Snow, steep gradients and rugged mountain terrain gave the Jetour T2 Odyssey a serious real-world test on one of Southern Africa’s most challenging high-altitude routes
Few roads in Southern Africa command quite the reputation of Sani Pass. Rising to more than 2,800 metres above sea level and climbing over 1,300 metres between South Africa and Lesotho, the legendary mountain route combines dramatic scenery with demanding driving conditions.
Hairpin bends, loose gravel, exposed rock and steep gradients already make the journey an adventure. Add rain, freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, and the challenge becomes considerably more intense.
That was the setting for three Jetour T2 Odyssey SUVs as they headed up Sani Pass as part of Jetour’s Beyond Borders showcase.
The Jetour T2 Meets Sani Pass
What began as an opportunity to demonstrate the SUV’s off-road capabilities quickly became a far more demanding test when a powerful late-winter cold front swept across KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho.
The Jetour T2 Odysseys encountered slippery mountain roads, bitterly cold temperatures, rain and snow as they made their way through the pass.
At the summit, heavy snowfall temporarily closed Sani Pass, leaving the expedition team at the top for three days. The conditions also created a dramatic setting, with the black T2s standing against a landscape blanketed in snow.
Beyond the imagery, however, the expedition offered an opportunity to put several of the T2 Odyssey’s key off-road technologies to work.
Off-Road Technology Put to the Test
Among the features used during the descent was crawl control. Working alongside the intelligent XWD system, it distributes power between the front and rear wheels to improve traction while allowing the vehicle to maintain a slow and controlled pace.
Hill descent control provided additional assistance across the steep downhill sections, while the rear differential lock and generous ground clearance helped the SUVs navigate rough and uneven terrain.
Drivers could also call on seven driving modes – Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock – allowing the T2 to adapt its responses to changing surfaces and conditions.
On Sani Pass, those conditions ranged from loose gravel and exposed rock to steep gradients, mud and snow.
Power Meets Adventure
Priced at R679,900, the Jetour T2 Odyssey sits at the top of the T2 range and combines its rugged positioning with the luxury and technology expected from the brand.
The SUV features a four-wheel-drive system paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It produces a maximum output of 180kW at 5,500rpm and has a claimed top speed of 180km/h.
Its capability is matched by an extensive collection of driver assistance and safety technology.
Six airbags are joined by blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear-collision warning and rollover mitigation. Auto-hold assist, rear parking sensors and a 540-degree panoramic camera system provide additional support when navigating both urban environments and more challenging terrain.
From City Streets to Mountain Roads
The Sani Pass expedition adds another chapter to the Jetour T2’s growing presence in the SUV market.
The model has already received several accolades, including recognition at the 2026 South African Car of the Year awards and the title of Best Sport Crossover SUV at Egypt’s Car of the Year 2026.
Taking on Sani Pass in unexpectedly severe weather provided a different kind of test.
From snow-covered mountain roads to steep descents and rugged terrain, the expedition demonstrated how the Jetour T2 Odyssey’s off-road technology can translate from a specification sheet into real-world driving conditions.
For an SUV designed to balance everyday comfort with a sense of adventure, there are few proving grounds quite as fitting as Sani Pass.
