Proton e.Mas 5 Review

The demand for pure electric vehicles in the Malaysian market is gradually growing, with consumers looking for affordable prices without compromising on features. As Proton's first entry-level pure electric C-Segment model, the 2025 e.Mas 5 series, available in Prime and Premium versions, directly targets the pure electric market below 100,000 MYR. The starting price of 56,800 MYR for the Prime version addresses budget-conscious users' key concerns. This time, we got the Prime version test car, and the main purpose is to verify whether it can meet the practicality, safety, and basic driving needs for daily commuting at such a low price.

At first glance, the e.Mas 5 Prime presents a rounded and family-oriented design style, without overly aggressive features. The front features a closed grille combined with halogen headlights on both sides, with daytime running lights integrated within the light assemblies. Although not LED, the lights have sufficient recognition when illuminated. The side profile of the car is smooth, with 205/65 R15 tire specifications fitting its family-oriented positioning. The wheel arches and lower door lines have a slight muscular touch, but the overall design remains clean. At the rear, the LED taillights adopt a through-type design, connected by the Proton brand logo in the middle. Beneath the trunk lid, an inward line enhances the layered look of the rear, while the rear fog lights are positioned on both sides of the bumper to meet regulations.

Inside the car, the interior style of the e.Mas 5 Prime focuses on practicality, with a symmetrical layout for the dashboard. Although there isn’t much soft material wrapping, the plastic components are decently crafted. The most striking feature is the 14.6-inch Full HD central control screen, boasting good screen clarity and smooth operation, and comes with the Sound Plus function. Paired with four speakers, it satisfies everyday music needs. The multifunctional steering wheel is standard, supporting basic functions like volume adjustment and call answering, with manual tilt adjustment available. The instrument panel is an 8.8-inch LED display, clearly showing information such as speed, range, and battery level. In terms of configurations, features like keyless entry, automatic air conditioning, rain-sensing wipers, and electrically folding side mirrors are included. For added comfort, the front row has USB ports, while the rear seats are equipped with air conditioning vents and sunshades for rear passengers.

In terms of space performance, the e.Mas 5 Prime has body dimensions of 4,135mm × 1,805mm × 1,580mm and a wheelbase of 2,650mm. As a C-Segment model, the front and rear seating spaces are sufficient for passengers up to 175cm tall. The front headroom is about one fist and two fingers, the rear legroom approximately one fist, and the rear headroom about one fist, ensuring no feeling of constraint. For storage, the front center armrest box and door storage compartments can hold items like phones and water bottles. The trunk has a standard capacity of 375 liters, which can be expanded to 1,320 liters by folding the rear seats, meeting the storage needs for daily shopping or short trips.

Under the hood, the e.Mas 5 Prime is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering a maximum power of 58kW (79PS) and a maximum torque of 130N·m, with a front-wheel-drive layout. While the official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.3 seconds sounds impressive, in actual driving, the power response is more energetic during the initial phase, suitable for low-speed urban commuting. However, after accelerating to 60km/h, the power output becomes more gradual, and overtaking at high speeds requires pressing the accelerator pedal well in advance. There are two driving modes: Economy and Sport. In Economy mode, the power output is gentler, making it ideal for daily energy-efficient driving, while in Sport mode, the throttle response is more sensitive, though at the expense of slightly increased power consumption.

In terms of handling, the combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension is considered a good configuration among vehicles in the same price range. When dealing with common speed bumps or bumpy roads in the city, the suspension can filter out most of the minor vibrations, and the car body remains stable without overly stiff feedback. When cornering, the steering wheel has moderate weight, the steering is relatively precise, and the body roll is kept within an acceptable range. Overall handling leans more towards family comfort.

In terms of range and charging, the e.Mas 5 Prime is equipped with a 30.12kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, offering an official pure electric range of 225km. During our testing in urban road conditions, with air conditioning on and normal driving, the range achievement rate was approximately 85%, offering an actual range of about 190km, which is sufficient for a week of daily commuting. For charging speed, fast charging takes 0.35 hours (about 21 minutes) to go from 30% to 80%, while slow charging requires 4.4 hours, making it suitable for overnight home charging stations. The braking performance is stable; the brake pedal travel is moderate, the braking force output is linear, and confidence in everyday braking is sufficient.

Regarding driving comfort, the seats in the e.Mas 5 Prime are made of fabric material, with relatively thick padding and average support, but they are not too tiring for long periods of sitting. In terms of noise control, the motor noise is not noticeable when driving at low speeds, but tire noise and wind noise gradually become audible once the speed exceeds 60km/h. However, this noise remains within an acceptable range and does not affect normal conversations. The regenerative braking has two adjustable levels: in low mode, the recovery strength is weak, resembling the coasting feel of fuel-powered cars; in high mode, the recovery strength is slightly stronger but does not result in a pronounced dragging sensation, and once accustomed to it, you can reduce the frequency of brake usage.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2025 Proton e.Mas 5 Prime lie in its affordable price and comprehensive basic features. At a price of 56,800 ringgit, you get safety features like 6 airbags, vehicle stability control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning, as well as comfort features like a large central control screen and keyless entry, making it highly competitive among electric vehicles in the same price range. Compared to other models in the same segment, such as the entry-level version of the BYD Dolphin, the e.Mas 5 Prime has a price advantage and offers comparable features.

This car is suitable for families on a budget who value practicality and safety, especially for urban commuters with daily distances below 50km or as a second household vehicle. Its range is enough to meet daily needs, its charging speed can accommodate emergency energy replenishment, and there are no obvious shortcomings in its features.

In conclusion, the 2025 Proton e.Mas 5 Prime is an entry-level electric family car with an outstanding price-performance ratio. While performance and range are not its strong points, its price, features, and space meet the needs of most households, making it a good option for budget-conscious buyers entering the electric vehicle market.