The Proton X50 may be small, but it’s probably the best car they sell now thanks to the upgrades.
Last week, Proton handed us the keys to the new X50, gave us a room to stay in Ipoh, and asked us to enjoy the car on our own time. This gave us a proper opportunity to evaluate the car the way regular owners might on a short weekend getaway with time spent in the city, on the highway, and on small-town roads. The X50 was given a major refresh in July of this year, and the changes have been so substantial that one would be tempted to give it the label of ‘all-new’. After our time with the car, we tend to agree with this.
The X50 hasn’t been given a new chassis, which is usually what qualifies a vehicle for the label of ‘all-new’. However, it has been given a new engine, a new exterior design and a new interior along with some major equipment upgrades. In essence, they’ve done more to this car than some car makers do in a generational change between models.
The biggest upgrade, in our view, is the new engine. Prior to this, the X50 was only available with a 3-cylinder turbo and all but the flagship variant got a lower powered port injected engine. While the 3-cylinder turbos were always okay as far as 3-cylinder engines go, there was always a little something missing. The start ups could be a little rougher than expected, the port injected versions were a little rougher and had to be worked at for power. One would feel pressured to splurge on the Premium model just to enjoy the benefits of the direct injection version of this motor.
With the new 4-cylinder engine, the upgrades are manifold, no pun intended. The first improvement is to refinement, it’s smooth from start-up to redline. The second is in torque delivery – you get linear and progressive acceleration at nearly any speed. The third upgrade is that you get this same powertrain on EVERY variant of the X50, so there isn’t any pressure to pay extra for the top-tier variant anymore.
It’s hard not to overstate how much of an improvement this one change under the hood is for the X50. At RM86K, you’re getting an engine that has as much power and MORE torque than the 1.5L turbo offered by Honda at RM131K. It’s a serious threat in the realm of mass market ICE vehicles.
Another upgrade that’s probably going to stand out more to potential customers is the new interior. This too, is an objective leap forward for the X50.
The cabin takes design cues from the e.MAS 7 in its use of two floating digital displays and its floating centre console design. It’s finished in black on the lower tier models but our top tier variant on test it’s finished in two-tone black and red leather.
The 14.6″ infotainment unit gets Android Auto and Apple Carplay for the first time and it’s implemented better than on the e.MAS 7 where the left hand drive menu orientation was not corrected. The 8.88″ driver display was also impressive and even displayed abbreviated Google Maps instructions via CarPlay, which was something we just can’t wrap our heads around yet. I personally haven’t noticed any other car do this before and I’m surprised Proton hasn’t even mentioned it. Or maybe they have as a little ‘by the way’ feature in their brochure.
Also worth commending in the cabin is the versatility of charging interfaces. Proton have a good track record of this on their Geely-derived models and it continues here. You get a wireless charger for the driver, USB-A and USB-C charging ports front and rear as well as a 12V socket – just about everything you can expect in an passenger car.
There are other upgrades to talk about, but none stand out quite as much as these two. In our experience these upgrades more than qualify the new X50 for a solid recommendation. You get a great new engine that’s as powerful and refined as what rivals offer for a LOT more money. You get a cabin that has features and high quality appointments expected on premium marques just one generation ago.
Obviously the exterior styling is also what’s driving the public’s interest in the new X50. We think it looks sportier and more futuristic but not quite as tidy and elegant as the outgoing model. The red brake calipers and ‘carbon weave’ spoiler with ‘S’ on it for no reason (there’s no S variant or moniker attached to the X50) are a step too far in tacky territory for our taste though. Still, it isn’t an ugly vehicle and Proton wasn’t responsible for this look anyway, it’s taken directly from the Geely donor vehicle.
In terms of ride and handling, the X50 is slightly improved at higher speeds. As usual, Proton’s inputs to suspension tuning have probably made it more stable than it would have been directly from Geely, but the X50 still lacks that ‘b-road carver’ appeal. There’s still a touch of nerve-inducing bodyroll at higher speeds, in tighter corners from it really feeling like a sporty vehicle. The Honda HR-V Turbo and Civic Turbo, for example, are a lot more ‘organic’ in suspension tuning but only at the extremes. The advantages are hard to detect on day-to-day drives.
To sum up, the Proton X50 has been massively improved upon. The biggest criticism we would levy against Proton now is that its cheapest SUV is now a lot more refined and modern than its larger and more expensive stablemates. Well, we’re sure by this time next year things will be different.
2025 Proton X50 Specifications
Engine: Inline-4, DOHC, Direct Injection, Turbocharged Petrol
Capacity: 1,499cc
Gearbox: 7-speed DCT
Max Power: 178hp @ 5,500rpm
Max Torque: 290Nm @ 2,000rpm
Price: RM113,300
