Proton X90: The Strong Choice for the Malaysian Market

In the Malaysian automotive market, the Proton X90, since its launch in 2023, has quickly attracted the attention of numerous consumers with its unique advantages. As an important model under the Proton brand, it not only represents the brand's advancements in technology and design but also meets the diverse needs of local consumers for practicality, performance, and safety.

Model Positioning and Price Range

The Proton X90 is positioned as a D-segment luxury SUV, primarily targeting mid-to-high-end family users. Its price range is from 123,800 MYR to 152,800 MYR, with specific prices fluctuating based on model configurations and promotional activities. Compared to imported models in the same class, this pricing strategy offers a certain cost advantage. Additionally, leveraging Proton's local after-sales service network in Malaysia, subsequent maintenance costs are relatively low. Within this price range, consumers can enjoy a spacious, well-equipped SUV with advanced technology, making it highly attractive to Malaysian consumers who prioritize value for money.

Exterior and Dimensions Design

From the exterior, the Proton X90 features sleek and robust body lines, showcasing the aura of a luxury SUV. The spacious body offers ample interior space, making it particularly suitable for the needs of large Malaysian families. Even the third-row seats provide a relatively practical seating experience for passengers. Additionally, the width of the X90 ensures vehicle stability during high-speed driving, and it handles tropical regions with frequent rain more confidently. It is worth mentioning that, despite its large body size, the 200 mm ground clearance allows it to navigate common rural or lightly unpaved roads in Malaysia effectively. At the same time, the 5.7-meter turning radius ensures it maintains good maneuverability in parking lots or narrow roads, fully considering the urban environment in Malaysia.

Powertrain and Performance​

The Proton X90 is equipped across the range with a mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) system, combining a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine and a 48V belt-driven starter generator. This system delivers a combined output of around 190 horsepower and a peak torque of approximately 300 Nm, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). According to Proton's official claims, this mild hybrid system improves fuel efficiency by up to 15% compared to models without the 48V system. The X90 achieves a fuel consumption of just 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers. In real-world driving, this powertrain configuration meets the needs of daily commuting and long-distance travel. The power delivery is smooth and responsive, demonstrating excellent fuel efficiency, which aligns with Malaysian consumers' dual expectations for vehicle performance and energy savings.

Interior Space and Seating Layout​

The interior space is thoughtfully designed, with all variants except the flagship model featuring a 7-seater layout, while the flagship is equipped with a 6-seater configuration. The second row consists of a pair of independent captain's seats instead of traditional bench seating. This design not only enhances seating comfort but also adds a sense of luxury to the interior. However, this seat arrangement is not available in the Chinese Geely Haoyue/Okavango (the X90's original model). The spacious interior allows passengers to stretch comfortably, and both headroom and legroom are abundant, ensuring minimal fatigue even during long-distance travel.

Interior Design and Technology Features

In terms of interior, the X90 showcases a blend of luxury and technological sophistication. The dashboard is equipped with a 10-inch LCD instrument panel and a 12.3-inch large touchscreen infotainment display. The screens offer clear visuals and smooth operation, providing drivers with abundant vehicle information and convenient entertainment features. It is worth noting that although this large screen is highly functional, it unfortunately does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The vehicle is also equipped with a remote engine start function, allowing drivers to start the engine and turn on the air conditioning via the key fob or the Proton Link app to pre-adjust the interior temperature in preparation for Malaysia's hot weather. Starting from the Executive variant, the car also features a tire pressure monitoring system, enabling drivers to check tire pressure at any time to ensure driving safety.

Body Color Options

When it comes to body colors, the Proton X90 offers consumers a wide range of choices. There are six unique paint colors available as follows: the pure and elegant Snow White, which reflects solar heat and is ideal for Malaysia's hot climate while making the vehicle appear larger; the Armour Silver with a sense of technology and modernity, which is classic, easy to maintain, and resistant to dirt in daily use; the steady and understated Jet Grey, which not only highlights the luxurious feel of the X90 as a high-end SUV but also proves to be very practical; the Cinnamon Brown with a unique champagne tone that exhibits rich golden layers under sunlight, giving the vehicle a sophisticated look; the vibrant and attention-grabbing Ruby Red, which brings dynamic energy to the X90 and aligns well with local consumers’ aesthetic preferences; and the fresh and elegant Marine Blue, which displays rich textures under varying light and shadow, offering highly attractive visual appeal. These meticulously formulated metallic and pearl paints not only deliver outstanding visual effects but also incorporate advanced coating technology to effectively resist corrosion from Malaysia's hot and rainy climate.

Overall, the Proton X90 has become a popular choice for many consumers in the Malaysian market when selecting an SUV due to its reasonable price, outstanding performance, abundant features, and reliable safety performance. It meets the multifaceted needs of Malaysian families for vehicle space, practicality, comfort, and safety, while also delivering notable performance in terms of fuel economy and exterior design. If you are planning to purchase an SUV in the near future, consider visiting a Proton showroom to personally test drive the Proton X90. It is sure to surprise you.