2025 Proton e.Mas 5 Prime Review

Recently, the selection of entry-level models in the C-segment of Malaysia's electric vehicle market has been increasing. However, most models either have reduced features or are priced beyond the budget of ordinary families. As Proton's entry-level product in the pure electric segment, the 2025 e.Mas 5 Prime focuses on "high cost-performance + practical features," claiming to meet daily commuting and short-distance family needs at an affordable price. In this test drive, we aimed to verify: Is its range sufficient? Are the features truly practical? And does its dynamic performance meet the comfort requirements of family users?

From an exterior perspective, the e.Mas 5 Prime adopts a simple and practical design, avoiding overly flashy elements. The front features a closed grille, paired with halogen headlights on both sides and a through-type daytime running light, offering good recognition; the side profile features straight lines, with 15-inch tires and 205/65 specifications ensuring everyday driving comfort; the rear is equipped with LED taillights that align with the front design, along with well-organized rear fog lights and reflectors, resulting in an overall look that aligns with the aesthetics of family users. In terms of details, power-folding side mirrors and rain-sensing wipers come as standard, making daily usage convenient.

The interior highlights include a 14.6-inch FHD central control screen, which has a clear display and smooth operation. It also comes standard with the Sound Plus function and four speakers, which are sufficient for basic entertainment needs. The instrument panel is an 8.8-inch LED digital screen capable of displaying core information such as range, speed, and power output with an intuitive interface. As for materials, the center console is mainly made of hard plastic, but the seams are evenly processed, avoiding a cheap feel. The multifunction steering wheel supports manual adjustment, and the layout of the buttons is reasonable, allowing for easy blind operation. In terms of features, automatic air conditioning for the front row, keyless entry, and power-folding side mirrors are standard, maximizing practicality. Both the front and rear rows have air conditioning vents, and there are also two USB ports in the rear, catering to the needs of family members.

Space is one of the e.Mas 5 Prime's core strengths. With a 2650mm wheelbase, a 175cm tall passenger has one fist of headroom left after adjusting the front seat. Passengers of the same height in the rear have two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, making it comfortable even for three people. The trunk has a standard capacity of 375L, which can hold two 28-inch suitcases and a carry-on suitcase without issue. After folding down the rear seats, it expands to 1320L, which is ample for large items. The interior storage space is abundant, with door panel storage slots accommodating two water bottles, and the central armrest box and glovebox offering considerable capacity for daily miscellaneous items.

In terms of power, the e.Mas 5 Prime is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering a maximum power of 58kW (79PS) and a maximum torque of 130N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 4.3 seconds (Note: This figure is inconsistent with the power output in the parameter table. During the test drive, the actual experience shows a quick start and smooth mid-range acceleration, making it more suitable for city commuting). For everyday driving, the Eco mode provides gentle power output, ideal for congested road conditions. In Normal mode, the power response is more direct, allowing for quick acceleration with a deeper press on the accelerator, although acceleration feels slightly underpowered beyond 100km/h. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension system, which is tuned for comfort. When crossing speed bumps or rough roads, the suspension absorbs most of the jolts, and the body remains stable without noticeable shaking. During cornering, the roll is controlled within a reasonable range, and steering precision is good with minimal play, making lane changes and U-turns very agile in daily use.

In terms of range, the official pure electric range is 225km. In our city commuting test (air conditioning set to 24℃, eco mode, speed 30-60km/h), the actual range achieved was about 190km, with a fulfillment rate of approximately 84%, fully covering daily commuting needs (20-30km one way) and short weekend trips. Fast charging takes 0.35 hours (about 21 minutes) to charge to 80%, while slow charging takes 4.4 hours to fully charge, and a home slow charging pile can replenish it overnight, which is quite convenient. Energy consumption is stable, around 13.5kWh/100km in city driving conditions and approximately 16kWh/100km on highways, meeting the standards for electric vehicles of this class.

In terms of driving comfort, the interior noise control is well managed. Below 60km/h, electric motor noise is almost inaudible, and at highway speeds of 100km/h, wind noise and tire noise slightly increase, but normal conversations are unaffected. The regenerative braking system offers two adjustable levels; the lower level mimics the coasting feeling of fuel-powered cars, while the higher level provides moderate braking force, reducing the need for frequent braking. The seats use fabric materials with soft padding and good support, allowing for continuous sitting for 2 hours without discomfort. The rear seatback angle is reasonable, ensuring comfort on long journeys.

Safety features are a highlight of the e.Mas 5 Prime, which comes with standard six airbags across all models (front dual airbags, front and rear side airbags, front and rear headrest airbags), ESP stability control, lane change assist, lane departure warning, a reminder for unfastened seat belts for all passengers, rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera. This safety configuration surpasses most fuel-powered cars in the same price range.

Overall, the 2025 Proton e.Mas 5 Prime has very evident core advantages: affordable price (RM56,800), practical features (14.6-inch large screen, automatic air conditioning, keyless entry), spacious interior, adequate range, and comprehensive safety features. Compared to entry-level electric vehicles in the same class, such as the BYD Dolphin or MG 4 Electric base models, the e.Mas 5 Prime is about RM3,000-5,000 cheaper, with richer features, making it stand out in terms of value for money.

The target audience for this car is very clear: budget-conscious families seeking practicality, or young individuals needing a daily commuting vehicle that can occasionally accommodate family members on short trips. It doesn’t offer particularly dynamic performance or ultra-long range, but it excels in balance—spacious, well-equipped, affordable, and perfectly meeting the daily needs of an average family. If you don’t require long-distance range and are simply looking for an economical and practical electric car, the e.Mas 5 Prime is worth considering.