2024 Proton e.Mas 7 Premium Review

The Southeast Asian electric vehicle market is rapidly expanding, and D-segment SUVs have become the focus for family users looking to upgrade. They require reasonable pricing under 200,000 MYR while expecting no compromises on features and range. The Proton e.Mas 7 Premium, as the brand's first pure electric D-segment SUV, directly targets this demand gap—the price of 123,800 MYR offers advanced features such as a 15.4-inch large screen, HUD head-up display, and a rated range of 470 kilometers. This test drive focuses on verifying: are its features truly practical? And are the range and performance suitable for everyday family needs?

From a distance, the e.Mas 7 Premium displays stable and solid body lines without overly aggressive designs. The front face features Proton's signature closed grille for its new energy vehicles, paired with through-type LED daytime running lights that enhance its recognizability when illuminated. The lower bumper uses a trapezoidal air intake design, adding a touch of sportiness. The side profile showcases the standard SUV silhouette, with a waistline stretching from the front fender to the rear. The 19-inch multi-spoke wheels are well-proportioned, and the 235/50 R19 tires are in line with the positioning of a D-segment vehicle. The rear highlights include through-type LED tail lights echoing the front design, while a dedicated “e.Mas” badge is displayed under the tailgate. The rear spoiler adopts a hidden design, achieving an overall style that is coordinated and understated.

Stepping into the car, the interior is dominated by dark tones, with the dashboard featuring soft-touch plastic and piano black trim materials. While not particularly luxurious to the touch, the craftsmanship is meticulous. The most eye-catching feature is the 15.4-inch 2.5K central control screen, which is larger than most vehicles in its class. The interface is smooth and supports CarPlay and Android Auto. Next to it is a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument panel with clear display information and switchable themes. The head-up display (HUD) comes standard, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road without looking down at the instrument cluster, which is highly practical. The seats are wrapped in leather, with six-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat and four-way power adjustment for the passenger seat. The seats provide adequate support, ensuring comfort even on long trips. The rear seats are softer, and thanks to the 2750mm wheelbase, a passenger who is 175 cm tall would still have two fists of legroom and over one fist of headroom. In terms of storage space, the front central armrest box has decent capacity, and the door storage compartments can hold two 500ml water bottles. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 461 liters, and the rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split, providing enough space for a stroller or large suitcase, making it suitable for family trips.

In terms of performance, the e.Mas 7 Premium is equipped with a front-mounted single electric motor with a maximum power of 160kW (218PS) and a maximum torque of 320N·m, with an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.1 seconds. On the road, it feels responsive and quick to start, offering a noticeable push-back sensation with light accelerator input. It’s effortless to overtake or start in cities. The vehicle provides three driving modes: Eco, Standard, and Sport. In Eco mode, the power delivery is smoother, making it suitable for daily commuting. In Sport mode, the throttle response becomes more sensitive, ideal for scenarios requiring faster acceleration. The steering wheel is relatively light, making it easy for women to handle. It offers precise directional control with no noticeable slack. The chassis uses a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension. It is tuned for comfort, absorbing most bumps when driving over speed bumps or uneven roads. Passengers in the rear seats won’t feel excessively jostled. When cornering, body roll is well-controlled, and there is no significant swaying.

In terms of range, during our test drive this time, we mainly drove on urban expressways and city roads, with a total mileage of 120 kilometers. The air conditioning was set to 24 degrees in automatic mode, and the energy recovery was set to medium. In the end, the displayed range dropped by 135 kilometers, achieving a rate of about 88%. This performance is considered above average among electric vehicles in the same class. The fast charging time is 0.3 hours (30%-80%), and charging for 15 minutes during a lunch break can replenish a significant amount of electricity. Slow charging takes 6.1 hours to fully charge, which is suitable for charging at home overnight. As for energy consumption, the electricity consumption per 100 kilometers is about 15.2kWh, which is close to the official figure, making the cost very low.

Its soundproofing performance is worth mentioning. At speeds below 60 kilometers per hour, almost no external noise can be heard inside the car; at speeds over 80 kilometers per hour, there is some tire noise, but it does not affect conversations. The energy recovery has three adjustable levels; at the highest recovery level, releasing the accelerator pedal produces a noticeable drag effect similar to braking, which is suitable for users who prefer a single-pedal driving mode. The lowest recovery level, on the other hand, feels similar to the coasting mode of fuel cars, making it easy to adapt to.

Overall, the core advantages of the Proton e.Mas 7 Premium are very clear: at a price range of around 120,000 RMB, it offers features like a 15.4-inch large screen, HUD, and 16-speaker Flyme audio system, which provide better configuration compared to competitors like the BYD Atto 3 or MG ZS EV in the same class. The range performance is decent, and the power output is sufficient for family use. Its spacious interior makes it suitable for families with multiple members. However, its interior materials and luxury feel are not as good as some joint-venture brands, but considering the price, this shortcoming is acceptable.

If you are a family user with a budget of 120,000 to 150,000 RMB and need an electric vehicle with ample space, comprehensive features, and adequate range, the e.Mas 7 Premium is a very suitable choice. It has no obvious shortcomings and performs well in all aspects, making it capable of handling daily commutes, short weekend trips, and other scenarios. Simply put, this is a "feature-oriented and practicality-first" pure electric SUV for families.