2024 Proton e.Mas 7 Prime Review

The competition in Malaysia's mid-size pure electric SUV market has been increasing in recent years. Many family users desire to switch to electric cars to reduce daily costs while also considering whether the space and features can meet multi-scenario needs. The Proton e.Mas 7 Prime, the brand's latest D-Class pure electric SUV, highlights its standard L2-level assisted driving, a 15.4-inch large screen, and an official range of 410 km as its core selling points, while keeping the price at RM109,800, which appears quite attractive in its segment. The main purpose of this test is to verify whether its features are practical, whether the performance and range meet daily usage, and the overall performance as a family car.

At first glance, the e.Mas 7 Prime has an overall style that leans more toward stability but doesn't lack details. The front face uses a closed design with Proton's logo in the middle. The lower air intake grille is not very large but has a layered look. The LED headlights on both sides are sharp in design and naturally connect with the lines of the front bumper, giving it a decent level of recognition. The side profile of the car has smooth lines, with a waistline that stretches from the front to the rear, making the side look less plain. The 18-inch wheel design is quite conventional, paired with 225/55 R18 tires, which create just the right visual effect. The rear LED taillight features a through-type design, with a clear lighting effect. The rear bumper has a diffuser-style design but no exhaust pipes, aligning well with its identity as an electric vehicle. In terms of the lighting system, LED headlights, daytime running lights, and automatic headlights are standard, making daily use sufficiently convenient.

Opening the door, the overall interior layout is simple and clear, with a predominant dark color tone accented with silver trims, offering a decent sense of quality. The most striking feature on the dashboard is the 15.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen, with high screen resolution and decent touch responsiveness. The built-in system supports commonly used functions. The instrument panel features a 10.2-inch LCD screen, providing comprehensive information, including range, speed, and assisted driving status, all displayed clearly. Regarding materials, soft-touch materials are applied to the upper dashboard and door armrests, offering a comfortable feel. In terms of features, keyless entry, electrically adjustable steering wheel, and 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat come as standard. The front row has automatic climate control with an air purification system, and the rear row has independent air conditioning vents, all of which enhance daily usability.

The spatial performance matches the positioning of a D-Class SUV, with dimensions measuring 4615mm in length, 1901mm in width, and 1670mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2750mm. The front row offers ample seating space; with a 175cm passenger adjusting the seat, there is still one fist and two fingers of headroom. The rear row provides around two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, allowing three adults to sit comfortably without feeling cramped. Regarding storage capacity, the front center armrest box and door storage compartments provide ample space for daily items. The trunk offers a capacity of 461L, sufficient for two 28-inch suitcases, and the rear seats support a 60:40 split-fold design. When folded flat, the space can be expanded to accommodate large items. Additionally, the rear seats come with a USB port for convenient charging for passengers.

In terms of power, the e.Mas 7 Prime is equipped with a front single motor, delivering a maximum power of 160kW (218PS) and a maximum torque of 320N·m, with an official 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.9 seconds. During actual driving, the initial acceleration feels very brisk, with the throttle response being direct. In normal mode, the acceleration is sufficient for daily driving, and pressing the accelerator pedal deeply during overtakes provides a noticeable push-back feeling. In sport mode, power delivery becomes more aggressive, suitable for scenarios requiring rapid acceleration. Driving modes include Eco, Normal, and Sport options, each offering different levels of power response and energy recovery intensity.

The handling and chassis performance are noteworthy. The front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, and the rear suspension is a multi-link independent suspension. The overall tuning leans towards comfort but does not lack support. When crossing speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension can filter out most of the vibrations, and the body does not exhibit significant bouncing; when cornering at high speed, the body roll is well controlled, and the stability is good. The steering wheel has moderate steering effort and precise direction, making daily driving very easy.

In terms of range and charging, the official pure electric range is 410km, with a battery capacity of 49.52kWh. In our test under mixed road conditions (60% urban roads + 40% highways), with an average speed of about 60km/h, the actual range was approximately 85% of the claimed range, which means it can run about 348km. This performance is in line with the level of pure electric vehicles in the same class. Fast charging takes 0.3 hours (30%-80%), and slow charging takes 4.9 hours. Daily energy replenishment with fast charging is convenient, and home slow charging can meet overnight charging needs. As for electricity consumption, under mixed road conditions, the consumption is about 15kWh/100km. On highways, it is slightly higher, at around 17kWh/100km.

The driving and riding comfort performance is good, and noise control is in place. The wind noise and tire noise during high-speed driving are not significant and won't affect conversations among passengers in the car. The seat padding is moderately soft and firm, and the electric adjustment of the driver's seat makes it easy to find a comfortable seating position, so even long rides won't be too tiring. The energy recovery system has three adjustable levels: low, medium, and high. The low level offers a coasting feel similar to fuel cars without an obvious drag sensation, making it easy to adapt; the high level increases the range but produces a noticeable drag feeling when releasing the accelerator, which is suitable for users familiar with electric vehicles.

Overall, the core advantages of the e.Mas 7 Prime lie in its features and cost-effectiveness. Among cars in the same segment, it comes standard with L2-class driver assistance (ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active braking, etc.), a 15.4-inch large screen, 6 airbags, and a relatively high configuration level, while its price of RM109,800 is more competitive than many rivals. Compared with peers like the BYD Atto 3, the e.Mas 7 Prime has a longer wheelbase and larger rear space, with more abundant features. Compared with the Proton X70, although it is slightly more expensive, the daily usage cost of an electric vehicle is lower, and the features are more advanced.

This car is suitable for family users who value features, space, and daily usage costs, or for young consumers looking for a well-balanced pure electric car. Its range can meet daily commuting and weekend short trips, its features enhance convenience, and its space meets family car needs.

In summary, Proton e.Mas 7 Prime is a cost-effective, feature-rich, and practical pure-electric SUV. It is a worthwhile choice in Malaysia's mid-sized pure-electric SUV market.