Jetour VT9 Prime: Space Comes First, Everything Else Follows

Jetour is still a new badge to many Malaysians. The Chery-owned brand has only recently begun establishing itself in our market, and the VT9 Prime is its opening argument. That argument is simple: space comes first. And in a large, three-row SUV, that is not a bad place to start.

The VT9 Prime prioritises roominess and equipment, then keeps a close eye on costs everywhere else. The result is a vehicle that feels generous in some areas and compromised in others. Whether those trade-offs are acceptable depends entirely on what you value in a family SUV.

The Naming Quirk

Before we dive into the details, a brief explanation of the name. In most markets, this vehicle is sold as the Jetour X70 Plus. Here, it is called the VT9 to avoid a clash with Proton's X70 . The name change is minor, but it reflects the practical realities of operating in a market where a competitor already holds trademark rights to a similar designation.

Exterior: Familiar Shape, Distinctive Nose

From the side, the VT9 looks like a traditional family SUV. The stance is upright, the roofline is long, and the proportions are conventional. There is nothing radical here, and that is probably intentional. Buyers of seven-seat SUVs tend to prioritise practicality over fashion.

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. The Prime trim and the base Comfort bring dark-finish 19-inch alloys and subtle red accents along the lower bodywork. These touches stop the design from looking plain without trying to turn the VT9 into a faux sports model.

At the rear, quad exhaust finishers add visual punch. Look closely, however, and you will realise this is more about appearance than engineering. The exhaust tips are decorative; the actual exhaust exits elsewhere. It is a minor deception, but one that is common in this segment .

Interior: Strong First Impression, Some Rough Edges

The VT9'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 this with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both 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, freeing up space. A rotary dial makes the infotainment system easier to use than a pure touch interface. And the 50W wireless charging pad encourages you to simply drop your phone and go.

The panoramic sunroof (Prime only) adds a sense of airiness, though Malaysia's heat means the electric shade often does most of the work .

Live with the VT9 for a few days, however, and the rough edges appear.

The 360-degree surround-view camera is useful for a big SUV, but the display tuning lets it down. On the test car, the image looked washed out and over-bright, with too little adjustment to rescue it. A firmware update should be on Jetour's to-do list .

The car uses USB-A ports front and rear, with no USB-C a noticeable omission that already feels behind the curve .

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. In a car that relies heavily on its screen for many functions, this is frustrating .

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 the kind of oversight that suggests insufficient real-world testing .

Space: The VT9's Strongest Suit

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 keep the cabin comfortable, and the flat, usable bench suits families with child seats.

Row three follows the usual rules for most SUVs of this type. It suits children best. Adults fit only for short trips. The seatbacks are upright, the floor is high, and access takes effort especially with child seats installed in the second row.

With all headrests raised, rear visibility is also compromised. The driver learns to rely on the side mirrors and the subpar camera system.

Cargo capacity is adequate. With all seats up, the boot is small 89 litres, enough for a few shopping bags. Fold the third row, and space expands significantly. Fold the second row as well, and the VT9 offers up to 1,680 litres of cargo volume.

Powertrain: Adequate, Not Exciting

Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine producing 154 hp and 230 Nm of torque , paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels . In a large seven-seater, the engine is middling. It is not weak, but it is not eager.

There is a brief pause before boost builds. Then the mid-range pulls willingly in both Eco and Sport modes. 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. Both draw attention away from the road at the wrong moment a safety oversight in a family vehicle.

Running Costs: Mixed Bag

Road tax is cheap. The 1.5-litre engine costs only RM120 per year . Fuel use, however, is not cheap. Over 474 km of mixed running, the VT9 reported 12.1 litres per 100 km . That is thirsty for a 1.5-litre engine, but it is believable once you factor in city traffic, short trips, and the VT9's size and weight (1,576 kg kerb weight).

For context, a Proton X90 with a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder and mild hybrid assistance can achieve under 8 litres per 100 km in similar conditions. The VT9's fuel consumption is a genuine weakness .

Equipment and Safety

The VT9 Prime is well-equipped for its RM124,350 price. Standard features include:

Six airbags

Six-speed dual-clutch automatic (wet)

10.25-inch LCD twin screen

Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

50W wireless fast charging

Driver's electric six-way seat with memory

Paddle shifters

360-degree surround-view parking assistance (image quality issues noted)

Automatic air-conditioning with rear vents

CN95 cabin air filter

Four USB-A ports

Wide-angle panoramic sunroof

Powered tailgate

Electronic parking brake with auto hold

Rain-sensing wipers

Space saver spare tyre

Safety features include blind spot detection (BSD), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), door open warning (DOW), and lane change warning (LCW). Notably, the VT9 does not have adaptive cruise control. It makes do with basic cruise control, even though cheaper cars like the Perodua Ativa offer adaptive systems.

This is where the cost control shows. Jetour has chosen to invest in space and equipment, not driver aids. That trade-off will matter to some buyers more than others.

Warranty and Ownership

Jetour sweetens the deal with:

Five free services (labour and parts)

Seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty

Ten-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty (terms apply)

The engine warranty is unusually long and suggests confidence in the 1.5-litre turbo's reliability. It also gives buyers peace of mind, even if most will never approach the million-kilometre mark .

The Verdict

The Jetour VT9 Prime majors on space and features, but it has rough edges. It looks presentable, the cabin feels righteously roomy, and the equipment list is strong for the money. However, the camera display needs sorting, USB-C is missing, the cabin reflections should be addressed, and drive mode selection should be simplified.

Sort those issues, and the VT9 starts to feel less like a good deal with caveats and more like a family SUV that punches above its weight. Until then, it remains a compelling choice for buyers who prioritise space above all else—and are willing to accept compromises elsewhere.

At RM124,350, the VT9 Prime undercuts many of its rivals. Whether those savings justify the compromises is a question only the buyer can answer. For families who need a spacious seven-seater and are willing to live with a frustrating camera and awkward drive mode controls, the VT9 represents good value. For those who demand polish and refinement, the Proton X90 or Chery Tiggo 8 Pro remain better options.

The VT9 is a car of trade-offs. Space comes first. Everything else follows. Make sure you know what you are trading before you sign .