It mainly has to do with aesthetics. An MPV isn’t the best-looking car to bring when driven solo. They want that imposing silhouette when they arrive at their destination and pass the keys to the valet. SUVs are mighty pricey though and have a step-down ride quality compared to MPVs. So, what’s the middle ground here?

The JETOUR X70 Lightning i-DM nicely fills that niche gap and more. It can take your family, and a few more with its 7-seat capability. It also has a stance of an SUV complemented with a modern design. Best of all, it’s fully featured and does it all while going for more mileage at every full tank.

Lights will lead you towards the X70 Lightning. It has a distinct lighting assembly that makes it unique especially at night. The front grille that separates it from its purely gas engine counterpart is highlighted by a slim LED outline instead of usual trims like chrome. There’s also Daytime Running Light on the headlights itself and on vertical black accent on the bumper. The rear taillights too, are unlike anything out there, making the X70 Lightning unmistakable in a sea of metal on the road.

Function isn’t overlooked. Its design is complemented with technology that allows for safer driving and capability. There’s a 360-degree camera system, Auto Headlights with Levelling, and a Powered Tailgate. There’s also sensors around the car that assist the Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, and Blind Spot Detection among others. This is topped off with a 62-inch Panoramic Sunroof that lets the cabin have natural lighting on a fine day.

Speaking of the cabin, the X70 Lightning played around technology for the design of its interior. This is why the modern amenities are easily seen in the front section. There’s a panoramic widescreen that houses twin 10.25-inch panels for the digital gauge cluster and the infotainment touchscreen. There’s another 9-inch screen for the aircon and mini screens on the knobs itself to display the temperature and fan speed. Occupants will also like the presence of USB ports, including Type-C, in the car for their charging needs.

My personal favorite in the X70 Lightning is the front seat adjustment controls on the door panel. A feature commonly seen in some cars worth 3-million and up, it certainly elevates the premium factor of the car. It also adds a lot of functionality and ease of use to the front occupants.

My second favorite is the Sony speakers. All my music from different genres sounded great even with a flat equalizer. The enhancements are also applied tastefully so even if you boost the bass or treble, they won’t sound too boomy or shrill.

The steering wheel is also notable. It has a flat bottom shape which leaves you with a bit more vertical space for your legs. Crucial for huge thighs like mine. Also, there are touch buttons on the steering wheel but aren’t overly sensitive. So, when you’re turning normally, you won’t change settings by mistake. You have to swipe them firmly in order for them to work. It’s a very nice implementation.

This Jade Green X70 Lightning comes with a Burgundy Red theme; the same interior colorway with Marble Gray. It’s also available in Mocha, if you pair it with the Coral White or Pebble Gray exterior for those that want a brighter look. Whatever you choose, you’ll definitely enjoy the space inside wherever you are seated. There’s also a lot of space for your cargo thanks to the versatile folding capability of the third and second row seats.

The X70 Lightning i-DM is the electrified version of JETOUR’s X70 SUV. It’s a lengthy name but it means something that’s surely important to you: fuel efficiency. The X70 is a plug-in hybrid with Intelligent Dual-Motor (i-DM) technology that not only assists the gasoline engine, it also allows the car to move with pure electric energy as well. You can do so for around 110 kilometers if the battery is fully charged, which is more than enough for a few days of city driving. Combine it with a full tank of gas and you can go up to 1,200 kilometers which is more than twice of a car of the same size and with a gasoline engine alone.

Power isn’t shabby either. The X70 rightfully lives up to the Lightning badge with a total power of 270 horsepower (199 kW) and 395 Nm of torque making it the most powerful in its class. Its power, combined with its fuel efficiency, make the JETOUR X70 Lightning i-DM guilt-free to use even in enthusiastic drives.

It’s hard to find fault in the X70 Lightning if you’re driving it casually on the roads. It has more than enough power for the steepest parking lots, or the uphills of Timberlands. Daily drives are also easier thanks to the ADAS. Driving in Quezon City Circle was easy thanks to the Blind Spot Detection, going out of parking lots by the road are easier with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and highway driving is a cruise with Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, and Lane Changing Assist.

Out of all the features of the X70 Lightning, it’s the efficiency that wins you over. A full tank of gas lasted a week and that’s considering my daily commute stretching from San Rafael, Bulacan to Makati, BGC, and Manila Bay. That 1,200-kilometer combined range is no fluke.

The JETOUR X70 Lightning i-DM fills a very specific niche you don’t know you’re eyeing at. It has the capacity for seven occupants, with more than enough power to take them at the highest and lowest points, in and out of Metro Manila. It also helps that it has looks that make it dashing on the red-carpet, high-end hotels, and whatever venue you have in mind. All of that without burning a hole in your pocket for fuel. At a time where the gas prices are very unstable, expensive, and public charging networks are scarce, the X70 Lightning is a problem solver indeed.