Jetour is another brand that has emerged from China and is now exporting its vehicles to the Malaysian market. To mark its arrival on Malaysian shores, the first vehicle launched under the brand is the Jetour Dashing. The Dashing enters the Malaysian market to compete against vehicles like the Proton X70 and the Chery Omoda 5. As this segment is beginning to feel increasingly crowded, does the Jetour Dashing have what it takes to claim a spot in the competitive C-segment SUV market? Let’s find out.

From the get-go, the Dashing has an interesting design. It carries a distinctive look, yet still blends in well with the crowd. At the front, the vehicle features a rather squared-off fascia. The daytime running lights are separated from the main headlights, ensuring the headlights are not positioned too high and causing glare to other road users. With the daytime running lights mounted higher up, they remain highly visible to surrounding traffic. While the headlights are positioned lower down, they somehow still shine rather high at their highest setting. Thankfully, there is a toggle to lower them, although that adjustment is usually intended for when the vehicle is fully loaded. As such, the factory settings could use some retuning.

Moving to the side, you will find retractable door handles on the Dashing. One useful detail is that the doors can still be opened even when the handles are retracted, as long as the vehicle is unlocked. At the rear, the Dashing adopts a more conventional design. The taillights give the rear its distinctive appearance, and one refreshing touch is the absence of a full-width light bar. This helps the Dashing stand out more at night. Lastly, the SUV rides on 19-inch rims wrapped in 235/55 R19 tyres.

Inside the Dashing, you will notice hints that Jetour took some design inspiration from Mercedes-Benz, particularly with the buttons and switches. However, the materials and feel are not quite as premium as what you would find in a Mercedes-Benz. Still, the predominantly black interior should appeal to many Malaysians, while the red stitching adds some visual contrast. As for fit and finish, the cabin feels acceptable overall, with no noticeable rattles or creaks. The use of soft-touch materials around the cabin also makes the touchpoints feel pleasant.

The two displays on the dashboard are clearly inspired by the layout found in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, especially in terms of size, design, and placement. Both the infotainment system and instrument cluster sit side by side on top of the dashboard, consisting of dual 10.25-inch displays. The instrument cluster is easy to read, and even the graphics carry a slight Mercedes-Benz influence. The resolution is sharp, and glare under harsh sunlight is kept to a minimum. Inside the cluster, you will find a digital speedometer and tachometer. In daily use, the display is generally smooth, although it can occasionally lag slightly.

As for the infotainment system, touch response is reasonably smooth, while the graphics are crisp and clear. In typical Chinese car fashion, most of the vehicle settings are integrated into the infotainment system. Thankfully, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included, allowing users to stay connected easily. There is also a 360-degree camera system, which has become a common feature in many Chinese vehicles. The camera quality is decent, making it easy to position the SUV while parking. As for the sound system, the six-speaker setup is fairly basic but sufficient for casual listening. One genuine plus point for the Dashing is that the climate controls are separated from the infotainment system. This makes it much easier to adjust the air-conditioning settings without having to dig through menus on the screen.

The driver’s seat in the Dashing features a sporty bucket seat-inspired design. While it may look sporty, the actual seating experience feels far less aggressive. There is a good amount of adjustment available to help drivers find a suitable driving position, although I personally would have preferred the seat to sit slightly lower. I also found the seat cushioning to be on the firmer side, though not to the point of discomfort. Most people should still find it comfortable enough for daily use. The seat is also somewhat lacking in side support, which is unusual considering its sporty appearance. It feels as though Jetour wanted to create the look of a sports seat without compromising accessibility for a wider range of drivers.

Moving to the rear, passengers are treated to generous legroom, allowing them to stretch out comfortably. The floor is flat, making it easier for passengers to move from side to side. Headroom is also impressive despite the presence of a panoramic roof. I also noticed that the rear seat recline angle is well judged, allowing passengers to sit in a more relaxed manner. The rear bench itself is quite soft, further improving comfort levels. Behind the rear seats, you will find a 486-litre boot space, which is practical enough for most small families. Naturally, the rear seats can also be folded down to accommodate larger items when needed.

Under the hood, the Dashing is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, with power sent to the front wheels. The Jetour Dashing produces 154 hp and 230 Nm of peak torque. In terms of performance, the 1.5-litre engine provides sufficient power for daily driving duties. However, do not expect it to be particularly quick, as the powertrain still has its limits. I would describe the powertrain as reasonably refined, with smooth power delivery and vibrations kept to a minimum under load.

That said, the engine does have a rather lazy characteristic, somewhat reminiscent of certain three-cylinder turbocharged engines from local brands. Throttle response takes a few moments to react, while the gear changes feel relatively slow by dual-clutch transmission standards. The Dashing is better suited as a comfortable daily runabout, where the relaxed nature of the powertrain works in its favour. Personally, I would prefer a more responsive engine, so this setup does not entirely suit my preferences. During my time driving around Kuala Lumpur, I averaged around 12.2L/100km, which is quite high considering this is only a 1.5-litre engine.

As for the ride quality, do not expect anything particularly sophisticated from the suspension setup. The suspension tuning is fairly straightforward and somewhat stiff. After going over speed humps, the vehicle does not settle back down in a particularly plush manner. Interestingly, this behaviour is less noticeable over uneven road surfaces. Overall, it feels like a rather basic suspension tune for an SUV. However, when tackling corners, body roll is kept reasonably well under control, which is respectable for an SUV of this type. On the downside, the steering feedback feels quite vague. While the steering remains accurate enough through corners, it does not inspire much confidence when pushing the SUV harder.

On the flip side, the Dashing comes with well-tuned brakes. While they may not be performance-oriented, the pedal feel is excellent, allowing the vehicle to slow down smoothly and progressively. Stopping power is also decent. As for ADAS features, the Dashing Prime does not come with a full ADAS suite. While many people may see this as a downside, I personally appreciate the simplicity. At least there are no intrusive warning systems constantly interrupting the driving experience. That said, the SUV still includes a basic blind-spot monitoring system to alert drivers of vehicles in adjacent lanes.

At an attractive price tag of RM109,800, the Dashing may still have some flaws, but it is difficult to deny the value it offers. If space is your main priority, the Jetour Dashing certainly delivers plenty of it. On top of that, it offers something different from the usual local-brand SUVs commonly seen on Malaysian roads. Ultimately, it is a capable family SUV that gets the job done, provided you are comfortable living with its characteristics over the long term.

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