11 photos why Chery should introduce the Exeed Yaoguang in Malaysia

• Chery's upscale sub-brand Exeed launches Yaoguang SUV in China
• Could Chery offer right-hand drive versions?

Just a couple of days ago, Chery via its upscale sub-brand Exeed launched the Exeed Yaoguang SUV in China. The Exeed (Yes, it’s spelled Exeed, not Exceed) Yaogang is a 5-seater C-segment SUV.

While Chery aims at domestic brands like Geely in China, Exeed is aimed at foreign brands like Toyota and Volkswagen.

In China, the Exeed Yaoguang will be offered across 6 variants – 3 front-wheel drive variants and 3 all-wheel drive variants. Prices start from CNY 152,800 (~RM 98k) and tops out at CNY 202,800 (~RM 130k).

Also Read: Range Rover lookalike or cooler? Chery's premium sub-brand to launch the Exeed Yaoguang; 2.0TGDI, bigger than CR-V

Dimension-wise, the Exeed Yaoguang is 4,781 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,671 mm tall. It has a 2,815 mm long wheelbase. It is comparable to rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 when it comes to dimensions.

Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that pushes out 257 PS and 400 Nm, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Drive is routed either to the front wheel or all four wheels, depending on variant.

According to Exeed, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions are on the cards.

Visually, the Exeed Yaoguang is one eye-catching SUV. Up front the Exeed branding is spelled out prominently across a trim piece that connects both headlights. Below that is an opening for the air intake, decorated with a honeycomb-like design.

Towards the sides, Chery has blessed this large SUV with a very matured design language, giving it curves that break the monotony. There’s also a raised beltline and sloping roofline gives the Yaoguang a very sporty look.

As for the rear-end, the Yaoguang gets a unified LED tail light. Like the front, the rear also gets the Exeed branding emblazoned on a trim piece.

But the party piece of the Exeed Yaoguang is the dashboard. Like any other modern-day vehicle that’s worth its salt, the Yaoguang gets a large digital instrument cluster and infotainment display, combined into one. However, the edge of the passenger-side display tapers off gradually, giving it an organic and cohesive look.

Beneath that are the slim air-conditioning vents, which are controlled by physical knobs. Kudos to Chery and Exeed for maintaining physical knobs for air-conditioning controls.

Notice the lack of a gear shifter? That’s because the Exeed Yaoguang gets a column-mounted shifter, ala Mercedes-Benz, freeing up space for storage on the centre console.

Other creature comfort items nestled within the cabin include Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, headrest-mounted speakers, and even massage seats.

As for us in Malaysia, it remains to be seen if the Exeed Yaoguang will be offered with a right-hand drive version. After all, Chery has shown its commitment to offering RHD versions of its newest products like the Omoda 5. Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia are some of the RHD markets that will be receiving the Omoda 5 soon.