- You want a crossover-SUV with a budget of just under R500 000.
- In South Africa there are many options. Most of them Chinese. Like the dramatically styled Jetour Dashing.
- But how does it compare to a used Mazda CX-5? One of the best-built cross-SUVs on sale in South Africa?
The crossover-SUV market is wildly competitive just below R500 000. This is where many traditional car brands have smaller crossovers competing with larger, better-equipped new Chinese models.
Chery’s Jetour sub-brand is a definite contender in the sub-R500 000 crossover market, with its Dashing. But do you go for all the new tech of the Dashing, and the warranty coverage of buying a new vehicle with its full warranty still in place? Or is there better value in a used vehicle, with a proven reputation for durability and build quality, like Mazda’s CX-5?
We matched the specs, did the math, and gave you the buying advice you need when shopping for a crossover SUV with a budget of just under R500 000.
Jetour Dashing
The dramatic sloping-roofline crossover design makes this Jetour look like a mini-Urus. Like all Chinese crossovers, you get a lot of kit, for not a lot of money.
With its daring design, the Dashing might be strong on presence, but like all crossovers in the local context, owners also expect practicality. And the Dashing offers decent luggage space at 486 litres, with plenty of cabin storage.
Jetour’s Dashing has extensive standard spec, but some features are superfluous, like the panoramic sunroof, which is pointless for six months a year in South Africa’s heat-soaked climate.
The Dashing’s infotainment interface isn’t great, either. Dashing suffers from UX overdesign, with too many apps and interfaces that aren't intuitive, especially for tech-anxious users. But it does have both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
That gearbox and heavy traffic…
Like so many other Chery sub-brand models, it uses the company’s 1.5 turbopetrol engine, so there’s no performance loss at altitude. But that 115kW engine is heavier on fuel than you’d think for its size.
An issue is that the Dashing is only available with one gearbox option: a 6-speed DCT that always feels like it is working a bit too hard to mitigate turbolag. Throttle response and gearbox calibration on the Dashing are not up to European vehicle standards, and it shows in the driving experience, which isn’t always as smooth as it should be. And remember: in heavy traffic, those DCT gearboxes can suffer from exaggerated clutch slipping and premature wear.
Like too many Chinese vehicles, the Dashing does not have a full-size spare wheel, which is always an issue if you do any long-distance driving or road trip across South Africa.
But it does have Chery’s very confidence inspiring 10-year/1 000 000km engine warranty, which only applies to first owners. But still gives you 10 years of terrible peace of mind, from a turbocharged engine perspective.
Buy a quality new or used Jetour Dashing on ChangeCars
Mazda CX-5
Looks better than anything in class, with mechanical integrity and build quality to match. But there are no all-wheel drive versions. Or turbocharged petrol engines.
Mazda’s CX-5 features an attractive exterior design and a beautiful cabin architecture. And mechanically proven engines.
A fully laden CX5 does feel slow compared to turbopetrol, diesel and hybrid rivals. But Mazda’s 2.0 petrol engine promises longevity and low mechanical risk. It’s not very powerful, though, because it loses more than 10% of its power at altitude. That means you won’t have the full 121kW at your disposal if you live in Gauteng. But these Mazda engines are amazingly durable.
Buy a new or used quality Mazda CX-5 on ChangeCars
Amazing quality – annoying infotainment
The interior structure and detailing are better than those of European rivals.
But you can only navigate the infotainment functions with a physical rotary dial on the move, which is very annoying. And this is where it loses out to something like the Dashing, which has vastly superior touchscreen interfacing through its large, high-definition touchscreen.
Mazda has started introducing large touchscreens with on-the-move touch functionality in the CX-5 for the 2026 model year. But those updates have only happened in global markets like North America, for now. If you are buying a used XC-5 locally (2025 model year or older), it won't have on-the-go touchscreen functionality.
Like many other Mazdas, luggage capacity is small for its body size, at only 442-litres (smaller than the Dashing’s load space). But the rear seats do fold completely flat, to create a 1300-litre load area when needed.
Mazda’s CX-5, like the Dashing, only has a space saver spare wheel.
As a long-distance driving experience, we’d rate the CX-5 as superior to the Dashing. It also has a design that should age better, as Mazda’s design department is renowned for creating many timeless designs.
Yes, for the price of a new Jetour Dashing, you’d be buying a used CX-5 with between 20 000- to 30 000km. But for a vehicle of Mazda’s mechanical integrity, with effectively run-in mileage.
Buying Guide insights by Lance Branquinho
