The Jetour T2 range has taken the market by storm. To capitalise on this success, the Chinese brand expanded its lineup with a PHEV derivative. Does adding an electric motor and battery pack make this the best Jetour T2 to buy, or should prospective owners stick with the established petrol variants?
We like: T2 PHEV has smooth, immediate low-speed throttle response; significantly improved fuel efficiency over petrol-only models; eye-catching exterior styling and generous standard specification.
We don’t like: Abrupt energy regeneration transition when lifting off the accelerator; front-wheel drive layout instead of all-wheel drive; uncommunicative steering feel with dead-centre play; premium price tag compared to the 2.0-litre AWD model.
FAST FACTS
- Model: Jetour T2 1.5T i-DM PHEV
- Price: R779 900
- Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol + electric motor
- Transmission: automatic
- Power/Torque: 265 kW/610 Nm
- 0-100 kph: 8.50 seconds (tested)
- Fuel consumption: 1.3 L/100 km (claimed) / 6.0 L/100 km (tested)
- Range: 90 litres (electric)/1 200 km total (claimed)
- Luggage capacity: 580-1 494 litres
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Read more: Jetour T1 and T2 i-DM PHEV (2026) Price & Specs
Where does the Jetour T2 PHEV fit in?
The Jetour T2 PHEV represents the tech flagship of Jetour’s local family adventure vehicle line-up. Distinguishing itself from its pure combustion siblings, the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) features dual fuel flaps (one for petrol and one for charging), subtle rear badging and hybrid motifs along the body sides.
Unlike the standard all-wheel-drive T2 petrol models , the PHEV derivative directs its combined outputs exclusively to the front wheels. Due to the packaging requirements of the 18 kWh battery mounted underneath the floor, ground clearance drops slightly from over 200 mm on standard variants down to 190 mm on the hybrid.
Read more: Jetour T1 and T2: what are the key differences?
How the Jetour T2 PHEV fares in terms of…
Design & Packaging
Inside, the PHEV retains the bold, modern design layout found in the rest of the T2 stable . Dominating the dashboard is a massive infotainment screen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, alongside specific energy flow displays to monitor battery usage and regeneration.
Standard equipment remains generous, including ventilated front seats and adaptive cruise control.
Practicality is equally well addressed, with the rear cargo area easily accommodating daily luggage requirements and retaining practical details such as the tailgate-mounted bottle opener.
Performance & Efficiency
Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine coupled with an electric motor to generate a substantial 265 kW and 610 Nm of torque. On paper, these figures promise rapid performance, yet real-world testing yielded a middling 0 to 100 kph sprint time of 8.5 seconds. Considering the substantial power and torque outputs, we expected the T2 PHEV to be a lot quicker…
Where the hybrid system genuinely shines is driving refinement at low speeds. Pure petrol vehicles from emerging brands often suffer from hesitant or erratic throttle calibration. The addition of instant electric torque eliminates this lag, delivering a progressive and smooth pull-away experience.
In terms of real-world efficiency, the T2 PHEV easily beats its petrol-only counterparts. While the official claim of 1.3 L/100 km remains absolutely unrealistic in everyday driving, real-world testing over mixed routes yielded average consumption figures between 5.7 and 6.0 L/100 km.
Ride, Handling & Comfort
The T2 PHEV ‘s powertrain displays some unrefined behaviour when transitioning between power delivery and energy harvesting under deceleration. Lifting off the accelerator pedal induces a sudden drop in momentum as regenerative braking engages.
Furthermore, the steering calibration leaves room for improvement, featuring noticeable play around the centre position before front-wheel directional changes occur.
On smoother tarmac roads, the suspension delivers a comfortable ride, but sharp ruts and uneven surfaces quickly highlight a somewhat stiff setup necessary to support the additional battery weight.
Price & After-sales support
The Jetour T2 1.5T i-DM PHEV sits at the top of the T2 pricing hierarchy, coming in at a premium over its standard 2.0-litre all-wheel-drive petrol counterpart. Included in the purchase price is Jetour’s standard 7-year/200 000 km warranty and 7-year/75 000 km service plan package. The PHEV has an additional 8-year/160 000 km warranty specifically for the battery array.
| Jetour T2 1.5T Aspire | R569 900 |
| Jetour T2 2.0T Xplora XWD | R639 900 |
| Jetour T2 2.0T Odyssey XWD | R679 900 |
| Jetour T2 2.0T Odyssey XWD | R704 900 |
| Jetour T2 1.5T i-DM PHEV | R779 900 |
Read more: Will Jetour’s SA-built T2 be better – or cheaper?
Verdict
The Jetour T2 PHEV brings notable efficiency gains and smoother urban power delivery to an already popular package. However, its front-wheel-drive configuration, reduced ground clearance, and higher asking price present clear trade-offs when weighed against the rest of the local lineup.
Watch our detailed video review above to see the full performance testing and real-world evaluation.
Read more: Crossover SUVs have a weight problem and no one’s talking about it…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What powertrain does the Jetour T2 1.5T i-DM PHEV use and what are its combined outputs?
A: The PHEV pairs a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor to generate a combined system output of 265 kW and 610 Nm of torque.
Q: How does the Jetour T2 PHEV’s drivetrain and layout differ from the standard petrol models?
A: Unlike the standard all-wheel-drive T2 petrol models, the PHEV directs its power exclusively to the front wheels and features a slightly reduced ground clearance of 190 mm due to the packaging of its 18 kWh battery.
Q: What is the retail price of the Jetour T2 1.5T i-DM PHEV in South Africa?
A: The Jetour T2 1.5T i-DM PHEV is priced at R779 900 (pricing correct as of July 2026).
