With the motor industry currently facing slower sales, Jetour has actually found a way to increase its sales in 2026. Keen to capitalize on that is the introduction of a new model called the S08 i-DM, which is a 7-seater PHEV aimed squarely at the Zenix and GAC E8. Before the official launch, we were invited by Jetour to take a short media drive up Tanay to preview the S08, and in that short amount of time, I was very impressed.

Before we get to the driving, let’s first talk about what the S08 has to offer, starting with the looks. When I first saw the SUV, it struck me how it wasn’t as big as I was expecting from the outside; the design is very sleek and modern, nothing out of the ordinary, but overall it’s classy. I will admit that the front fascia design is similar in design to the Kia Carnival or the Nissan Patrol but it looks good on the S08. In terms of dimensions, it measures in at 4,810 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and 1,705 mm in height, with a total wheelbase of 2,820 mm.

Inside, the interior is bathed in a nice contrast of beige and black leather, a nice and upmarket look compared to the mundane black we’re used to these days. Jetour says that the S08 is a polished, family-oriented SUV, and it has touches like electronically adjustable 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-row seats, which is something not offered by any of the other competitors. It also features a cool 15.6-inch infotainment screen that they call a Sunflower Touchscreen Display that swivels to face the person who calls out to it. You can enable the feature by saying, “Hello Jetour,” which will prompt the system to move the screen to follow the voice. Lastly, the cabin is also customizable to deploy three configurations called Queen Bed Mode, Nap Mode, and Carwash Mode.

The Jetour S08 is powered by the i-DM PHEV powertrain that comprises a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that makes 347 horsepower and 525 Nm of torque. Jetour says it has a full EV range of 85 kilometers, but a combined total range of over 1,000 kilometers. During the drive, I noticed we were averaging around 13-14 km/L, which isn’t bad, but I’ll wait for a full review before I give a verdict. Safety-wise, the S08 comes with all the latest and important safety features in the form of ADAS, like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree HD camera.

Jumping into the S08, I immediately noticed how good the visibility and driving position are, and I appreciate that Jetour didn’t forget ergonomics, with all the buttons and toggles labelled properly and within sight of the driver, not hard to get to grips with. As we got underway, I also noticed how quiet and smooth the S08 is, and the ride is very good for something this heavy. As we pushed our way up the mountain roads leading to our destination in Tanay, I was even more surprised by how the S08 can turn from being comfortable to also being engaging to drive when you want to drive spiritedly. I kid you not when I say it feels athletic for an SUV, and the power delivery is linear and predictable.

It was a short drive, but I’d say that the S08 made a really good first impression, and priced at P 1,798,000 (introductory price is P 1,698,000 until November 30, 2026), it might just be one of the best in the segment in terms of value for money and experience. And that price comes with a 6-year or 1-million kilometer mileage warranty, a 10-year or 1-million kilometer engine, and an 8-year or 150,000-kilometer battery warranty. I’ll go out further on a limb and say that the S08 punches well above its weight based on my first drive, and is the best Jetour i’ve driven.