The Dashing will be the first of 3 new Jetour models that is set to launch locally by end-2025.
Yet another day, yet another Chinese automaker is set to make landfall in Malaysia. And this time, the latest to do so is Jetour, with the debut of its Dashing SUV over here.
Two variants of the Dashing SUV have been made available from launch, namely the 1.5 TCI Comfort and 1.5 TCI Prime that are currently priced at RM 109,800 and RM 115,800 respectively. In conjunction with its local introduction, a limited time early-bird offer of a RM 2,000 cash rebate is available for the first 500 customers.
Dimension-wise, the Jetour Dashing measures 4,590 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, and 1,685 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,720 mm long. This sees the Jetour being longer and wider, but shorter than the Proton X70, which it competes against in the same C-segment SUV category.
Now true to its Dashing name, this Jetour is certainly a rather dashing thing to look at. This sleekly styled SUV sports a large front grille flanked by split-matrix LED headlights, with a pair of sleek ‘Mecha-Eyes’ daytime running lights (DRLs) sitting atop it.
Its sleek rear end meanwhile features a pair of Y-shaped wraparound taillights, as well as a stylised third brake light integrated within its subtle roof spoiler. The base Comfort variant rides on 18-inch wheels, while the higher-spec Prime is equipped with 19-inch alloys.
Moving inside, the Dashing’s minimalist button-less dashboard houses a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). Standard equipment with this Jetour SUV includes keyless entry and start, remote engine start, leather upholstery, a six-way powered driver’s seat, automatic climate control with rear vents and a CN95 filter, a 50W wireless charging pad, four USB ports and a four-speaker audio system.
For the extra RM 6,000, the higher-end Prime improves upon the Comfort’s equipment levels by adding a panoramic sunroof, heated side mirrors with LED welcome lights, rain-sensing wipers, a four-way powered front passenger seat, reclinable rear seat backrest and interior ambient lighting. The speaker count has also been bumped from four to six, likewise the airbag count as well.
Also exclusive to the higher-end Dashing Prime are several ADAS features that come in the form of lane change warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and a 360° surround view monitor with a 180° transparent underbody view. The base Comfort variant nevertheless features passive cruise control, a reverse camera, ABS, EBD, brake assist, ESC, traction control, six airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX child seat anchors, overspeed warning and four reverse sensors.
Regardless of variant, the Dashing lands locally powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-pot rated at 156 PS and 230 Nm of torque that is shared with the Chery Omoda 5. Drive is sent exclusively to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, with the SUV offering three drive modes (Economy, Comfort, Sport) to pick from.
Five exterior hues are available for the Dashing, and these are Carbon Black, Hematite Red, Khaki White, Phantom Grey and Aurora Green. The Dashing comes with a seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and a 10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty, as well as a five-time free labour/parts service package.
Just to provide a little bit more background on the brand itself, Jetour — which is incidentally pronounced ‘Jietu’ by the way — is actually yet another subsidiary of Chery. Though unlike Jaecoo in Malaysia, Jetour is set to be more removed from the mothership, with a distinct team set to oversee operations locally.
What’s more is that while the Dashing is the first and only Jetour model to make its way into the local market, it will be joined by others before the year is out. The Chinese automaker has hinted that the seven-seater D-segment SUV X70 Plus (name will inevitably change when it lands locally) will be arriving over here sometime in the next couple of months, followed by its Land Rover Defender-esque T2 Traveller sometime in the 3rd quarter of 2025.
The brand also provided an update on its network expansion in the country, announcing that more than 30 new 4S and 3S centres are scheduled to open across Malaysia in 2025 alone. The company further added that it has secured a comprehensive spare parts inventory nationwide, and has partnered with Berjaya Assembly to subsequently locally assemble the currently fully-imported Dashing (and presumably its future models) in Johor.
