Jetour Auto Malaysia launched their inaugural model in the country, the Dashing SUV, following its initial preview at the brand’s Malaysian debut in May 2024. Available in 2 variants, the Comfort and Premium, the Dashing is priced between RM109,800 and RM116,800.
That pricing is especially eyebrow-raising as this was very close to the original starting price of the Chery Omoda 5 back in mid-2023, a vehicle that’s one segment smaller than the Dashing, which in terms of dimensions, goes up against the Proton X70 and Chery Tiggo 7 Pro in the C-segment space.
Specifically, the 5-seater SUV measures 4,590 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, 1,685 mm tall with a 2,720 mm wheelbase, and thus sized somewhere midway between the Honda CR-V and the Toyota Corolla Cross, if that helps to better contextualise things.
It’s styling is perhaps its biggest selling point, boasting a more swept back design and a slightly sloping coupe-like roofline. It’s available in 5 exterior colours: Aurora Green (looks the best IMHO), Phantom Grey, Carbon Black, Khaki White, and Hemamite Red.
Differentiating between the variants, visually, are the wheels with the base Comfort getting 18-inch rollers while the Prime gets 19-inch alloys.
Interestingly, despite Jetour also being one of the subsidiary brands under the Chery Group, the Malaysian arm of the marque’s distribution, marketing, and production will have nothing to do with Chery’s official presence in Malaysia (….Chery Malaysia, which also tangentially oversees Jaecoo).
As we understand it, the initial batch(es) of Jetour Dashings will be fully imported from Wuhu, China, though the automaker states that local assembly will begin as early as late next month.
Fitting for its connection/contrast to the Omoda 5, propulsion duties for the Dashing is supplied by a 1.5 litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 156 PS at 5,500 rpm and 230 Nm of torque from 1,750 rpm to 4,000 rpm, leading us to conclude that this is the exact engine used in the Omoda, though the jury is still out on whether this power deficit will be noticeable.
Importantly, where engine sends power to the front wheels via a CVT, the Dashing utilises a 6-speed wet-type dual-clutch automatic transmission, which should provide a better and more refined driving experience. Cog swaps can also be manually overridden via the standard paddle shifters.
Standard kit on the Prime includes LED headlamps, DRLs, and taillights, a powered tailgate, keyless entry and start, remote engine start, leather seat upholstery, a six-way powered driver’s seat, a dual screens comprising of 10.25-inch screens to handle driver instrumentation and infotainment Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, a 50W wireless charging pad, four speakers and automatic air-conditioning with rear vents, and CN95 filter.
The Prime variant then adds a panoramic sunroof, a 6-way powered front passenger seat, ambient lighting, lane change assist, blind spot monitoring, lane change warning, rear cross traffic alert and a 360-degree around view monitor.
If you’re curious about after-sales support in Malaysia, Jetour has confirmed that more than 20 service centres nationwide have been established, while more than 10 3S and 4S centres are on track to open their doors within 2025.
In addition, Jetour Auto Malaysia, has promised the Dashing will be offered with 5 times free servicing, a 7-year (or 150,000km) vehicle warranty, and a 10-year extended engine warranty.