Proton X70 Overview

The Proton X70 is the first C-segment sports utility vehicle (SUV) from the national carmaker, Proton. It’s based on the Geely Boyue but has received several updates from Proton including in the styling and tuning. The X70 was launched in 2018 with initial units being fully imported Complete Built-Up (CBU) units. From 2020 onwards, all models are locally assembled Complete Knockdown (CKD) units. It goes up against SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 though the price of the Proton X70 also means that it can compete against smaller SUVs like the Honda HR-V.

General Information

Proton X70 Variants

The Proton X70 is available in four variants in Malaysia - the Standard, Executive, Premium, and Premium X. All variants are powered by a 1.8L turbocharged gasoline direct injection (TGDI) engine with a two-wheel-drive configuration. Prior to the CKD versions, there was an all-wheel-drive version though it has been discontinued due to low demand.

Proton X70 Pricing

The price of a new Proton X70 in Malaysia starts from RM94,800 for the Standard, RM106,800 for the Executive, RM119,800 for the Premium, and RM122,800 for the Premium X variants.

Colors Available

There are six colors available on the Proton X70. Options are Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Ruby Red, Space Grey, and Cinnamon Brown.

Proton X70 Basic Features

Interior

The Proton X70 has a very pleasant and upmarket interior, especially on the Premium variants. It sports a leather steering wheel on the Standard and Executive variants, while the Premium and Premium X get it in Nappa leather. In terms of seat material, the Standard variants have fabric seats, the Executive has leatherette seats, while the Premium and Premium X have Nappa leather seats. Other features include Normal or Sport Drive mode selection switch on the steering wheel, LCD combination meter, auto-dimming rearview mirror, intelligent entry with push start button, remote engine start, and front welcome lamps. There are also power windows with anti-trap function on the driver side, driver power seat with 6-way adjustment and 2-way lumbar adjustment, 4-way adjustable powered front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, dual-zone auto air-conditioning, rear air vents, an air purifier system, a tonneau cover, and panoramic sunroof.

Exterior

All variants except the Standard have LED projector headlights, LED daytime running lights (DRLs), auto rain-sensing front wipers, and a power tailgate. Additionally, the Premium variants have a foot-sensor activation function for their tailgate. The Standard variant has halogen projector headlights and a manual tailgate. Shared by all variants are auto headlights with follow me home function, LED front foglights.

Cabin Space

The Proton X70 has ample space in its cabin to fit a family of five. It measures 4,519 mm long, 1,831 mm wide, and 1,694 mm tall. It also has a large, 515-liter boot which is expandable via the split-folding rear seats.

Infotainment system

When it debuted, the Proton X70 had the most advanced infotainment system in a Proton vehicle. Standard on all variants are an 8-inch touchscreen monitor with online navigation, music streaming, weather forecast, smartphone, and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as 4G and Wifi connectivity. All variants also have one data-transfer USB port and five charging USB ports. 

The Standard and Executive variants have standard voice command functionalities while the Premium and Premium X have a more advanced voice command system. Also, the number of speakers varies according to variants with the Standard getting six speakers, the Executive getting eight speakers, while the Premium and Premium X get nine speakers with a power amplifier and subwoofer.

Proton X70 Driving Performance 

The X70 is powered by a 1.8L 4-cylinder DOHC TGDI engine that produces 184 PS of max power at 5,500 rpm and 300 Nm of max torque from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm. Power is sent to the front wheel via a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission with Manual Mode. Being a large and heavy SUV, the X70 has relatively high fuel consumption figures at 7.6 L/100 km. Although it’s heavy, it has enough grunt to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds. 

Proton X70 Safety Features

For its price, the Proton X70 is packed with safety features. Available on all variants are six SRS airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Brake Hold, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Hold Assist (HHA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), four rear parking sensors, immobilizer, and anti-theft alarm. The Standard variant has a regular reverse camera while the rest have a 360-degree camera. The Executive also gets two front parking sensors while the Premium and Premium X get four front parking sensors.

Additional safety features only found on the Premium and Premium X variants are Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Door Opening Warning System (DOW), Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

With its price, the Proton X70 offers a lot in terms of comfort, tech, and safety. It is a great value-for-money C-segment SUV that is affordable without sacrificing build quality. Although it has a higher fuel consumption than its competitors it still provides more features than other higher-priced SUVs making it a clear winner for many car buyers.