2024 Proton S70 1.5T Executive Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's C-segment car market has become increasingly fierce. Consumers not only pursue spacious interiors to meet family needs but also value a balanced performance of power and configuration. As a representative of the brand's C-segment cars, the Proton S70 1.5T Executive version enters the market with a price of RM 73,800, focusing on high cost-performance and practical configurations, attracting the attention of many family users. This time, through an actual test drive, we aim to verify the practicality of the car's space, its daily power performance, and whether its configuration matches its positioning, providing real references for potential buyers.

From the exterior, the overall style of the 2024 Proton S70 1.5T Executive leans toward stability while incorporating some youthful details. The front face adopts Proton's family-style design, featuring a large-sized grille with chrome accents for high recognition; the side profile has smooth lines, and the 4602mm length with a 2627mm wheelbase ensures an elegant silhouette. At the rear, the LED taillight assembly adopts a through-type design element, providing clear visual effects when lit; the combination of rear fog lights and reverse sensors enhances practicality. In terms of the lighting system, although the headlights are halogen, they come standard with automatic headlights and daytime running lights, which are sufficiently convenient for daily use.

Inside the car, the interior features a dark color scheme, primarily made of hard plastic materials, but the detailing is quite well-done. The center console layout is simple, with an 8-inch touchscreen centrally positioned. Its operational fluency is acceptable and supports basic multimedia functions. The multifunction steering wheel comes standard and can control volume, phone, and other functions, making it convenient for driving operations. The instrument panel adopts a backlit analog design, with clear and intuitive information display. As for the seats, the front driver’s seat supports manual height adjustment, the passenger seat is manually adjustable, and the rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding design, allowing flexible expansion of storage space. In terms of configuration, the front row features manual air conditioning, while the rear has standard air vents to enhance passenger comfort. The car is equipped with 4 speakers, sufficient for daily music needs. The inclusion of a keyless entry system also improves convenience.

Space performance is one of the core advantages of C-segment cars, and the Proton S70 1.5T Executive performs as expected in this regard. The headroom in the front row is ample for passengers around 175cm tall, with sufficient legroom for comfort. In the rear row, passengers of the same height sitting in the back will still have about two fist-lengths of legroom from the front seats, and headroom does not feel oppressive, meeting the needs of three passengers on family trips. For storage capacity, the front center armrest compartment and door storage slots offer decent volume. The trunk can normally hold 3-4 suitcases and can be further expanded by folding down the rear seats, which is suitable for carrying large items.

For power, the 1.5T turbocharged engine delivers a maximum power of 110kW (150PS) and a maximum torque of 226N·m, paired with a 7-speed DCT gearbox. During daily driving, the responsiveness at start-up is relatively brisk as the maximum torque can be delivered at 1750rpm. In urban driving, acceleration and overtaking are smooth without significant lag. Switching to highways, the power reserve remains sufficient for overtaking at speeds above 80km/h. The gearbox has a clear shifting logic and acceptable shifting speed, although there may be slight jerks during low-speed congested traffic.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear torsion beam non-independent suspension is tuned towards comfort. When dealing with bumpy city roads, the suspension can filter out most small vibrations, keeping the body stable; when going over speed bumps, although the rear suspension may have slight bouncing, the overall experience does not feel harsh. The steering wheel has moderate steering effort and decent accuracy, making daily driving quite easy; at high speeds, the steering wheel feels slightly heavier, enhancing stability. Regarding braking performance, the combination of front ventilated disc brakes and rear disc brakes offers linear braking response; during emergency braking, the vehicle remains stable without notable forward pitching.

Fuel efficiency is a key concern for family users. Based on our tests, the fuel consumption in congested city conditions is approximately 8.5L/100km, while on highways, it is about 6.2L/100km. The combined fuel consumption is around 7.3L/100km, which is relatively above average for a 1.5T model. The 50L fuel tank capacity also ensures a decent driving range.

In terms of ride comfort, during daily driving, engine noise is well-controlled at idle speed, while some wind and tire noise permeates at high speeds but does not affect normal conversation. The seats have moderate firmness, preventing significant fatigue during long drives. The air conditioning cooling performance is excellent, and the rear air vents quickly lower the temperature in the back, enhancing the comfort for rear passengers.

In terms of safety features, the 1.5T Executive version comes standard with six airbags (dual front airbags, front side airbags, and front/rear curtain airbags), vehicle stability control, ABS brakes, a full set of seat belt reminders, ISO FIX child seat anchors, etc. These comprehensive safety features meet the needs of family users.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2024 Proton S70 1.5T Executive are: first, practical space to meet family travel needs; second, adequate power for smooth daily driving; third, balanced configurations such as keyless entry, rear air conditioning, and six airbags which stand out among vehicles in the same price range; fourth, its affordability, priced at RM 73,800, offers a clear value advantage compared to similar Japanese and Korean models.

When compared to competitors like the Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8E or Honda Civic 1.5T S, the Proton S70 1.5T Executive excels in space and features while being RM 10,000-15,000 cheaper, making it an ideal choice for families on a budget but seeking practical space and configurations. However, it does lag behind Japanese vehicles in terms of brand residual value and craftsmanship details.

In summary, the 2024 Proton S70 1.5T Executive is a well-balanced and practical family sedan, suitable for users who prioritize space, configuration, and value for money. It is especially ideal for three-person households or consumers who often need to transport family members. If your budget is between RM 70,000-80,000 and you are seeking spaciousness and practical features, this car is a good choice.