2026 Proton X90 MC Leaked: Equipped with four-cylinder engine, offers Carplay

[PCauto] As Proton's flagship seven-seater SUV, the X90 has created quite a stir in the local D-Segment market since its debut in 2023, basking in the spotlight as the “brand's first new energy vehicle.”

The 48V BSG mild hybrid system does deliver impressive smoothness, but concerns over resale value and long-term maintenance costs have left many family buyers hesitant.

The 2026 Proton X90 MC has been leaked online recently, with its official brochure surfacing ahead of launch—offering an early glimpse of the updates.

Switch to a four-cylinder engine

The core change in this redesign lies beneath the hood—the “heart” of the vehicle. Proton has dropped the previous 1.5 L three-cylinder mild hybrid setup, fully upgrading to the 1.5 L four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection engine, code-named i-GT.

This engine is not unfamiliar to us; it has already proven its reliability and better vibration suppression performance in the revamped X70 and S70 models.

Although the specs on paper show that 181 PS horsepower and 290 Nm torque are slightly less impressive than the old mild hybrid version's 190 PS / 300 Nm, in real-world driving, the absence of the mild hybrid system’s complexity offers a purer, more predictable power and maintenance solution.

For owners who plan to keep their car for five to seven years, the freedom from worrying about the replacement cost of the 48V lithium battery is also a relief.

Offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Apart from the powertrain upgrades, Proton has finally filled the last gap in its smart cockpit features.

The 2026 X90 MC confirms standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims.

In this era where even entry-level small cars are popularizing mobile connectivity, it certainly felt outdated for the flagship X90 to still require wired connections or rely on third-party screen mirroring solutions.

This time, the 12.3-inch central control screen can finally showcase its full potential. Paired with the newly added 10.3-inch digital instrument panel (previously exclusive to higher trims), the interior's tech-savvy vibe finally keeps up with current trends.

Simplified into three sub-models

Regarding the configuration categorization, Proton clearly aims for higher efficiency.

The previous Standard, Executive, Premium, and Flagship levels have been streamlined into Lite, Prime, and Prime X.

While the names have changed, the entry-level Lite trim doesn't feel cheap. It still retains an 18-inch wheelset and multi-link rear suspension, with six airbags and leather seats as standard features.

As for the mid-tier Prime, it introduces an intriguing "transparent chassis" technology, which is absolutely a lifesaver for large SUVs in narrow mall parking lots.

The top-tier Prime X, on the other hand, is entirely focused on business-class comfort. Not only does it feature the iconic six-seat captain's chairs, but now even the second row has seating ventilation functions.

Why did Proton X90 give up on 48V mild hybrid?

The popularity of the 48V mild hybrid has indeed encountered certain obstacles. Users tend to prefer either the stability of pure fuel options or the total electrification like the e.MAS 7.

For this X90 MC adjustment, it no longer insists on using "mild hybrid" as a selling point, instead returning to focus on the core priorities for family users: space, safety, and ease of use.

About the Price of the 2026 Proton X90

Although the official price has not been announced yet, referencing the current X90 price range of approximately 123,800 MYR to 152,800 MYR, considering the cost structure of the four-cylinder engine and the stacking of configurations, we estimate that the price of the MC version will remain within this range. Furthermore, the Lite version might be offered at a more competitive starting price.