2024 Proton S70 1.5T Flagship Review

The C-segment sedan market in Malaysia has always been a focal point for family users and young professionals, needing to balance daily commuting practicality with certain features and comfort. As a flagship model under Proton, the 2024 S70 1.5T Flagship version, with its 150PS power and extensive safety features, captured much attention upon its launch. We obtained the actual car for a one-week test drive to specifically evaluate its performance in city commutes, highway cruising, and family travel scenarios to determine if this top-tier model is worth purchasing.

At first glance, the exterior design of the 2024 S70 Flagship is eye-catching. The overall style leans towards being steady yet youthful, with a large vertical-slat front grille complemented by sharp LED headlights on both sides, offering high recognizability. The side profile features sleek lines, and the waistline stretching from the hood to the rear prevents the sides from looking plain. The 16-inch wheels, while not large in size, are well-proportioned to the body and adequate for daily use. The rear design is relatively simple, with LED taillights using a connected design, which provides good visibility when illuminated at night. The lower segment has rear fog lamps and chrome trim, adding a touch of refinement. The lighting system is a highlight, as the car features all-around LED lighting with ample brightness. The automatic headlight function responds promptly when entering and exiting tunnels, enhancing practicality.

Inside the car, the first thing noticeable is the texture of the interior. The dashboard is wrapped in soft materials, with silver trim accents that create a simple and luxurious ambiance. The central control area is organized clearly, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen taking center stage. It is equipped with the Atlas OS system, which operates smoothly and supports voice control as well as smartphone connectivity, making daily usage very convenient. The instrument cluster is fully digital, displaying abundant information such as speed, fuel consumption, and navigation, with smooth interface transitions. The seats are a highlight, with both the driver and front passenger seats offering electric adjustment. The support from the backrest and cushion is commendable, ensuring comfort even during long drives. The rear space meets the standards for a C-segment sedan, with a wheelbase of 2,627mm providing approximately two fistfuls of legroom for passengers around 175cm tall, and adequate headroom as well. The rear row is equipped with air-conditioning vents and USB ports, and the low center floor hump ensures that three passengers can sit comfortably without feeling cramped. As for storage, the front center armrest box and door storage compartments have ample capacity. The trunk offers enough space to fit three 20-inch suitcases, and the rear seats can be split 60:40 and folded down, providing flexibility for larger items.

In terms of performance, the 1.5T turbocharged engine delivers a maximum output of 150PS and a peak torque of 226N·m, paired with a 7-speed DCT gearbox. During daily driving, the start is brisk, with responsive throttle control. When driving on city roads, the low-end torque is sufficient, and there’s no sluggishness when starting at traffic lights. Switching to sport mode enhances throttle sensitivity, making the acceleration punchier and providing a noticeable push-back effect. When overtaking and pressing the accelerator harder, the gearbox downshifts actively and ensures smooth power delivery. On highways, the engine maintains a rotation speed of around 2,000 rpm, with excellent noise control — wind and tire noises are minimal. The suspension is a front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam setup, tuned for comfort. Over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension absorbs most small vibrations, ensuring minimal body movement. During cornering, the steering is precise with minimal slack, and body roll is kept within a reasonable range, providing an overall stable driving experience. Braking performance is impressive, with a moderate pedal travel and linear braking power; the car remains stable during emergency stops. In our fuel consumption test, the city driving consumed about 7.2 liters per 100 kilometers, while highway driving consumed about 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers. For a 1.5T model, this performance ranks above average in its class.

Safety configuration is one of the core advantages of this car. The car is equipped with 6 airbags, including front and rear head curtain airbags, along with basic configurations such as tire pressure monitoring and vehicle stability control, ensuring passive safety. In terms of active safety, the ACC adaptive cruise control is very useful on highways, as it can automatically follow the car ahead and maintain a safe distance, reducing driver fatigue. The lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking system are responsive, and in congested urban areas, the forward collision warning will provide timely alerts, while the autonomous emergency braking function has been proven effective in tests to avoid low-speed rear-end collisions. The 360-degree panoramic camera features high clarity, and along with the front and rear parking sensors, parking becomes easy even for beginners.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2024 Proton S70 1.5T Flagship are evident: rich safety configurations, comfortable driving experience, and balanced performance. Compared to competitors like the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla in the same class, it has more advantages in configuration, especially with features like electric seats, a fully digital instrument panel, and active safety systems, which are usually optional or only available on higher trims in similarly priced competitors. The target audience is also clear—users who prioritize family travel safety and comfort, or young professionals looking for a well-rounded vehicle for daily commuting and long-distance travel. If your budget is around 90,000 MYR and you're looking for a well-equipped, practical, and user-friendly C-segment sedan, this car is worth considering.