2026 Jetour T2
The Jetour T2 has been named the 2026 South African Car of the Year, making history as the first Chinese automotive brand to win the prestigious SAGMJ Car of the Year title in the competition’s four-decade run. Sponsored by Old Mutual Insure and announced by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists, the rugged SUV beat 55 qualifying vehicles after rigorous testing at Zwartkops Raceway.
For buyers searching for the best SUV 2026 South Africa has to offer, best value car South Africa lists, or affordable SUV South Africa options under R700 000, the Jetour T2 has emerged as a standout. With T2 sales exceeding 4 000 units since its October 2025 launch, Jetour now ranks among the best-selling automotive brands, challenging Toyota, Ford, and Volkswagen on technology, pricing, and performance.
A 25-member jury evaluated finalists on innovation, safety, performance, quality, value for money, and suitability for South African driving conditions. The T2 also won the Mild Adventure category.
Available in three derivatives – the Aspire (R569 900), Xplora (R639 900), and flagship Odyssey (R679 900) – the Jetour T2 is a compelling SUV for sale South Africa wide. It combines bold off-road SUV South Africa styling with a tech-focused cabin. Standard features include a 15.6-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and a 540-degree camera system. Safety specs cover six airbags, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and hill-descent control.
The range was also recently expanded with the addition of the Odyssey Dark Knight (R704 900) and the PHEV (R779 900).
Performance ranges from a 2WD 125 kW 7-speed DCT in the Aspire to 4WD 180 kW all wheel drive SUV variants in the Xplora and Odyssey. All models carry a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, a 7-year/75 000 km service plan, and a 10-year/1 000 000 km engine warranty for the first owner – among the best car warranty South Africa offers. Nic Campbell, Vice President of Jetour South Africa, says:
“The Jetour T2 was always designed to be a disruptive product. This win is a defining moment not only for Jetour, but for the South African automotive industry as a whole. To be named South African Car of the Year in such a competitive field, and to be the first Chinese brand to achieve this in the competition’s four-decade history, speaks volumes about how far the brand has come in a very short space of time, the quality product we are offering and how seriously we are being taken.”
With over 55 dealers nationwide, strong parts availability, and the new electrified T-Series i-DM range already on sale, Jetour is positioning itself for sustained growth. For buyers comparing new car prices South Africa wide, hunting for family car South Africa options, researching car finance South Africa deals, or tracking car specials South Africa, the T2’s combination of warranty cover, 4×4 capability, and premium cabin tech makes it one of the most compelling Chinese cars South Africa has seen.
