JETOUR is still a new badge to many Malaysians, but the VT9 Prime does not take long to figure out.
It is a large, three-row SUV that puts space and equipment up front, then keeps a close eye on costs elsewhere.
That cost control shows up in the driver aids.
The VT9, for instance, makes do with basic cruise control, not the adaptive type, even though cheaper cars such as the Perodua Ativa offer it.
That said, Jetour sweetens the deal with five free services (labour and parts), backed by a seven-year/150,000km vehicle warranty and a separate 10-year/1,000,000km engine warranty, terms applying.
The VT9 is also a naming quirk.
In most markets, Chery’s Jetour X70 Plus is sold under that name.
Here, it is called VT9 to avoid a clash with Proton’s X70.
Familiar shape
From the side, the VT9 looks like a traditional family SUV with an upright stance and a long roofline.
The drama is concentrated at the nose.
A wide grille dominates the front view, flanked by slim headlamps and distinctive vertical LED signature lamps that pop at dusk.
Prime – and the base Comfort – trims bring dark-finish 19-inch alloys and subtle red accents along the lower bodywork, enough to stop the design from looking plain without trying to look like a sports model.
At the rear, the quad exhaust finishers add visual punch, although this is more about appearance than engineering, and it shows up once you look closely.
Modern layout
The seven-seater’s cabin makes a strong first impression.
A long twin-screen arrangement stretches across the dashboard, and the design is clean and horizontal rather than fussy.
Jetour pairs it with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired and wireless), which is what most owners want for navigation anyway.
The centre console is one of the better pieces.
The electronic shifter is compact, the rotary dial makes the system easier to use than pure touch, and the 50W wireless charging pad encourages you to just drop your phone and go.
The panoramic sunroof, only for Prime, also adds a sense of airiness, although Malaysia’s heat means the electric shade often does most of the work.
Live with the VT9 for a few days and you see the trade-offs. A few issues stand out.
The 360-degree surround-view camera is useful for a big SUV, but the display tuning lets it down.
On the test car, it looked washed out and over-bright, with too little adjustment to rescue the image.
A firmware update should be on Jetour’s to-do list.
The car uses USB-A ports front and rear, with no USB-C, which already feels behind the curve.
In addition, ambient lighting is present, but it is essentially one colour theme rather than a full set of choices.
The touchscreen generally responds, yet it occasionally needs a second or third tap to register.
There is also a reflection from the lower silver trim on the side windows in bright lighting.
It is not dangerous, but it is avoidable.
Big on space
If you buy this car, you buy it for roominess.
The second row is generous for knee room and headroom, and the backrests recline far enough that passengers can easily find a comfortable angle.
Rear air vents help, and the flat, usable bench suits families.
Row three follows the usual rules for most SUVs of this type. It suits children best.
Adults fit only for short trips because the seatbacks are upright, the floor is high, and access takes effort.
With all headrests raised, rear visibility is also compromised.
Adequate punch
Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol making 154hp and 230Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels.
In a big seven-seater, engine performance is middling, but it is not weak.
There is a brief pause before boost builds, then the mid-range pulls willingly in both Eco and Sport.
Sport adds noticeable steering weight, and the VT9 is easy to place on the road once you settle into it.
Braking feels progressive, and the car’s 19-inch Sailun tyres provide reassuring grip when you need to scrub speed quickly.
One usability miss stands out: there is no straightforward physical shortcut for drive modes. You either dive into the touchscreen or use the steering wheel controls, and both can draw attention away from the road at the wrong moment.
Running costs are mixed. Road tax is cheap at RM120 a year, thanks to the small 1.5-litre engine, but fuel use is not.
Over 474km of mixed running, the VT9 reported 12.1 litres/100km.
That is on the thirsty side for a 1.5-litre, but it is believable once you factor in city traffic, short hops and the VT9’s size.
Verdict
The RM124,350 (OTR without insurance) VT9 Prime majors on space and features, but it has a few rough edges.
It looks presentable, the cabin feels righteously roomy, and the equipment list is strong for the money.
Sort the camera display, add USB-C, cut the cabin reflections, and make drive mode selection easier, and the VT9 starts to feel less like a good deal with caveats and more like a family SUV that still needs work on the small stuff.
SPECIFICATIONS
Jetour VT9 Prime
Engine: 1,498cc, inline 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol
Maximum power: 154hp at 5,500rpm
Maximum torque: 230Nm from 1,750rpm to 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic (wet)
Features: Six airbags, front-wheel drive, two drive modes (Eco, Sport), 10.25-inch LCD smart twin screen, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, passive cruise control, rear camera with parkingguidelines, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), 50W wireless fast charging, driver’s electric six-wayseat with memory, paddle shifters, 19-inch alloy wheels, 360° surround-view parking assistance, automatic air-conditioning with rear air-cond vents, CN95 cabin air filter, four USB-A ports (front and rear), wide-angle panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, six-speaker audio system, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, powered tailgate, keyless entry/start, electronic parking brake with auto hold, blind spot detection (BSD), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), door open warning (DOW), lane change warning (LCW), rain-sensing wipers, ambient interior lighting, space saver tyre
Suspension: Front MacPherson struts; rear multilink
Kerb weight: 1,576kg
Boot capacity: 89L, 1,680L with rear seats folded
Price: RM124,350 (OTR without insurance)
