JETOUR Traveler

The JETOUR Traveler is the core SUV model under Chery Holding's JETOUR Auto brand. Positioned as a "light off-roader", its key selling points centre on its rugged "boxy" styling and the "Travel+" ecosystem, spanning both pure ICE (petrol) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. As of June 2026, the primary lineup on sale is the 2026 model year series launched in November 2025. The petrol variant offers 1.5TD and 2.0TD turbocharged engines, with limited-time promotional pricing ranging from RM124,900 to RM164,900, while the Traveler C-DM PHEV is priced between RM152,900 and RM209,900. Since debuting in September 2023, the model became an instant hit in the domestic SUV market thanks to its spot-on product positioning, though it now contends with heightened market competition and mounting generational update pressures.

Design Language

The Traveler sports a highly recognisable, rugged "boxy" profile, measuring 4,795 × 2,006 × 1,880 mm (petrol) and 4,795 × 2,006 × 1,875 mm (hybrid) in length, width, and height, respectively, with a common wheelbase of 2,800 mm. The 2026 model refines its exterior styling further with a JETOUR light-and-shadow grille, matrix LED headlights, and vertical full-width taillights, alongside a new "Deep Sea Blue" exterior colour. Wider angled side steps and black recovery tow hooks further accentuate its outdoor appeal. An approach angle of 28°, a departure angle of 30°, a minimum ground clearance of 215–220 mm, and a maximum water wading depth of 700 mm place these off-road figures at the top of the monocoque SUV segment.

Inside, the cabin features a "rugged matrix layout" combining extensive soft-touch upholstery with suede trim across the range. Physical switchgear makes a welcome return to the centre console and rearview mirror, addressing owner feedback regarding the previous model's screen-only climate controls. The seats incorporate a 10-layer comfort structure with dual-density, high-resilience foam, offering 8-point massage, ventilation, and heating functions. The front passenger seat is upgraded to a "zero-gravity queen seat", while the second row gains practical additions like fold-out tray tables.

Powertrain Performance

The petrol variant is powered by the Kunpeng powertrain suite. The 1.5TGDI engine produces 135 kW (184 PS) and 290 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT). The 2.0TGDI unit delivers 187 kW (254 PS) and 390 Nm, with peak torque sustained across a wide 1,750–4,000 rpm band, paired with either a 7DCT or an 8-speed automatic (8AT). WLTC combined fuel consumption for the petrol version ranges from 8.8 to 10.9 L/100 km on RON 92 petrol, translating to an running cost of roughly 0.85 yuan per kilometre.

The Traveler C-DM PHEV variant utilises a 5th-generation ACTECO 1.5TGDI dedicated hybrid engine paired with a 3-speed DHT gearbox in a quad-motor all-wheel-drive layout (P2.5 + P3 motors on the front axle and a P4 motor on the rear axle). It pushes out a combined system output of 340 kW and 610 Nm, propelling the 4WD variant from 0 to 100 km/h in the 5-second range. Pure electric driving range is rated at 129 km and 212 km (CLTC), delivering a total combined range of over 1,400 km on a full tank and full charge, with battery-depleted fuel consumption as low as 6.3 L/100 km. Standard across the range are 6.6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) external discharge and 3.3 kW vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging capabilities, ideally suited for outdoor camping needs.

Chassis and Handling

The entire lineup rides on MacPherson front struts and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with the chassis tuned to deliver a refined balance between on-road ride comfort and unpaved trail stability. The XWD fully automatic intelligent all-wheel-drive system incorporates 6th-generation BorgWarner hardware, enabling 2WD-to-4WD transitions in just 0.1 seconds. Fitted with an electronically controlled rear differential lock, a "7+X" all-terrain drive mode selector (covering snow, mud, sand, rock, and more), and an intelligent crawl control system, even off-roading beginners can tackle steep inclines and cross-axle articulation with ease. Torsional rigidity stands at 31,000 Nm/deg for the petrol version and rises to 32,000 Nm/deg for the hybrid, outclassing conventional body-on-frame SUVs in its category.

Cockpit and Features

On the tech front, the petrol model comes equipped with a 15.6-inch 2.5K floating infotainment touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor. The C-DM hybrid upgrades to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8255 chip with 24 GB of RAM, integrated with a four-zone iFLYTEK Spark AI voice assistant (powered by DeepSeek architecture) that allows both front and rear occupants to control climate, navigation, and multimedia via voice commands. The infotainment system comes preloaded with apps such as Tencent Video and Kugou Music, supports Apple CarPlay and Huawei HiCar connectivity, and receives FOTA over-the-air updates. Audio duties are handled by a 12-speaker or 16-speaker Sony sound system on higher variants. For added creature comforts, the flagship trim adds an 8-point massage function for the front seats, a centre console compressor refrigerator, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 64-inch panoramic sunroof, and a soft-close powered tailgate that doubles as an outdoor utility table. Standard boot space measures around 580 litres, expanding to 1,800 litres with the rear seats folded.

Safety and Intelligent Driving

Safety-wise, the Traveler employs a submarine-grade safety cage construction with ultra-high-strength steel making up over 80% of the structure, alongside hot-stamped steel at key load-bearing sections to form a rigid passenger safety cell. A 540° panoramic parking camera system with a transparent chassis display is standard across the board, with higher trims packing 6 airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and all-seat seatbelt reminders.

In terms of ADAS, mid-to-high-spec 4WD models come fitted with an L2+ intelligent driver assistance suite. The hardware sensor suite comprises 12 ultrasonic sensors, 5 exterior cameras, and millimetre-wave radars, offering full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC, 0–180 km/h), Lane Centring Assist (LCA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), and Driver Monitoring System (DMS). Flagship models (such as the Silver Dragon Wing Air) gain Automated Parking Assist (APA), Reverse Tracking Assist, and expanded road traffic sign recognition, pushing smart driving capability up to Level 2.5. Furthermore, top-spec Traveler C-DM variants can be optioned with the Huawei Qiankun ADS advanced smart driving system featuring LiDAR, supporting urban navigation pilot and highway navigation pilot functions.

Market Performance and Evaluation

During its initial launch phase, the JETOUR Traveler made an immediate splash thanks to its accessible "light off-roader + high value" proposition. Full-year sales in 2024 reached 156,625 units, peaking at a monthly high of 10,887 units in August. By October 2025—26 months post-launch—cumulative global sales had crossed the 400,000-unit milestone across 91 international markets, maintaining five-figure monthly sales for 20 straight months and temporarily clinching the global sales crown in the boxy SUV segment.

However, sales slowed considerably heading into 2025, with full-year deliveries dropping 13.8% year-on-year to 94,442 units. In the first two months of 2026, total sales mustered only 6,667 units, slumping to 1,312 units in February—with PHEV variants accounting for a mere 145 units that month. Key factors contributing to this slowdown include intensifying rivalry in the boxy SUV space (with newcomers from TANK, Fangchengbao, the BAIC BJ series, and Deepal entering the fray), a slower-than-expected transition to new energy vehicles (PHEV sales consistently remaining below 30% of the model mix), and owner feedback pointing to occasional infotainment lag and a stiff suspension setup. As the trailblazer and volume benchmark in the boxy light off-roader segment, whether the JETOUR Traveler can reignite its growth momentum through the 2026 model update and strategic market realignment will serve as a crucial test of its product lifecycle resilience.