First Drive: Jetour Dashing Prime – Is it worth your money at RM116,000?

Jetour, a Chery sub-brand newly introduced in Malaysia, made its local debut with the Dashing back in April. Available in two variants, it’s the Prime model that sits at the top of the range, priced at RM116,000. We recently had the chance to sample the Jetour Dashing Prime at a media drive event to Sekinchan, and here’s our take.

From the moment you see it, the Jetour Dashing makes an impression. Jetour clearly wasn’t playing it safe with the design. The slim LED daytime running lights, large matrix-style grille, aggressive front bumper, and unique tail lamp treatment give it a bold and futuristic appearance. It’s concept-like and edgy, even the styling won’t be to everyone’s taste. That said, it’s a look that stands out on Malaysian roads. The Prime variant rides on 19-inch wheels and adds subtle chrome accents which gives it a premium bling.

The Jetour Dashing Prime at a glance:

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged inline 4-Cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT)
Engine max power: 156 PS
Engine max torque: 230 Nm
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Price: RM116,000

Step inside and you’re greeted with a cabin that feels more expensive than expected. The Dashing Prime features dual 12.3-inch screens, one for the instrument cluster and one for infotainment. While the software and language could be more polished, the presentation is undeniably modern. As expected from a car within this price range the Dashing gets a 6-speaker Sony audio system, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, wireless phone charging, and dual-zone climate control with rear air vents.

The dashboard and centre console are finished in soft-touch materials with a minimalistic design approach. Storage space is generous throughout the car and the layered layout adds visual interest. A perfect amount of physical buttons and touch-sensitive controls are present in the cockpit so finding controls are a breeze on the go.

The front seats are plush and powered but an adjustable headrest could have taken comfort a notch further. Whereas in the rear, there’s ample legroom and headroom. The rear bench is fixed with no recline or slide, but comfort remains decent thanks to the flat floor at the rear. Boot space is rated at 486 litres with the seats up.

Under the bonnet sits a 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 156 PS and 230 Nm, paired to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). On the move, power delivery is linear and adequate for everyday driving. The DCT shifts smoothly at moderate speeds, although there’s a slight delay at low throttle inputs, which is typical of this transmission type.

Where the Jetour Dashing surprises is in its ride comfort. It soaks up rough patches and road imperfections better than expected, helped by a well-tuned suspension setup and relatively soft dampers. Noise and vibration levels are also well controlled. There’s some wind and tyre noise at highway speeds, but it’s far from intrusive.

Handling is predictable, though not particularly engaging. The steering is light and suits urban driving, but feedback is limited. For its size and purpose, it gets the job done without fuss.

In terms of safety features, the Jetour Dashing Prime comes with:

• 6 airbags (Comfort variant get 4 airbags)

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)

• Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)

• 360 degree camera system

• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Notably, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) is absent, which is fast becoming a basic expectation in this segment. Also, despite the presence of a radar module, the car only has regular cruise control, not adaptive cruise control (ACC). These omissions are puzzling in an otherwise well-equipped SUV, especially at this price point.

The Jetour Dashing Prime presents itself as a well-rounded package for the price. It’s stylish, spacious and comes with enough equipment to meet most daily needs. As a first impression, it delivers, especially in terms of design and cabin feel.

That being said, in a segment filled with feature-packed contenders, the lack of autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control does stand out. Including those would have gone a long way in making the Dashing feel more complete and competitive.

The design could also be a hit or miss depending on personal taste. Preferences are subjective, and it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But for me, it’s a win. Especially in its Aurora Green finish, which really helps it stand out.

Overall, it’s a decent car for the money. It gets the basics right, offers good road presence and ticks enough boxes to make it worth considering. With just a bit more ambition in the feature set, the Dashing could have easily shined brighter in this very competitive space.