An expedition team drove three Jetour T2 Odysseys up Sani Pass last week as part of the Beyond Borders showcase, meeting snow, rain and bitterly cold temperatures on the route between South Africa and Lesotho. The trip gives South African buyers a look at how the R679 900 flagship SUV handles steep, slippery mountain terrain.
The pass climbs to over 2 800 metres above sea level and rises by more than 1 300 metres between the two countries, with hairpin bends and gradients that see vehicles climb one metre for every three metres travelled. A late-winter cold front that swept across KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho was not part of the original plan.
Snowfall closes Sani Pass for three days
The team remained at the top of Sani Pass for three days after heavy snowfall temporarily closed the pass and covered the surrounding landscape. The black T2s were photographed in the snow at the summit, and the team captured footage of the vehicles during the expedition.
Jetour T2 off-road systems on the descent
On the descent, the team used crawl control, which works with the intelligent XWD system to distribute power between the front and rear wheels for traction while holding a slow, controlled speed. Hill descent control helped the vehicles negotiate steep sections steadily, while a rear differential lock and generous ground clearance assisted over rough and uneven ground.
The T2 offers Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock driving modes, which were used to respond to the steep gradients, loose gravel and exposed rock on the pass.
Jetour T2 Odyssey drivetrain and safety
The top of the range T2 Odyssey has a 4WD system and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with maximum output of 180kW at 5 500rpm and a top speed of 180km/h. Safety equipment includes six airbags, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear-collision warning, rollover mitigation, auto-hold assist, rear parking sensors and a 540-degree panoramic camera system.
Jetour T2 Odyssey price in South Africa
The T2 was named the 2026 South African Car of the Year and Best Sport Crossover SUV at Egypt’s Car of the Year 2026. The T2 Odyssey is priced at R679 900, and more information is available at www.jetour.co.za.
Supplied by QuickPic (Jetour)
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