Caught My Eye, Kept My Attention: The Jetour Dashing Review

I’d seen the Jetour Dashing in pictures before, and it looked decent enough. But when I finally saw it in front of me, I understood why it’s called the Dashing, especially in Arctic Blue. It’s a shade that’s muted yet striking, the kind that makes people stop and do a double take. Step inside and it gets even better: pockets of luxury here, smart tech over there, all coming together in a way that feels like a lot, but in the best way possible. After a full week with it, it became clear that the Dashing isn’t chasing speed; it’s about presence and comfort. And that starts with the design.

Design: Head-Turner From Every Angle

Some say the Jetour Dashing resembles a Lamborghini Urus, especially in the headlight design, and I can see why. The front fenders are unlike anything I’ve seen before, sharp yet curvy, giving the car a unique presence. Its daytime running LEDs create a mean face, matched with a honeycomb-style grille that cleverly houses the headlights. 

That aggressive look carries through to the back, where the rear lights stretch almost to the wheel arches, finished in a checkered flag pattern that makes them stand out. Interestingly, the car has no visible exhaust pipes, and honestly, I think that’s the right choice here. It doesn’t scream performance; it leans fully into being a luxury SUV. 

From the side, the sleek profile continues, with flush door handles reminiscent of a Lamborghini Huracán. Design is subjective, of course, but in my eyes this is a stunning car, and one that looks even better in person than in pictures.

Interior: An Interior That Feels Expensive

If you’ve ever sat behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz, the Jetour Dashing’s cabin will feel familiar. The 10-inch infotainment screen sitting alongside the digital driver’s display is very reminiscent of the GLE, and even the steering wheel feels borrowed from older Benz models, only slightly better, since it avoids those overly sensitive touch buttons that are easy to hit by mistake. The centre storage cubby also opens just like a Mercedes. It’s as if Jetour took inspiration from different luxury cars and reimagined them into their own recipe.

The leather seats are comfortable and easy to adjust, though they aren’t heated or cooled. Instead, the driver gets heated steering and armrests, which do make a difference on chilly mornings. The rear seats continue the comfort story, with a folding armrest in the middle. The Deluxe version I drove also includes a full-length sunroof, flooding the cabin with light and making it feel even more spacious.

What stood out to me is the choice of materials: no glossy piano black surfaces in sight, instead, aluminium trim that feels durable and avoids looking cheap. The red stitching across the leather seats and the sporty seat design add a welcome bit of oomph, giving the interior personality beyond its Mercedes inspiration.

Tech: Feature-Rich Without Overcomplicating

The Jetour Dashing is packed with tech that feels modern and thoughtful. A 40W wireless charger sits in a rather peculiar spot, right in sight of the sun, but a built-in fan helps prevent overheating. The 10-inch infotainment screen is a touchscreen but can also be navigated via a dial, and it supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a welcome convenience. The digital driver’s display is customisable, letting you change layouts and information depending on your preference, which complements the infotainment system nicely and keeps all the essential info at a glance. Ambient lighting runs through a full spectrum of colours and can even move to the beat of your music, complemented by welcome lights by the doors that add a little flair at night.

Charging options are generous, with two ports in the front and two at the back, plus the wireless charger and a 12V socket. Small luxuries like an electric tailgate and a remote start button on the key (mostly useful, but also fun to flex) add to the sense of convenience. Voice commands work reliably for opening windows, the sunroof, and controlling climate, while auto wipers and automatic lights handle themselves when needed. Safety tech is solid, with lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, and helpful parking sensors, all of which make city driving and tight spots much easier.

The Dashing also impresses with visibility tech: a rearview camera plus a 360-degree view camera system that’s actually usable, a rare feat in this segment. On the downside, the sound system leaves something to be desired, it’s not particularly bassy and feels subpar compared to the otherwise premium cabin. There’s also currently no app connectivity to precondition the car remotely, which would be a useful addition.

Driveability: City-Friendly, But Lacks Punch

This is where the car loses a few points. The 1.5L petrol engine feels a bit small and underpowered for an SUV of this size. Turbo lag is noticeable, and high-speed overtaking can be a bit of a chore. The Dashing offers Eco and Sport modes, but the biggest gripe is that you have to switch them through the infotainment screen. Eco mode is understated, while Sport mode doesn’t provide a dramatic boost, and the engine drones at higher speeds, which makes sense since this isn’t meant to be a sporty SUV.

Fuel efficiency is another weak spot. Jetour claims 7.8L per 100km, but even with very gentle city driving I averaged around 9.7L per 100km. Overall, this comes down to the engine being slightly underpowered for the car, though for city driving it remains manageable. On the plus side, the Dashing is effortless to use in town. With all its sensors and cameras, you have plenty of assistance, making parking and navigating tight streets stress-free. Boot space is decent, not massive, but sufficient for a vehicle of this size; you won’t find yourself wishing for more.

Price: Luxury Without the Price Tag

The Jetour Dashing comes in two derivatives: the Momentum at R439,900 and the Deluxe, which I drove, at R469,900. Considering the tech, luxury, and features on offer, I’d personally call this a steal. Compared to competitors in its segment, the value becomes even clearer: the Mazda CX-5 starts around R502,000, while the Kia Sportage begins at R662,000. You do take a hit in terms of fuel efficiency, as discussed earlier, but even factoring that in, the starting price is very competitive and makes the Dashing an attractive option for anyone looking for a feature-packed, luxury-leaning SUV without breaking the bank.

Final Scorecard: 7.9/10

Category	Rating out of 10	Notes
Design	9	Unique exterior, Arctic Blue stands out, aggressive front and rear styling, sleek side profile, flush door handles. Looks even better in person than in pictures.
Performance	6	1.5L engine underpowered for an SUV, noticeable turbo lag, high-speed droning. Eco and Sport modes offer little difference. Engine size also impacts fuel efficiency at higher speeds.
Tech & Features	8	Impressive infotainment, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, ambient lighting, remote start, sensors and cameras. Sound system could be stronger; no remote app control yet.
Driveability	7.5	Comfortable ride for city driving, easy to manoeuvre with sensors and cameras, boot space adequate. Real-world fuel consumption higher than claimed (around 9.7L/100km), but still manageable.
Price	9	Excellent pricing compared to competitors like Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage. Luxury, features, and tech make it a strong value.

The Jetour Dashing is a luxury-leaning, tech-packed family SUV that impresses most in style and features. Performance and fuel efficiency hold it back slightly, but for everyday driving and overall presence, it delivers more than you’d expect at this price point.