Jetour T1, T2 spied in Australia as Chery brand nears local launch

The Jetour T1 and T2 mid-size SUVs have been spied testing in Australia, and are expected to be the first models offered by the Chery Group brand when it launches here during 2027.

These images sent by a CarExpert reader show the T1 and T2 parked at Bondi Beach, covered in camouflage.

A search of the T1’s plate reveals it’s a T1L with an 1840kg tare weight, while the T2’s registration record lists it as a 'Chery S2x Series' with a 1500kg tare weight.

But while Jetour is part of the Chery Group, it’s being treated as a completely different entity in Australia.

It’ll be distributed separately and will have different back-office operations to other group brands, including Chery and Omoda Jaecoo plus the upcoming Lepas, iCaur and Freelander brands.

The Jetour brand will offer the large body-on-frame F700 dual-cab ute and G700 off-road SUV, which are not expected to be launched until the second half of 2027 at the earliest. However, before they arrive, Jetour is expected to introduce the T1 and T2.

These have much more in common with the range of models offered across Chery’s existing brands here, being mid-size crossover SUVs with car-like unibody construction and available plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power.

The T1 and T2 are already on sale in another right-hand drive market, South Africa.

They share a platform and powertrains and are almost identical in size, though the T1 has softer, more rounded styling while the T2 is more boxy and upright. Their relationship, therefore, is rather like that of the first Jeep Compass and its Patriot sibling.

The T1 and T2 are comfortably mid-sized, however, with the T1 measuring 4705mm long, 1967mm wide and 1840mm tall on a 2800mm wheelbase, and the T2 measuring 4785mm long, 2006mm wide and 1870-1880mm tall on a 2800mm wheelbase.

For context, the top-selling Toyota RAV4 measures 4600-4645mm long on a 2690mm wheelbase.

In South Africa, the T1 and T2 are offered with a 125kW/270Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with front-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), alongside a 180kW/375Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed DCT.

There’s also the T1 i-DM, which features a 1.5-litre turbo four mated with an electric motor, a dedicated hybrid transmission, and an 18.4kWh battery. Total system outputs are 250kW and 530Nm, with 100km of electric range under the NEDC cycle and total combined range of 1200km.

The T2 i-DM has slightly less electric range at 90km but more power and torque at 265kW and 610Nm. It features an identically sized battery to its less boxy T1 i-DM sibling.

Ground clearance is between 190mm and 200mm in the T1, with petrol-powered T2s offering 220mm of ground clearance, but the i-DM PHEV having only 190mm.

All T1 and T2 variants have MacPherson strut front and multi-link independent rear suspension, with all-wheel drive variants featuring a rear electronic limited-slip differential and eight selectable drive modes including Rock, Snow, Mud and Sand modes.

Most T2s feature an externally mounted full-size spare wheel.

Every member of the T1 and T2 range in South Africa comes with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, with infotainment touchscreens measuring 12.8 or 15.6 inches and featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Available equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and colour-adjustable ambient lighting.

The Jetour T1 and T2 will enter one of the most competitive segments in Australia, where they'll face off against various Chery Group models, too, including the Chery Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8, and Jaecoo J7.

MORE: Jetour T1, T2 launching in Australia in early 2027, burly G700 off-roader and F700 ute to follow