2019 Proton Exora 1.6 Executive CVT Review

In Malaysia's 7-seater MPV market, there is no shortage of affordable and practical options, but the Proton Exora has always been a key consideration for many family users—after all, it was one of the earlier models from a local brand to deeply explore this niche market segment. The 2019 Exora 1.6 Executive CVT, as a mid-trim version, will be evaluated this time mainly for its space performance, power adequacy, and whether its configuration can meet the needs of daily family use. Let’s see how competitive it is in the same price range (around RM60,000).

First, let’s look at the exterior. Overall, it continues the classic MPV silhouette of the Exora, with relatively rounded lines and not much aggressive design, taking a more stable and reliable approach. The front face features headlights with a combination of Halogen and LED, and the addition of LED daytime running lights enhances the front end's recognition significantly. However, the high beam still uses halogen, providing average lighting effects at night. The front grille is adorned with chrome strips, connecting both headlights and visually widening the front. On the side, 16-inch tires with a specification of 205/55R16 are fairly proportional. The door handles are designed in body color, and the side mirrors support electric folding, which is very convenient when parking. At the rear, the taillight design is relatively simple and naturally connects with the body lines. The lower part of the rear bumper doesn’t have much decoration, giving an overall pragmatic impression.

Stepping inside, the interior style mainly features dark tones, with a dashboard layout that is clear and easy to use. In terms of materials, most areas are hard plastic, but fabric wrapping is used on door panel armrests and seat sections, which does not feel too rough to the touch. The instrument cluster is of the LCD Segmented type, capable of displaying basic information such as RPM, speed, and fuel level, and it is clear and easy to read. The center console does not come with a large screen but retains traditional physical buttons. Though it doesn't exude much tech-savviness, it is straightforward to operate and minimizes errors during driving. In terms of features, this trim comes standard with Keyless Operation door locks, allowing you to unlock and start the car without taking out the key, which is quite convenient. The front row has manual air conditioning, while the rear row has independent air vents, enabling quick cooling even when fully seated during summer. The inclusion of a 220V/230V power outlet is highly practical, allowing you to charge laptops or other devices during long trips. Other features such as electrically foldable side mirrors, front fog lights, and sunshades are also included, covering most daily usage needs.

Space performance is one of the key selling points of the Exora. The vehicle's dimensions are 4610mm in length, 1809mm in width, and 1691mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2730mm. This size belongs to the medium level among 7-seater MPVs. The front driver’s seat supports manual adjustment, and for a passenger with a height of 175cm, there is plenty of headroom and legroom, without feeling cramped. The second row features 60:40 split-folding seats, providing ample legroom; even with three adults seated, it doesn’t feel too crowded, and the middle passenger has space for their feet. The third row has 50:50 split-folding seats, which are relatively compact, making them suitable for children or adults on short trips, though it might be tiring for long journeys. The trunk space is 132L when all seven seats are upright, which is enough for a few carry-on suitcases. If the third-row seats are folded down, the capacity increases considerably, making it easy to store large items like strollers or suitcases. In terms of storage space, storage compartments on the door panels, under the center console, and elsewhere can accommodate small items, offering decent practicality.

The powertrain of this car is equipped with a 1.6L turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 140PS, a maximum power output at 5000 rpm, and a maximum torque at 2000 rpm, paired with a CVT transmission. In actual driving, the power response when starting is relatively smooth, without a significant push-back sensation, but it is sufficient for daily urban commuting. When the engine reaches 2000 rpm, the turbocharger kicks in, and there is a noticeable increase in power. When overtaking, stepping on the accelerator hard causes the transmission to quickly adjust the gear ratio, and the power delivery is quite linear without noticeable jerks. The driving mode only includes a normal mode, with no sport or eco modes available, but the CVT transmission's smoothness is excellent, making it suitable for family driving habits. In terms of handling, the steering wheel has a moderate weight and is fairly precise, making it very easy to drive daily. The front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension is not specified but performs rather well in practice. It effectively absorbs most shocks when encountering speed bumps or bumpy roads in the city, ensuring rear passengers don't feel significant bumps. During cornering, the body roll is not too severe, and stability is quite acceptable. As for fuel consumption, we drove equally in both urban and highway conditions, resulting in an average fuel consumption of about 8.5L/100km. This result ranks around the middle level among seven-seater MPVs—it’s not particularly fuel-efficient but still acceptable.

In terms of driving comfort, the noise control of this car is average. At high speeds, wind noise and tire noise become fairly noticeable, especially exceeding 100km/h, and rear passengers may need to slightly raise their voices to communicate. The seats are made of fabric material, with average cushioning but decent support, making long-distance travel not overly tiring. There is no energy recovery configuration since it is a fuel-powered vehicle. For braking, both the front and rear braking systems use ventilated discs. The braking effect is quite linear, providing confidence as the brakes respond proportionally to the pressure applied.

To summarize, the core advantages of the 2019 Proton Exora 1.6 Executive CVT lie in its practical space, balanced features, and affordability. Compared to similarly priced competitors such as the Perodua Alza, the Exora offers a larger body size and a more practical seven-seater space. In terms of features, additions like Keyless Operation, rear air-conditioning, and a 220V power outlet are significant plus points. However, it does have some shortcomings, such as the interior material being mostly hard plastic, lack of a modern tech feel, the relatively cramped third-row seating, which may be less comfortable on long journeys, and the wind noise control at high speeds needing improvement.

This car is suitable for family users who value practical space and cost-effectiveness, especially those who often need to carry family members and have a budget of around RM 60,000. Its space is sufficient, features meet daily needs, and its performance is capable for both urban and highway trips. If you are looking for an affordable, spacious, well-equipped seven-seater car, the 2019 Proton Exora 1.6 Executive CVT is worth considering.