2019 Proton Iriz 1.6 VVT Premium CVT Review

In Malaysia's B-segment hatchback market, consumers have always had clear expectations for value for money—they want something sufficient for daily commuting without compromising on safety and features. As a representative model of the local brand, the 2019 Proton Iriz 1.6 VVT Premium CVT version directly targets this demand. It is packed with practical features like 8 airbags, keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen, coupled with a 5-year or 150,000 km warranty. Priced at RM50,700, it is indeed appealing. In this test drive, my main goal was to see if its actual performance matches the highlights on the spec sheet and whether it is balanced enough as a family car.

From the exterior, the 2019 Iriz adopts a simple and practical design, without excessive flashy lines. The front features moderately sized chrome trim connecting the headlights on both sides. While the recognition isn’t particularly high, it is cohesive. The headlight assembly combines halogen and LED bulbs, and the automatic headlight function comes in handy for daily use, especially when entering tunnels where it turns on automatically. The side of the car has straight lines, with a wheelbase of 2555mm, which is average in its class. The tire specification of 185/55 R15 leans towards comfort, and the wheel design is relatively conventional. The rear design is compact, with a standard look for the taillights and rear bumper. Overall, this exterior design is of the "endurable" kind, suitable for users who prioritize practicality over individuality.

Stepping inside, the interior layout is quite straightforward, free of complex buttons. The center console is mainly made from hard plastic, but the joint gaps are well-controlled, and it doesn't feel cheap to the touch. The 7-inch touchscreen serves as the core configuration of the interior, supporting the Sound Plus feature. The operation smoothness is average but sufficient for daily Bluetooth connections and music playback. A multifunction steering wheel is standard, with button layouts that are user-friendly and easy to operate without looking. The instrument cluster features a backlit analog display, with clear visibility for information such as RPM, speed, and fuel level.

In terms of space, a 175cm-tall passenger in the front seat, after adjusting the seat, still has a fistful of headroom left. The driver’s seat supports height adjustment, allowing a comfortably adjusted seating position. The rear space is average; a passenger of the same height sitting in the back has about two fists of legroom from the front seats and one fist of headroom, which is adequate for daily family use. The rear seats are equipped with air-conditioning vents and ISO FIX mounts, showing thoughtful attention to detail. The trunk capacity is 215L, and folding down the rear seats (60:40 split) expands the space, which is sufficient to fit a baby stroller or small suitcases.

For the powertrain, the 1.6L naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum power of 109PS and maximum torque output at 4000rpm, paired with a CVT transmission. The power delivery during start-up is relatively smooth, suitable for city commuting. When the accelerator is pressed hard for speeding up, the CVT transmission keeps the rpm steady, offering a linear power output but lacking a significant push-back feeling. Switching to sport mode increases throttle sensitivity, giving more confidence during overtaking. The official combined fuel consumption is 8.36L/100km, and during the actual test drive, the city mileage was around 9-10L/100km, while it dropped to about 7.5L/100km on the highway. The fuel economy is as expected.

The handling and chassis performance lean towards comfort. The steering wheel has moderate resistance, with minimal play, making it very easy to operate on a daily basis. The front MacPherson independent suspension handles bumpy city roads well, filtering out most minor vibrations, and the impact over speed bumps isn’t particularly strong. When cornering, the body roll is average, but for a family car, this performance is sufficient. The brake feedback is very linear, providing braking power in direct proportion to pedal pressure, and the braking distance is average within its class.

In terms of driving comfort, noise control is well-done. During low-speed urban driving, tire noise and engine noise are not particularly noticeable. At high speeds, wind noise is slightly louder but does not interfere with normal conversations. The seats are well-padded and moderately supportive, so long-distance rides won't feel tiring. Features like keyless entry and start, as well as electrically folding side mirrors, are very convenient for everyday use, significantly improving practicality.

To sum up, the core strengths of the 2019 Proton Iriz 1.6 VVT Premium CVT are its features and safety. Features like 8 airbags, keyless entry, and automatic headlights stand out among models in its class (such as the Perodua Myvi and Honda Jazz), providing excellent value for money. Its overall performance is balanced, with no obvious shortcomings, making it suitable for users who prioritize safety features and need a reliable everyday commuting and family-use car. This car is especially worth considering for consumers with a budget of around 50,000 MYR who are looking for a local brand with warranty. If you're not pursuing high-performance driving but simply need a reliable, well-equipped family hatchback, this car is a strong contender.