Tag Archives: C-segment SUV

TEST DRIVE

Five things you need to know about the Jetour Dashing – First Drive

On April 9, 2025, another automotive brand from Mainland China made its official debut in the Malaysian market, namely Jetour.

For the readers’ information, Jetour is one of the brands under the large Chery group, focusing on crossover and SUV models for small families and young buyers.

However, Jetour Malaysia is operated by a different entity, so this new brand indirectly poses a challenge to Chery and its premium sub-brand, Jaecoo.

The first model launched for the Malaysian market is the Jetour Dashing, a C-segment SUV with a captivating appearance and a competitive price tag.

In Malaysia, the Dashing, or Dàshèng, which means “monkey king,” is set to compete with well-known C-segment SUVs such as the Honda CR-V, Proton X70, and Toyota Corolla Cross.

With a selling price below RM120,000, can the Jetour Dashing serve as a better alternative?

Here’s our early review based on a brief test drive from Ara Damansara to Sekinchan.

 

Exterior

While most models in the C-segment SUV category here have rather safe yet boring designs, the Jetour Dashing arrives to break that tradition with a bolder and more prominent design.

Should we call it eclectic?

This is because the Dashing showcases a blend of imagery reminiscent of luxurious SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus, featuring daytime running lights (DRLs) that evoke Iron Man’s eye, a sporty coupe SUV profile, and a rear with chequered flag elements.

In our view, to enhance the sporty image of this SUV, the chrome elements on the sides could be darkened, and the exhaust tips should not be hidden behind that aggressive diffuser.

Some might argue that the Jetour Dashing has hints of Porsche SUV elements.

Your viewpoint has merit.

This is because the design of the Jetour Dashing is crafted by Hakan Saracoglu, a former Porsche designer responsible for significant models such as the 918 Spyder, Boxster, and Cayman.

The result is a C-segment SUV with a design that truly captures attention on the road, clearly setting it apart from competing models that possess a more family-oriented SUV image.

 

Interior

The layout of the Jetour Dashing’s dashboard follows the typical setup found in any Chinese-made SUV, particularly from the larger Chery family.

According to Jetour, the Dashing employs a ‘wrap-around’ approach that adapts elements from traditional Chinese house designs, followed by touches of German luxury cars dominating that area, as seen in the steering wheel and engine start button.

There is a dual-screen setup housing a 10.25-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, with specific controls for the air conditioning system located below the central vents.

For the driver and front passenger, bucket-style seats provide a sporty theme that matches the overall concept.

These front seats can hold the body firmly, preventing side slips, although the design might be a bit tight, particularly for larger individuals.

One commendation must go to the Dashing for offering second-row seats that are surprisingly plush and comfortable, while also not providing an overly upright seatback angle.

Even though the exterior of this coupe-style SUV may seem compact, there is still ample headroom, as well as a flat floor structure providing additional legroom.

Indeed, sitting in the back feels more comfortable and satisfying (and accommodating for a full stomach) during the trip back to Ara Damansara, thanks to a cabin that remains quiet without external noise intrusion.

You only need a bit of patience to enjoy the cold airflow from the second-row vents, which can be challenging to adjust for directional airflow.

For passenger convenience, there are several available USB charging ports and a 50W wireless charging slot located on the center console.

Inside the Dashing cabin, you can also experience the unique feature of storing small umbrellas in special compartments located on each door panel, reminiscent of a Rolls-Royce!

Returning to the driver’s seat, we found the digital cluster display easy to read; however, it is equipped with somewhat slow graphical responsiveness.

This can be noticeable during acceleration phases, where the RPM needle movement is not smooth and does not synchronize with the engine’s roar when the accelerator pedal is pressed.

Additionally, you need to access the driving mode options (Eco/Sport) through the central screen since no special function button is provided for that.

 

Driving Experience

The Jetour Dashing is powered by a 1.5-liter inline-four turbo engine that produces 154 hp and 230 Nm of torque. Yes, it is the same engine used in the B-segment Chery Omoda 5 SUV.

