2025 Proton X50 Executive Review

In Malaysia's B-Segment SUV market, consumer attention to feature richness and value-for-money continues to rise. As a popular model in this segment, the 2025 Proton X50 Executive version further enhances its intelligent features and performance while maintaining its original advantages. Our main objective with this test drive is to evaluate its actual performance in daily usage scenarios, to see if the upgraded features are genuinely practical and whether its power output meets the needs of family users.

In terms of appearance, the 2025 X50 Executive retains the family-style design, with sleek and sporty overall lines. The front end features a large-sized grille paired with chrome trims, offering high recognition; the sharp LED headlights on both sides are integrated with the grille, creating a unified look that enhances the visual width. The car's side uses a dual waistline design extending from the front fender to the rear, paired with 17-inch wheels to enhance the layering effect of the side profile. At the rear, the LED tail lights have a through-type design, which looks striking when illuminated; the diffuser-style shape at the bottom and the dual exhaust layout on both sides add a touch of sportiness to the overall vehicle.

Inside, the interior adopts black as the main color, accented with silver trims, giving a simple and elegant style. In terms of materials, the top of the dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials, offering a pleasant tactile experience. The centerpiece of the interior is the 14.6-inch central touchscreen, whose size is a significant advantage among competitors, and its operational smoothness is commendable. The instrument panel is a full 8.88-inch LCD, clearly displaying information such as speed, rpm, and fuel consumption, with a reasonably laid-out interface. In terms of features, keyless entry, push-button start, multifunction steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, and rear air conditioning vents all come as standard, significantly enhancing daily convenience. The seats are manually adjustable but provide decent support and wrapping. The rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split to expand trunk space further.

Regarding space, the 2025 X50 Executive has a wheelbase of 2600mm, with a length, width, and height of 4380mm × 1795mm × 1609mm, making it a mainstream size in the B-Segment SUV category. The front seating area is spacious; when adjusted for a 175cm tall passenger, there’s still a fist’s worth of headroom. The rear legroom is about two fists, while the headroom is one fist, sufficiently meeting the needs of family trips. In terms of storage capacity, the trunk offers a standard volume of 330L, which can be expanded by folding the rear seats, allowing for the placement of a stroller or luggage. Additionally, practical designs such as the front central armrest storage box and door panel storage compartments can hold items like phones, water bottles, and other small objects.

In the power department, the 2025 X50 Executive is equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 181PS and a maximum torque of 290N·m, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. During actual driving, the power response is brisk at the start, with a noticeable push-back feeling even with light throttle. The acceleration is smooth, with adequate power reserves in the mid-to-high range. When overtaking, a deep press on the accelerator prompts the transmission to shift down promptly, providing continuous power output. The driving modes include Economic, Standard, and Sport. The Sport mode enhances throttle sensitivity, catering to users seeking driving fun, while the Economic mode focuses more on fuel efficiency, suitable for daily commutes.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the steering wheel is precise with minimal play, offering a light and effortless feel, making it stress-free for female drivers as well. The combination of a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension performs decently on bumpy roads, filtering out most of the small vibrations. When traversing speed bumps or uneven sections, the suspension rebounds crisply without excess wobbling. During cornering, body roll is kept within a reasonable range, and the chassis stability is commendable, giving the driver ample confidence.

As for fuel consumption, we tested under mixed driving conditions (approximately 60% city roads and 40% highways), and the fuel consumption was around 7.2L per 100 kilometers. This result is at the upper-middle level among similar 1.5T models, meeting family users' needs for fuel economy. Noise control performs well, with minimal engine noise and tire noise during driving. Although wind noise becomes slightly noticeable at high speeds, it does not affect normal conversations.

In terms of safety features, the 2025 Proton X50 Executive is equipped as standard with 6 airbags, ABS anti-lock braking system, vehicle stability control, lane-change assist, ACC adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera. Its safety features are among the best in its class. The inclusion of 6 airbags and vehicle stability control further enhances the passive safety performance of the vehicle.

To summarize, the core advantages of the 2025 Proton X50 Executive lie in its oversized infotainment screen, abundant smart features, robust power output, and reliable safety performance. Compared to similar models like the Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross, the X50 Executive offers better value for money in terms of features and pricing. With a price tag of 89,800 MYR, the vehicle's rich features make it highly appealing.

This car is suitable for family users who prioritize configuration, power, and value for money, particularly those who need to cater to both daily commuting and family outings. It can meet daily commuting needs and also handle weekend family trips, providing adequate space and power. If you're looking for a well-equipped, powerful, and affordably priced B-segment SUV, the 2025 Proton X50 Executive is worth considering.