2024 Proton X70 1.5 TGDi Premium X Review

The C-Segment SUV market has been heating up locally in recent years, with families becoming more clear about their needs for space, features, and value for money—they want something that meets their daily commuting economy while also being practical for weekend outings. The 2024 Proton X70 1.5 TGDi Premium X, as the top-tier version of the series, returns this time with improved smart configurations and optimized details, aiming to be the "most balanced family SUV in its price range." Our test drive objective is simple: to verify whether it can truly strike the perfect balance between features, space, and driving experience, and provide local consumers with a clear point of reference.

Looking at the front, the design of the new X70 continues with the family-style "infinite expansion" grille, but the chrome trim within the grille has been adjusted to be finer, paired with sharp LED headlight groups on both sides, making the overall recognition higher than the old model. The side profile features smooth lines, with a waistline running from the front fender to the taillights, tightening the visual focus of the rear. The 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, which are relatively large among peers, paired with 225/55 R19 tires, give the side proportions a harmonious look. The most noticeable change at the rear is the taillight group, which uses a smoked LED light source inside. When lit, it presents a coherent "L"-shaped light strip, while the silver skid plate below the rear bumper adds a touch of off-road vibe. The overall exterior design avoids excessive flashiness, making it appealing and suitable for family aesthetics.

Once seated inside, the first thing that catches the eye is the 12.3-inch central control screen, which occupies the central position of the dashboard. The screen resolution and touch sensitivity are both good, supporting Bluetooth, CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. In terms of interior materials, the upper part of the dashboard and the inner side of the door panels are covered with soft-touch plastic materials, accented with silver trims, which improve the texture compared to the previous model. The configuration of the top-tier version is quite generous: the front row has a 6-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat and a 4-way electrically adjustable passenger seat; the rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and a USB charging port; dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a panoramic sunroof, and a 6-speaker sound system are all standard. The seats are wrapped in leather, with cushioning of moderate firmness, ensuring comfort even during long periods of sitting.

Space performance is one of X70's strengths, with dimensions measuring 4526mm in length, 1831mm in width, and 1694mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2670mm. After adjusting the front seats to a comfortable position, a passenger with a height of 175cm still has 1.5 fist spaces left for headroom; the rear row provides more than two fists of legroom and a fist of headroom, ensuring even three adults sitting in the back won’t feel cramped. In terms of storage capabilities, the door storage compartments can hold two large bottles of mineral water, the center armrest box has moderate capacity, and the rear center armrest comes with cup holders. The trunk has a standard storage capacity of 512L, which can be expanded to about 1100L by folding the rear seats down, sufficient for carrying strollers or suitcases.

As for performance, it is equipped with a 1.5T three-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering a maximum power of 177 PS and a peak torque of 255 N·m, paired with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. During daily driving, the power response in the low-rev range is quite brisk, with a smooth start and easy acceleration up to 60km/h; when overtaking at medium to high speeds, pressing the accelerator deeply causes the transmission to quickly downshift, delivering smooth power output. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 9.8 seconds, which fully meets the needs of family cars. There are three driving modes to choose from: Eco, Standard, and Sport. In Eco mode, throttle response becomes gentler, suitable for city commutes; in Sport mode, the transmission delays shifting, maintaining the revs in a higher range for more adequate power reserves.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is relatively light, with decent precision, making it easy for women to drive without feeling strained. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned more towards comfort. When passing speed bumps or on bumpy roads, the suspension filters out most minor vibrations, and the body doesn't have significant jolts. At high speeds, the chassis remains very stable, and the car doesn't feel light when cruising at 120 km/h; when cornering, the body roll is kept within a reasonable range, without the typical "boat-like" sensation common in SUVs. We conducted a fuel consumption test, and it showed that the fuel consumption is about 8.5L per 100 km under congested city conditions, dropping to about 6.8L during highway cruising, with a combined average of 7.3L. This is consistent with the official data and is considered fuel-efficient for a vehicle weighing 1.6 tons.

One of the core advantages of the top-spec version is its safety features. In addition to basic configurations like 6 airbags, ABS, and ESP, it comes standard with intelligent driving assistance features such as ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane change assist, and a 360-degree panoramic camera system. In real-life experiences, the ACC performs well in maintaining a stable following distance on highways; the lane departure warning provides alerts via steering wheel vibrations, and the automatic emergency braking system responds promptly when obstacles are detected ahead, greatly enhancing everyday driving safety.

The comfort details for driving and riding are well-executed. Wind noise and tire noise are effectively controlled during highway cruising, so conversations inside the car are not affected. The engine emits a slight noise at higher RPMs, but it is not disruptive. The seats provide adequate support, ensuring no discomfort or back pain during long journeys. Notably, the panoramic sunroof features electrically controlled sunshades that, when opened, increase the interior lighting, which is particularly appreciated by family users.

Overall, the 2024 Proton X70 1.5 TGDi Premium X clearly boasts significant advantages: it offers the most comprehensive features in its price range, ample interior space, adequate power with economical fuel consumption, and well-rounded safety features. Compared to its competitors like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, its price is more affordable while offering better configurations, making it highly cost-effective. This vehicle is particularly suited for families looking for a well-rounded SUV — it provides enough space for children and elderly family members, comes with an extensive range of intelligent configurations for added convenience, and has low fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

If you are a local family user looking for an SUV that "meets all your needs," the 2024 Proton X70 top-spec version is definitely worth considering. This vehicle has no significant shortcomings and is a family SUV that is worry-free to use, comfortable to ride in, and reliable to drive.