2025 Proton e.Mas 5 Premium Review

In the increasingly competitive C-Segment electric vehicle market in Malaysia, consumers are becoming more and more clear about their demand for "high cost-effectiveness" and "practical configurations"—hoping that electric vehicles can cover daily commuting and short weekend trips without compromising on safety and intelligent features. The 2025 Proton e.Mas 5 Premium targets precisely this demand. With a price of RM 69,800, standard L2-level driver assistance, and a 16-inch central control screen, it has become an unmissable option in the same price segment. In this test drive, we focus on verifying: Can its actual range meet daily usage needs? How practical are the configurations? Is its dynamic performance suitable for urban commuting?

Upon first encountering the e.Mas 5 Premium, its overall design leans towards a simple family-oriented style without overly exaggerated lines. The front features a closed grille, with the Proton brand logo embedded in the center. The LED headlights on both sides are connected by a thin chrome strip that enhances the visual width. The lower front bumper retains a trapezoidal air intake, with L-shaped daytime running lights on the sides for good recognition. The side profile features smooth lines with a waistline extending from the A-pillar to the rear. The 16-inch wheels paired with 205/60 R16 tires align with its family-oriented positioning. Hidden door handles reduce wind resistance while enhancing the refined appearance. At the rear, the LED taillights also adopt a penetrating design, echoing the front; a black protective panel at the lower edge of the bumper adds a touch of crossover style. The lighting system features LED as standard across all models, along with automatic headlights and daytime running lights. The brightness at night is sufficient, exhibiting strong practicality.

Inside, the interior design emphasizes simplicity. The center console is wrapped in soft-touch materials and adorned with silver trim, providing a decent tactile experience. The most striking feature in the central control area is the 16-inch FHD touchscreen, which offers high screen resolution and smooth operation. It supports the Sound Plus function and is paired with six speakers, achieving above-average sound quality within the same price range. The instrument cluster consists of an 8.8-inch LED digital display that clearly shows vehicle speed, range, and driving assistance status with a simple and easy-to-read interface. As for features, Keyless Operation, automatic air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, power-folding side mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers are all standard, enhancing daily convenience. The front seats offer manual adjustment, and the cushioning is moderately soft, ensuring comfortable long-duration seating.

Interior space is adequate for its C-Segment positioning. The vehicle’s dimensions measure 4135mm×1805mm×1580mm, with a wheelbase of 2650mm. A front-row passenger with a height of 175cm will have a headroom of a fist and two fingers, alongside ample legroom. In the back row, a passenger of the same height will have a headroom of one fist and legroom of two fists, while the nearly flat rear floor ensures that a maximum load of three passengers will not feel overly cramped. The trunk has a regular capacity of 375L, which expands to 1320L when the rear seats are folded down, accommodating items such as baby strollers or two 28-inch suitcases, catering well to family short-trip needs. As for storage features, door bins can hold two bottles, the central armrest box provides sufficient depth, and there is a wireless charging area in the front row, ensuring excellent practicality.

In terms of power, it is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 85kW (116PS) and a maximum torque of 150N·m, featuring a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout. There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Eco mode, power output is smooth, suitable for urban commuting, and the accelerator response is slightly slower; in Normal mode, the power is moderate with light starts, offering smooth 0-60km/h acceleration and no pressure when overtaking in the city; in Sport mode, power response becomes quicker, and the official 0-100km/h acceleration is listed at 5.9 seconds, which performs well among electric vehicles in the same price range. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson + rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension can filter out most vibrations, and the body does not exhibit significant bouncing. At high speeds, the chassis is stable, and during turns, body roll is controlled within a reasonable range without any sense of instability.

In the range and charging tests, the official pure electric range is 325km. We tested under 50% urban driving and 50% highway conditions with the air conditioning at 24°C on automatic mode, and achieved about 85% of the range, covering an actual 276km. This is sufficient for a week's commute (50km/day). The fast-charging time is 0.35 hours (about 21 minutes) to charge from 30% to 80%, while a full charge with slow charging takes 3.9 hours. The charging efficiency meets household needs. In terms of energy consumption, the city performance is about 13kWh/100km, while on the highway it is about 15kWh/100km. Overall, energy consumption is well controlled.

Driving assistance configurations are a highlight, with all configurations equipped with Level 2 assisted driving features, including ACC adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, lane departure warning, active braking, and forward collision warning. During actual usage, the ACC performs well in maintaining stable following distance at highway speeds with smooth speed adjustments. The lane departure warning is sensitive and timely, effectively alerting the driver. The 360-degree parking camera has high clarity, and combined with rear parking sensors, parking becomes easy for beginners. Regarding noise control, wind and tire noise are nearly inaudible below 60km/h. Above 80km/h, wind noise increases slightly, but it does not affect conversations inside the car. The energy recovery system offers three adjustable levels, with the highest level providing moderate recovery strength without a noticeable dragging sensation, making it suitable for daily use.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2025 Proton e.Mas 5 Premium are its "full configuration" and "outstanding cost-effectiveness"—with a price of RM 69,800, you can get features like Level 2 assisted driving, a 16-inch central control screen, and 6 airbags. Competing models in the same price range (such as the BYD Dolphin and Aion Y Younger) either have fewer features or are priced higher. Its dynamic performance leans towards comfort, the range meets daily needs, and the space is suitable for family use.

The target audience is clear: families with a budget of around RM 70,000 who value features and practicality, or young professionals who have recently started working and need a dual-purpose car for commuting and family use. If you do not require ultra-long range and care more about everyday convenience and safety, the e.Mas 5 Premium would be a great choice.

Overall, the 2025 Proton e.Mas 5 Premium is a "well-balanced and without shortcomings" household electric vehicle. It attracts consumers with its high cost-performance ratio and rich features, standing out in the same price range. It is a reliable choice for family commuting and short trips.