The Jetour Dashing made its local debut recently in a hotly contested field of five-seat C-segment sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
This brutally competitive landscape has resulted in consumers being spoilt rapidly by ever better value choices at more accessible price tags.
With an attention-grabbing coupe-SUV profile, a comprehensive list of premium features, and a promise of refinement and value, the Dashing is aimed squarely at younger, style-conscious buyers who want more than just practicality.
To recap, the Dashing is priced at RM109,800 (Comfort variant) and RM116,800 (Prime).
The after-sales package includes a seven-year/150,000km warranty (vehicle), 10-year/1 million km warranty (engine), and five times free service (labour and parts).
The Dashing is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 156PS at 5,500rpm and 230Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,000rpm.
Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Extra features on the Prime variant include a powered front passenger seat, adjustable rear seat back angle, six audio speakers (four speakers on Comfort variant), 360-degree surround view camera system and 180-degree transparent underbody view, Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Rear Collision Traffic Alert (RCTA), Door Open Warning (DOW), and Lane Change Warning (LCW), as well as a 75-inch wide-angle panoramic sunroof, and front and rear curtain airbags.
To put the Dashing’s credentials to the test, a drive was organised for media members — a round trip covering nearly 200km from Ara Damansara to the coastal paddy fields of Sekinchan, taking in highways and rural B-roads along the way.
Only Prime variant units were provided for the media drive.
The route wasn’t picked at random.
The smooth, free-flowing highway stretches allowed the Dashing to demonstrate its cruising refinement, while the patchy, undulating surfaces of the B-roads tested ride quality, noise insulation, and suspension tuning.
As for exterior looks, the Dashing stands out with its avant-garde coupe-inspired silhouette, concealed door handles as well as a broad and athletic posture.
We think that its sharp lines and sculpted bodywork, combined with LED lighting and bold wheel arch accents, create a distinct road presence.
The Prime variant also comes with 19-inch wheels wrapped in ultra-high performance Giti Control P10 tyres, which aim to balance dynamic performance with low rolling noise.
Step inside and we like the premium-looking interior with soft-touch surfaces, leather upholstery, high-quality plastics, and metallic trim used throughout.
It doesn’t feel low-rent or cut-price; instead, there’s a minimalist theme and clean lines that exude elegance.
Dominating the dashboard is an integrated twin-screen layout consisting of a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support.
We found the powered front seats to offer good support, while in the rear, and there is plenty of leg and headroom thanks to the Dashing’s boxy roofline and long wheelbase.
We like the centre armrest’s cooled storage box (between the front seats).
Three USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a 50W wireless phone charger meant that we easily kept our smartphones and mobile devices charged throughout the day.
The powered tailgate adds convenience, while rear luggage space is generous at 486 litres or 977 litres (rear seats down).
Meanwhile, selection of drive modes (Sports and Eco) and power steering modes (Comfort and Sport) can only be done via the 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen.
During the drive to Sekinchan, we found decent low-end torque, and throttle response is smooth when we stepped harder on the accelerator pedal whenever we needed extra speed.
The six-speed DCT shifts smoothly, and Sports mode livens up throttle and shift responses.
Still, this is a powertrain tuned more for refinement than outright performance.
There’s an easygoing nature to the Dashing’s drivability that suits urban traffic as well as longer jaunts.
The suspension is tuned for comfort, and its soft damping makes light work of surface imperfections.
Even on poorer sections of tarmac along the B-roads, ride comfort was never compromised to the point of becoming jarring.
Fitted with ultra-high performance Giti Control P10 tyres sized 235/55 R19, the Dashing provided a refined ride and we found wind and road noise to be impressively suppressed.
This allowed us to appreciate the six-speaker audio system’s clarity during the drive.
Despite its comfort-oriented suspension, the Jetour Dashing maintains a reassuring sense of control when navigating curves or quick changes in direction.
The steering is precise and responsive, and body roll is well contained around road corners.
The chassis remains composed over undulating surfaces and mid-corner bumps, and the Dashing never felt unwieldy.
We also liked the supportive seats, decent grip from the tyres, and well-calibrated brakes that offer good bite and confidence.
Based on our day trip in the Dashing, we think that the SUV offers a reassuring balance of ride comfort and handling competence, and is well-sorted for the kind of daily driving most owners will encounter, from city commuting to weekend road trips.
It’s another compelling proposition for C-segment SUV buyers looking for generous space, a smooth drivetrain, excellent NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) control, and a long list of premium features.
