Proton e.Mas 7 2024 Review

With competition in Malaysia's D-segment electric vehicle market heating up, consumers are no longer solely focused on range numbers but are paying more attention to the balance of feature richness, practicality, and value for money. Proton's newly launched e.Mas series targets this demand, with the 7 Prime serving as the entry-level model. Priced at RM109,800, it offers 218PS power, a 410km range, and comes standard with Level 2 driving assistance. This combination of features is particularly impressive in the same price range. We received the test car and focused on verifying whether its static performance upholds the D-segment positioning, whether the dynamic driving experience feels intuitive, and how practical it is for daily use.

First, let's look at the exterior. The design of the e.Mas 7 Prime follows a steady yet slightly futuristic style. The front features a closed grille with Proton’s new logo in the center. The sharply designed LED headlights on both sides are connected to the chrome trim lining the top of the grille, visually widening the car's front. The sides have smooth lines running from the hood to the rear, with a body line crossing the door handles. The 18-inch multi-spoke wheels are paired with 225/55 R18 tires, creating a balanced proportion. The rear features a full-width LED taillight with high recognizability when lit. A silver skid plate adorns the lower part of the rear bumper, adding a touch of crossover style. Overall, the exterior design is not overly aggressive, which caters to family users' preference for a timeless look.

Stepping into the car, the interior quality exceeds expectations. The dashboard features a layered design, with the upper part wrapped in soft-touch materials for a fine texture. The center houses a 15.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen with high resolution, good responsiveness, and clear menu logic. The instrument cluster is a 10.2-inch LCD full digital screen, showing information like range, speed, and driving assistance status in a clean and easy-to-read interface. In terms of features, keyless entry, one-button start, six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, automatic air conditioning with air purification, and a multifunction steering wheel all come as standard, covering most daily needs. However, the front passenger seat is manually adjustable, which is slightly disappointing for a D-segment vehicle. Nonetheless, considering the price, this seems reasonable.

Space is one of the strengths of the e.Mas 7 Prime. The dimensions of the vehicle are 4,615mm in length, 1,901mm in width, and 1,670mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750mm, which is in line with mainstream standards for this class. With the front seat adjusted for a comfortable sitting position, a 175cm tall passenger still has a fist and two fingers worth of headroom. The rear cabin is even more spacious, offering two fists of legroom and a fist of headroom, and the nearly flat floor makes it comfortable even for three passengers. The rear seats are equipped with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, providing thoughtful touches. The trunk offers a capacity of 461 liters, sufficient for several suitcases, and the rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split to create even more storage space, making it convenient for carrying larger items.

In terms of dynamic driving, the e.Mas 7 Prime is equipped with a front-mounted single electric motor, delivering a maximum power of 160kW (218PS) and a peak torque of 320N·m. Its official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 6.9 seconds. During actual driving, the car accelerates smoothly, with a responsive throttle (electric pedal), offering decent power output with just a light press. It works seamlessly for urban following or overtaking. There are three driving modes to choose from: Eco mode provides gentler power output, ideal for daily commutes with some energy-saving benefits; Normal mode offers balanced power suitable for most scenarios; Sport mode delivers more direct power response and a noticeable acceleration boost, making it enjoyable for an occasional thrill.

In terms of handling, the combination of the front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension is tuned towards comfort without sacrificing support. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads in the city, the suspension absorbs most of the minor vibrations, and the body does not experience noticeable bouncing. On highways, the steering is precise with minimal play, and the car remains stable at speeds of up to 120km/h. When cornering, body roll is well-controlled, without a significant tilting sensation, which inspires confidence. The braking performance is also commendable, offering linear brake force—what you input is what you get—and the car maintains a stable posture during emergency braking.

Range and charging are the points electric vehicle users care about the most. The e.Mas 7 Prime features a battery capacity of 49.52kWh, with an official range of 410km. In our actual testing, which included city commuting and occasional highway driving, the achieved range rate was around 85% under mixed conditions. For instance, if fully charged, it shows 410km, but it can actually cover around 350km, which is above average among electric vehicles in the same class. In terms of charging speed, fast charging takes 30 minutes to go from 30% to 80%, while slow charging requires 4.9 hours for a full charge. For daily use with a home charging station, charging overnight works perfectly, and finding a fast-charging station when you're out won't require waiting for too long.

The everyday driving and ride comfort details are well executed. Regarding noise control, at low speeds, the electric motor noise is almost inaudible. At high speeds, wind and tire noise become noticeable but remain within acceptable levels, without affecting in-car conversations. The seats offer excellent wrapping and support. With 6-way electric adjustments for the driver’s seat, it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position, and long drives are not overly tiring. The energy recovery has two adjustable levels. In low mode, it feels similar to a combustion engine car's coasting effect without noticeable drag. In high mode, the recuperation strength is higher, which helps save energy and becomes very handy once you're used to it.

To sum up, e.Mas 7 Prime has evident core advantages: it is affordably priced, with a RM109,800 price tag that is highly competitive among D-segment electric vehicles; it offers rich configurations, with standard features such as L2-level driving assistance, a large touchscreen, and electric seats; it provides spacious interiors suited for families; its power is adequate, delivering a light and breezy daily driving experience, and its range achievement rate is decent. Compared with other electric vehicles at the same price, such as the BYD Atto 3, the e.Mas 7 Prime has a longer wheelbase, larger rear space, and more comprehensive features. However, it does have some compromises, such as manual adjustment for the front passenger seat and the lack of a panoramic sunroof, which are available in the higher trim 7 Premium. Nevertheless, considering the price difference, these sacrifices are acceptable.

This vehicle is most suitable for practical family users who prioritize value for money, as well as those who need a spacious, well-configured, easy-to-drive, and cost-effective car for daily commuting. It fulfills the needs of city commutes and weekend family outings, offering balanced overall performance without notable shortcomings.

In summary, the Proton e.Mas 7 Prime is a pragmatic electric SUV for families. It delivers a compelling combination of price, configuration, and space while providing driving dynamics that meet daily needs. If you're looking for a cost-effective and family-friendly electric car, the e.Mas 7 Prime is worth considering for your shortlist.