2026 Proton X70 1.5 TGDi Premium Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's C-Segment SUV market has been heating up, and consumers have become increasingly clear about their demands for space practicality, intelligent configurations, and balanced power performance. As a core model under Proton, the 2026 X70 1.5 TGDi Premium positions intelligent driving assistance and luxury configurations as its core selling points in this update. Can it maintain its advantage in the same class? We conducted a comprehensive test drive to examine the car's real capabilities, from a static experience to dynamic performance.

In terms of exterior design, the 2026 X70 Premium continues the family's design language, but with detailed optimizations to enhance its recognizability. The front features a large blacked-out grille, paired with a chrome strip that spans across it, connecting the LED headlights on both sides, which visually widen the front end. The body side lines are smooth, and the 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels look tough, with slightly protruding front and rear wheel arches adding to the SUV's muscular appearance. At the rear, the blacked-out LED taillights feature a continuous design that echoes the front, while the silver skid plate below enhances the sporty feel. In terms of lighting, the vehicle is equipped with a standard full-LED lighting system, including automatic headlights and front fog lights, which are convenient for daily use.

Once inside, the interior primarily uses dark-colored soft-touch materials, and the dashboard layout is simple. The 12.3-inch central touchscreen, located in the center, boasts clear resolution and smooth operation; some physical buttons are retained below for easier operation without looking. The full LCD instrument cluster provides rich information and offers switchable themes, capable of displaying key data such as navigation and fuel consumption in real-time. In terms of configurations, the front row features a 6-way electric adjustable driver’s seat and a 4-way electric adjustable passenger seat, both offering moderate support and cushioning. The rear seats allow manual adjustment for the backrest angle. With a low central tunnel, the legroom for the middle passenger in the back is not too cramped when seating three people. For storage space, the front center armrest box and door panel storage compartments are roomy. The trunk's standard capacity meets the needs of daily family use, and folding down the rear seats provides additional space. The air conditioning system features dual-zone automatic constant temperature control, and the independent rear air vents ensure passenger comfort in the back.

Regarding performance, the 2026 X70 Premium is powered by a 1.5T turbocharged engine with a maximum power output of 181PS and peak torque of 290N·m, paired with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. During actual driving, the power response is lively at startup, with sufficient torque output at low RPMs, making it easy to follow traffic or overtake smoothly in the city. Switching to sport mode enhances throttle sensitivity, and the gearbox's shifting logic becomes more aggressive, delivering a noticeable surge during acceleration. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 9.8 seconds, which is relatively above average for 1.5T competitors in the same class. In terms of fuel consumption, our tests under mixed road conditions (60% urban + 40% highway) recorded actual fuel consumption of approximately 7.8L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 7.3L. However, considering the SUV's aerodynamic drag and weight, this result is within an acceptable range.

As for driving experience, the steering wheel has a moderate weight and offers decent precision, with a light feel during daily driving. At higher speeds, the steering becomes slightly heavier to ensure stability. The chassis employs a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned towards comfort. It effectively absorbs most bumps and uneven road surfaces, and the body doesn’t sway significantly. When cornering, the body roll is kept within a reasonable range, with no noticeable instability. The braking system performs consistently, with a linear pedal response, and the vehicle maintains good posture during emergency braking. In terms of noise control, cabin noise at speeds below 60km/h primarily comes from tire noise. At higher speeds, wind noise becomes more pronounced, but it remains within an acceptable range without affecting in-cabin conversations.

Intelligent driving assistance configuration is one of the highlights of this car, with standard features such as ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane change assist, and active braking. In actual tests, ACC performs well on highways with stable following and smooth acceleration/deceleration; the lane departure warning reacts promptly, and the active braking system intervenes quickly during simulated sudden braking by the vehicle in front to avoid collisions. The 360-degree surround view camera provides high clarity, and combined with front and rear parking sensors, it virtually eliminates blind spots during parking, making it friendly for novice drivers.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2026 Proton X70 1.5 TGDi Premium lies in its balanced performance: the space meets family needs, the configuration includes intelligent driving assistance and luxury features, the power is sufficient for daily use, and fuel consumption is relatively reasonable. Compared to competitors in the same segment, such as the Honda CR-V 1.5T or Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid, the X70 offers better value for money and more comprehensive features.

This car is suitable for family users who prioritize practicality and configuration, especially those who frequently travel with family members and require intelligent safety features. For users seeking extreme performance or off-road capabilities, other models may be more suitable, but for the majority of daily urban commuting and family usage scenarios, the X70 Premium meets the needs very well.

In conclusion, the 2026 Proton X70 1.5 TGDi Premium is a well-rounded C-Segment SUV with no obvious shortcomings. With its rich features and reasonable pricing, it remains highly competitive in its segment.