On 5 August, the Jetour T1 officially made its local debut. Offered in two variants, the 1.5T 2WD is priced at RM129,800, while the range-topping 2.0T XWD goes for RM146,800.
Sitting at my desk, I spent some time pondering how to approach this piece. Conventional wisdom dictates benchmarking the T1 against same-priced rivals like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. But let's be realistic: buyers considering those Japanese stalwarts hardly overlap with the T1's target demographic. A typical CR-V buyer won't look twice at a Jetour, and a T1 buyer isn't likely shopping for a CR-V either.
So here's a fresh perspective. Jetour is a sub-brand under the Chery umbrella. Why not stack the T1 against Chery's current hot seller, the Tiggo 7 Pro? While the proceeds end up in the same corporate coffers, both C-segment SUVs carry distinctly different personalities and market positioning.
Let's break down the numbers first.
The T1 lineup comprises two variants: the 1.5T 2WD at RM129,800 and the 2.0T XWD at RM146,800. The first 2,000 buyers enjoy an early-bird RM2,000 cash rebate alongside hire purchase interest rates starting from as low as 1.68%. Crucially, its entry price undercuts its bigger sibling, the T2, by nearly RM30,000.
Meanwhile, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro carries an official retail price of RM123,800. While it undercuts the base T1 1.5T by RM6,000, Jetour counters with its headline-grabbing 10-year or 1,000,000 km engine warranty. That said, Chery's 7-year or 150,000 km vehicle warranty alongside 5 years of free service remains a compelling package for this class.
Under the bonnet, the T1 1.5T gets a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine putting out 170 PS and 270 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed wet DCT driving the front wheels. Step up to the 2.0T, and you get a potent 2.0-litre turbo engine churning out 245 PS and 375 Nm, mated to the same 7-speed wet DCT but bolstered by an XWD all-wheel drive setup.
The Tiggo 7 Pro, on the other hand, comes solely with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo mill making 197 PS and 290 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed DCT driving the front wheels.
Looking at the output figures, the Tiggo 7 Pro sits right between the T1's two powertrain options. Compare it against the T1 1.5T, and the Chery yields an extra 27 PS and 20 Nm. But jump to the T1 2.0T, and the tables turn dramatically — the Jetour gains a massive 48 PS and 85 Nm advantage over the Tiggo 7 Pro, on top of all-wheel traction.
In short: the T1 1.5T serves as your sensible daily driver, the Tiggo 7 Pro offers sweet-spot performance, and the T1 2.0T steps into warm-performer territory. You get what you pay for under the hood.
Coming from Chinese automakers, neither car slimes on kit. But as a fresh 2026 entrant, the T1 clearly holds an upper hand when it comes to cabin technology.
Level 2 ADAS driver assistance is standard across the T1 range. Infotainment duties are handled by a 12.8-inch touchscreen on the base model, while the 2.0T steps up to a massive 15.6-inch display. Both support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto alongside a 50W wireless smartphone charger. Full-LED headlights with signature T-shaped DRLs are standard fitment, with the 2.0T adding goodies like a panoramic sunroof.
As an established offering, the Tiggo 7 Pro is well-appointed for daily use. However, details like display sizing and wireless charging speeds show that the newer T1 goes heavier on spec-sheet padding, catering directly to tech-savvy younger buyers.
This highlights the core difference in design philosophy between the duo.
The T1 embraces the trending boxy SUV aesthetic. Featuring upright proportions and rugged lines, it inherits the visual DNA of the larger T2, albeit with softer edges tailored for urban living. The primary benefit of this slab-sided design is generous headroom and superb outward visibility, ensuring an airy rear cabin. The wide-opening tailgate also makes loading cargo effortless.
Conversely, the Tiggo 7 Pro adopts a traditional urban crossover silhouette. Its sleek, flowing profile leans into conventional SUV aesthetics. For buyers who prefer understated styling over a flashy road presence, the Tiggo 7 Pro hits the right note.
The Tiggo 7 Pro holds another key advantage: as Chery's bread-and-butter model in Malaysia for three years now, it boasts strong road presence, established consumer confidence, and proven track record. By contrast, as a fresh release, the T1 has yet to build up long-term reliability feedback from local owners.
Here lies the most significant implicit difference between ownership experiences.
Chery's comeback in Malaysia is now three years strong. As of June 2026, Chery boasts a 60-strong nationwide dealer network, backed by a RM2.2 billion investment in its Smart Auto Industrial Park in Lembah Beringin, Selangor. In terms of aftersales reach and service maturity, Chery ranks among the best established non-national marques in the country.
As for Jetour, the brand recorded 5,048 vehicle deliveries as of June 2026, supported by 43 showrooms nationwide with a target to reach 50 by year-end. While rapidly expanding, its footprint still trails Chery's. On the upside, Jetour leverages Chery's group-wide R&D and supply chain ecosystem, assuring mechanical parity. However, fewer service centres mean owners outside major hubs might need to travel further for scheduled maintenance.
So, back to the big question: between these two close relatives, which one deserves a spot in your driveway?
If you crave head-turning novelty and tech-laden features, the T1 takes the crown. Its rugged boxy profile guarantees visual pop, while features like the 15.6-inch central display, wireless smartphone integration, and a headline 10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty are unbeatable propositions at this price point. The T1 is tailor-made for buyers wanting to stand out from the crowd.
If peace of mind and hassle-free ownership take priority, the Tiggo 7 Pro is the sensible pick. It offers punchier performance than the entry-level T1 1.5T, a wider service network, and established brand presence. The Tiggo 7 Pro won't draw curious "what brand is that?" queries from friends, nor will it drop unexpected surprises. It simply executes the sensible family SUV brief to perfection.
The T1 is the emotional heart buy — the car you want. The Tiggo 7 Pro is the rational head buy — the car you need. Deciding between them ultimately boils down to whether you listen to your heart or your head.
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