The power is transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

On paper, it seems powerful; however, in the real world, we find it difficult to achieve an exhilarating response for smooth acceleration from a standstill in this SUV.

In fact, during the acceleration test, the Jetour Dashing struggles to compete with the performance shown by B-segment SUVs that often dominate the right lanes of highways.

So, who is the Jetour Dashing for?

In our opinion, the Jetour Dashing, with its Urus-like appearance, is more suited for those who prefer a more relaxed driving experience and are not in a hurry to chase traffic lights as they turn red. It doesn’t need to be driven fast to attract attention.

The stopping aspect is also commendable; however, in terms of handling, the Dashing may disappoint some who are expecting an exciting driving experience from this sporty-looking SUV.

This is because the MacPherson and Multilink suspension tuning on the Dashing is more inclined to provide a comfortable ride all the time, successfully absorbing all forms of bumps and road irregularities without causing significant jolts.

In simple terms, it is not designed for aggressive driving.

The steering response is light and easy to control, although it lacks the feedback and input you might seek, especially when navigating bends.

What we like about the Jetour Dashing is its commendable noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels, where wind noise and engine roars are effectively filtered to keep the cabin quiet throughout the journey.

 

Safety Features Could Be Improved

As standard, the Jetour Dashing comes equipped with four airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Traction Control System (TCS).

Switching to the Prime variant that we tested, you will receive additional features, including two extra airbags (for a total of six) and basic driver assistance (ADAS) features such as lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring (BSM), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), and a surround-view camera system.

Unfortunately, this Prime variant does not come standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) functionality, which is a significant shortcoming for a new model being sold in 2025.

 

Jetour Dashing: For Whom?

In a market already flooded with various family SUV models, we believe that the Jetour Dashing is more suited for those seeking a stylish SUV at a more affordable price.

It not only boasts an attractive design but also offers a spacious cabin that is comfortable for the entire family, practical, and loaded with modern features.

Most importantly, with a selling price of RM116,800, you may think twice about previously considering a more expensive competitor model.

 

Specifications for the 2025 Jetour Dashing

  • Engine: 1.5-liter inline-four turbo
  • Power: 154 hp, 230 Nm
  • Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • Suspension: MacPherson strut front, Multilink rear setup
  • Cargo space: 486 liters, expandable to 977 liters
NEWS

2025 Jetour Dashing officially launched in Malaysia – prices starting from RM109,800

Jetour Auto Malaysia has officially launched the Dashing 2025 model, a C-segment SUV, for the local market today.

Offered in two main variants, Comfort and Prime, the Jetour Dashing is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that produces 154 hp at 5,500 rpm and 230 Nm of torque between 1,750 and 4,000 rpm.

Power is transmitted to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

Three driving modes are available: Economy, Comfort, and Sport.

Using the Kunlun architecture, the Jetour Dashing has dimensions of 4,590 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, 1,685 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,720 mm.

This positions the Dashing to compete with Japanese C-segment SUV models such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota Corolla Cross.

Standard exterior features include 18-inch rims, LED headlights and taillights, and a power-operated tailgate.

The cargo space can hold up to 486 liters and can expand to 977 liters when the second-row seats, which have a 60:40 split ratio, are folded flat.

Inside the cabin, the Dashing features a 10.25-inch digital cluster display, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a CN95 cabin air filter, a 50W wireless device charging slot, automatic climate control, leather seat upholstery, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, and a four-speaker audio system.

The Prime variant adds additional features such as 19-inch rims, a panoramic glass roof, four-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat, ambient lighting, and a 360-degree surround monitoring system.

In terms of safety, the Jetour Dashing includes features such as six airbags, ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and ISOFIX mounts.

The Prime variant enhances safety with features such as a blind spot monitoring system, lane change warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot detection, door opening alerts, and a 180-degree transparent floor view.

