Jetour T2 Crowned 2026 South African Car of the Year

The Digicars Group is proud to celebrate a historic milestone for one of our brands: the Jetour T2 has been named the 2026 South African Car of the Year, becoming the first Chinese vehicle to claim the prestigious title in the competition’s 40-year history.

Announced by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ), the T2’s win caps off an exceptional debut year on local soil. Launched into South Africa in October 2024, the rugged SUV has already exceeded 4 000 sales locally, with Jetour ranked eighth overall among South Africa’s top-selling automotive brands last month.

The path to the title was anything but easy. From an initial pool of 55 qualifying vehicles, the field was narrowed to 30 semi-finalists before 18 finalists were announced in January. Those finalists were then put through a rigorous three-day evaluation programme at Zwartkops Raceway and surrounding routes by a 25-member jury panel, supported by three trainee and associate jurors. Judges assessed each vehicle on innovation and technology, safety, performance, overall quality, value for money, customer relevance, sales success, practicality and suitability for South African conditions.

Adding to the celebration, the T2 also took home the win in the Mild Adventure category at the same awards.

Available in three derivatives, the Jetour T2 lineup combines rugged SUV styling with a well-equipped, tech-focused interior across the range. The lineup opens with the Aspire at R569 900, followed by the Xplora at R639 900, and is topped by the flagship Odyssey at R679 900.

Performance steps up through the range. The Aspire is powered by a 2WD setup paired with a 7-speed DCT producing 125 kW, while the Xplora and Odyssey both step up to 4WD with 180 kW and a top speed of 180 km/h, giving customers a clear choice between everyday efficiency and serious capability.

Standard features across the range include LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats and a 15.6-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety is a key focus across the lineup, with every T2 fitted with six airbags and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rollover mitigation, tyre pressure monitoring, hill descent control and a 540-degree surround view camera system.

Every Jetour T2 is backed by 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. An ownership package designed to deliver long-term confidence behind the wheel.

This win is more than a trophy on the shelf. It is a strong endorsement from one of the most respected motoring juries in the country. The T2 is a genuinely competitive, well-rounded SUV that brings serious value, technology and capability to South African buyers.

If you have been considering a new SUV, there has never been a better time to experience the Jetour T2 for yourself.