this was in late 2024), which is double the volume of the GWM Tank 300, and enough to make it the domestic leader in the ‘boxy SUV’ market. The brand’s overseas distributors were queuing up for it.
Much of the T2’s appeal is down to its LR-inspired looks, but it’s not all show either. Behind that proud nose with spaced out Jetour script is a 2.0-litre turbo-four with 245 PS (180 kW) and 375 Nm of torque available from 1,750 rpm to 4,000 rpm. This 2.0T, also found in the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro but with different outputs, is hooked up to AWD and a seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
The five-seater T2 is 4,785 mm long, 2,006 mm wide and 1,870 mm tall, which for context, is 63 mm longer, 146 mm wider and 165 mm taller than the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, which is a seven-seater. Wheelbase is 2,800 mm, which is 90 mm longer than the T8P. The side-hinged tailgate (electric suction) opens to a 580L cargo space, expandable to 1,494 litres with the rear seats folded.
Note that despite the looks and 700 mm wading depth, the T2 isn’t a body-on-frame vehicle (which the GWM Tank 300 is), and the unibody SUV is available in front-wheel-drive form elsewhere. Not that this matters to the urban crowd, but we have to mention it. On that note, normal (non-air) suspension too, in case you were expecting actual Defender kit.
Anyway, there’s just a single 2.0TD XWD spec, and the kit list is comprehensive. There’s a 10.25-inch driver’s instrument display and a large 15.6-inch touchscreen in the middle of the angular dashboard. The infotainment system is connected to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12 Sony speakers and a 360-degree camera system (plus under car view).
Also on are dual power-adjustable and ventilated front seats with memory and welcome function, dual-zone auto air con, ambient lighting, faux leather upholstery, 50W wireless charger and a panoramic glass roof.
Safety wise, this five-star ASEAN NCAP-rated car has the full Level 2 ADAS pack plus six airbags. The wheels are 19-inch items matched with 255/60 Giti all-terrain (AT) tyres.
Compared to earlier preview units, the finalised local spec has some minor trim differences such as clear plastic for the illuminated grille lettering (not chrome), the deletion of lime green accents on the wheels, a black roof liner for the cabin (was light coloured) and seven drive modes in the rotary selector (up from three). The modes are Normal, Eco, Sport, Snow, Rock, Sand and X-Mode. The three colour options are Khaki White, Aviation Silver and Hero Black – no surprises as to which is the hero colour.
Again, the Jetour T2 is priced at RM156,800 before registration, insurance and the RM2k early bird rebate, which makes it a very interesting alternative to its many Chery Group cousins wearing various badges, especially if you like your SUVs big, boxy and macho. While the T2 can be seen as Tank 300 rival on paper, it’s priced closer to the Jaecoo J7 than the RM250k GWM – it’s ‘more lifestyle’ and there’s plenty of modding potential too.
So, what do you think of the Jetour T2’s looks and package?
GALLERY: Jetour T2 launch