For the Malaysian market, the Jetour Dashing is priced starting from RM109,800 to RM116,800.

EV, NEWS

Toyota C-HR+ debuts in Europe, e-TNGA 2.0 platform, range up to 600 km

Toyota now has a new electric vehicle (EV) model, and it no longer uses the ‘bZ’ prefix seen in models like the bZ4X and bZ3.

Instead, it adopts the existing name, C-HR+.

Although it carries the C-HR+ name, this electric vehicle does not share the same platform as the standard C-HR; rather, it utilizes the e-TNGA 2.0 platform, which is the same as that of the bZ4X.

This is evidenced by its length of 4,520 mm and a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, significantly larger than the second-generation C-HR.

For the European market, the C-HR is available in a single electric motor version with 165 hp, offering acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, a 57.7 kWh battery pack, and a driving range of 455 km.

A more powerful version produces 221 hp with a swift 0-100 km/h time of 7.4 seconds, accompanied by a 77 kWh battery pack that allows for a range of up to 600 km.

There is also an all-wheel-drive version equipped with two electric motors, generating 338 hp and achieving acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds. With the same 77 kWh battery pack, this AWD variant can travel up to 525 km.

In terms of exterior design, the C-HR+ closely resembles the standard C-HR, with the exception of more streamlined taillights, a roof spoiler, and a ducktail spoiler at the rear.

Standard features for the C-HR+ include AC charging at 11 kW (or up to 22 kW) as well as DC fast charging of up to 150 kW.

To ensure optimal charging operation, the C-HR+ is equipped with a battery pre-conditioning system that can be activated manually or automatically.

Inside the cabin, there is a 14-inch infotainment display complete with physical control knobs, dual wireless device charging slots, and a mapping navigation system capable of identifying charging points based on the SUV’s driving range.

Finally, the C-HR+ is equipped with advanced safety features as standard, including a blind spot monitoring system, adaptive high beam assistance, and parking brake support.

Features such as a surround-view monitoring system and parking assistance are reserved for the more premium variants.

According to Toyota, the C-HR+ is set to launch in several selected European markets by late 2025.

TEST DRIVE

Three shortcomings found in the Kia Sportage 1.6T cabin

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The new generation of the Kia Sportage was officially launched at the end of last year as a locally assembled unit (CKD), although it actually arrived somewhat late compared to other markets.

With a competitively priced package accompanied by appealing specifications, the Kia Sportage has the potential to be an alternative in a market dominated by Japanese SUVs such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross.

Based on a short test drive recently, the writer was generally satisfied with what the Kia Sportage offers.

Not all vehicles are perfect in their offerings; there are a few minor weaknesses present in this C-segment SUV.

However, for us, these are minor issues if you can tolerate the shortcomings and prioritize driving satisfaction.

 

Not Everyone is Fond of the Rotary PRND Dial

The variant we tested is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo engine paired with a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and e-shift functionality.

This means it does not come with the conventional gear lever commonly found in other SUV models.

The benefit of using a rotary dial is that it creates a more spacious cockpit appearance, but not everyone appreciates this feature.

Personally, I prefer a physical PRND gear lever, which is easier to control and aligns better with the muscle movements we are accustomed to.

 

Empty Function Buttons on the Center Console

Located next to the rotary PRND dial, you will notice a cluster of empty function buttons on the center console.

It is unfortunate that these function buttons are not assigned any features, unlike international specifications that offer features like heated steering wheels and heated or ventilated seats.

It appears empty and gives the impression that the Sportage 1.6T is a lower variant.

 

Climate Control Panel May Be Difficult to Use

Another interesting feature of the Kia Sportage 1.6T is the touch-based climate control panel and infotainment system located below the central air vents.

Essentially, the driver no longer needs to dig through control menus typically embedded in the infotainment screen.

However, it operates using a touch system, and at times it can be a bit difficult to control, especially for drivers with larger fingers.