Can the Jetour X70 Plus Engine Handle KSA's Summer Heat?

Saudi Arabia: The answer is definitely yes; the Jetour X70 Plus is built to handle Saudi Arabia’s extreme summer conditions, especially if you choose the 1.6L turbo engine. It’s better suited for long highway drives in heat, full family loads, and stop-start city traffic in places like Riyadh or Dammam without feeling strained. 

The cooling systems are tuned for GCC climates, so overheating in daily use is not a problem you have to worry about. For buyers planning frequent trips to different places or weekend travel, the 1.6L is the safer long-term choice for performance and engine durability in real Saudi driving conditions.

Two Engines, Two Different Stories

Jetour gives you a choice between a 1.5-liter turbo (in the Comfort trim) and a 1.6-liter turbo (in the LUX variant). The smaller engine makes 154 hp and 230 Nm of torque. That's fine for city runs and weekend trips to Khobar. The bigger 1.6-liter pumps out 197 hp and 290 Nm, closer to what you find in a 2.0-liter engine from five years ago.

Both engines use turbocharging. That means they extract more power from less fuel, at least in theory. In real-world Saudi conditions, think 48-degree heat in Riyadh and long stretches of King Fahd Road, turbos can struggle if they are not built right. Jetour uses what it calls Miller cycle technology on the 1.6-liter engine. It's an advanced setup that cuts fuel waste while keeping power strong. The company says it averages 12.5 km/l, which is decent for an SUV this size, though your actual mileage will depend on how heavy your right foot is.

Engine Specification	1.5L Turbo	1.6L Turbo
Displacement	1,498 cc	1,598 cc
Power Output	154 hp	197 hp
Torque	230 Nm	290 Nm
Transmission	6-speed automatic	7-speed DCT
Fuel Economy (claimed)	13.6 km/L	12.8 km/L

The 1.5-liter comes with a six-speed automatic, which is smooth enough; there's not much to write about. The 1.6-liter gets a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. As they are known as DCTs, they shift faster than regular automatics, which helps with acceleration. But they can feel jerky in stop-and-go traffic if the software not tuned well. Some Chinese brands have had issues here. Jetour seems to have sorted it, but it's worth testing yourself during a long test drive in Riyadh traffic.

What This Means on Saudi Roads

Let's be clear. Neither engine is a rocket or something really special. But they certainly are quite suitable for our driving conditions. The 1.5-liter handles daily driving without complaint. If you are mostly cruising between Riyadh and Al Kharj or doing the school run in Jeddah, it's enough. Add a full load of passengers and luggage for a weekend in Taif, and you'll notice the engine working harder on uphill sections.

The 1.6-liter is the better option if you regularly carry seven people or tow anything. That extra 60 Nm of torque makes a real difference when the SUV is fully loaded. Overtaking on highways feels more confident. You're not waiting forever for the engine to wake up.

Front-wheel drive is standard across the range. No four-wheel drive option. That limits off-road capability, but most X70 Plus buyers are unlikely to venture into deep desert terrain. For mall parking in Riyadh or coastal drives to Jeddah, FWD is fine. It also helps keep the price down and fuel consumption reasonable. Heat is the real test. Saudi summers are demanding on engines. Jetour's been in hot markets for years now, so the cooling system should cope, as they have tuned it to our weather conditions.  

Conclusion 

The X70 Plus engines are competent. Not thrilling, not troublesome. Both should survive Saudi heat if you maintain them properly. The real question is not whether these engines work. They most certainly do, but it depends on whether you trust a newer Chinese brand over established Japanese or Korean rivals in the same price range. Jetour is betting on warranty length and features to win the 1.6-liter engine. So far, many Saudi buyers are listening.

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