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Here we go again. We know what some of you are thinking, but in reality, this post is not what you think it is. Regardless of how the headline reads, this isn’t meant to be one of those clickbait posts that intentionally go the other direction to get noticed.
Instead, these are five Proton variants that we think you should skip, because there are others in the range that you should focus your hard earned money on. Our buyers guide is based on price, value and features, with a strong emphasis on the safety kit.
The previous installment titled “5 variants of Perodua that you must not buy ”was not a blow to the market leader; We were recommending our best picks from other places in the Perodua range, and not from other brands. Many followed suit to criticize the company for launching unsafe cars – that’s puzzling, because Perodua has lately been pushing the safety glass roof and making other automakers seem even stingy.
Perodua’s sales leadership is comfortable, but Proton has been pushing hard to regain prominence. Although the spotlight has been on the CKD X70 and the X50 SUVs around the corner, Proton has been improving its entry-level models in the affordable segment. Last year, the automaker updated the Saga, Iriz, Persona, and Exora with a revised look and more kit, along with lower prices.
In an ideal world, we will put on sale all the security equipment of each model range, even for the brands that play at the entry level like Proton and Perodua. But as with everything in life, it doesn’t work that way and something has to give. With that said, here are five Protons that we think you should leave out in favor of other variants.
Proton Saga standard AT
The latest version of the Proton Saga, introduced in August 2019, brought significant changes to the brand’s entry-level sedan, ranging from a new gearbox (Hyundai’s 4AT replaces the old CVT) to a revamped dash. The mid-tier executive variant was dropped, leaving only the standard (MT and AT) and the premium (AT only).
The Saga facelift range starts with the standard MT at RM 32,400 (with exemption from 2020 sales tax, as with all prices in this story), and an additional RM 2,900 (RM 35,300) will buy you the 4AT version of the Entry-level version, adding alloys, LED map lights, rear USB ports, and cushioned grips in the process.
The AT standard is good value for money, but adding RM4,000 will earn you extras that are worth a little more than the difference. The Saga Premium looks significantly better with 15-inch two-tone alloys, LED daytime running lights, body-colored mirrors and door handles, and black trim on the B-pillars.
Inside, Premium buyers get a nicer seat fabric, steering wheel audio / call buttons, plus an Android touchscreen head unit with four speakers (floating design looks strange with a non-touchscreen HU) . All of those things are already worth more than RM4k, but we haven’t even touched the most important area: security.
The top-of-the-line Saga is the only one that comes with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and, while not seen, it is the most valuable upgrade. Also exclusive to the Premium are hillside assistance, front parking sensors and reversing camera. If you can afford the difference, there should only be one option if you go for an Auto Saga. Cosmetics can be adapted later, but not ESC.
Proton Iriz and Persona Standard CVT
Now, we’re fans of manual cars on this channel (unlike keyboard warriors, we have an actual collection of shifters in various shapes and sizes), but we’re also not the type you’ll find uttering “if it was only a manual” or “if it’s manual, I buy it” on every car launch.
It’s not for everyone, but if you play with a manual as a daily controller, Proton has some underrated gems in its range. Most of the Iriz and Persona bettors skip the stick for the CVT, but as Hafriz Shah says: pay RM3k and RM2k extra (Iriz Standard 1.3 CVT and Persona Standard 1.6 CVT are priced at RM39,200 and RM44,000 respectively ) for a worse car. It’s never a good deal, right?
This is the argument. The CVT of the latest Iriz / Persona is not as annoying as previous versions, as the constant improvements implemented since 2014 have made it a good daily companion. Not quite on the level of Honda and Toyota CVTs, but useful the H.
On the other hand, the manual box on the B-segment sisters is reportedly very good and is “much better than the Perodua MTs.” Now, I haven’t driven a manual Proton in years so I can’t corroborate Hafriz’s statement, but my journal is a Myvi G3 MT (rarer than a Ferrari, you know), and objectively speaking, the clutch and gear don’t they are great. . Based on the trend, you should be right.
Hafriz, who occasionally drives an Iriz MT, adds that Proton’s 5MT has good shifting feel and a clutch pedal that is easy to modulate. There’s even pending hold assistance, a feature I no longer have and really miss. “Driven one behind the other, the MT Iriz / Persona is far superior to the CVT,” he says.
Rowing your own gears in the daily urban grind isn’t for most, of course, but if you’re opting for the CVT, we recommend the Executive CVT variants shown here, which are priced at RM44,100 for the Iriz 1.3. L and RM48,900 for the Persona 1.6L.
For a premium RM5k, the mid spec adds a bit, which includes larger wheels and automatic headlights for the Iriz; and LED DRL, remote trunk release, keyless entry / push start and touch screen head unit with reversing camera for both. The add-ons and convenience they will provide over the years are a good value for RM5k. If you can afford the higher monthly Exec fees than the standard CVT, go ahead.
We understand that RM5k is not negligible in this price range, and loan approval can be narrowed down to small margins, but at least the price difference is spread out over a loan tenure of up to nine years. Supplementing your car in the future would require cash up front.
Proton Exora Executive
More than a decade later, the Proton Exora still exists. Despite receiving a change last year, the seven-seat minivan feels dated and is becoming difficult to recommend these days. However, like the equally old Perodua Alza, it still serves a segment of the automotive public, large families on a budget, and is relevant for that.
But we can only support the Premium RM64,800 variant. The Executive at RM 57,300 may be cheaper at RM 7,500, but it lacks ESC, and a family MPV that doesn’t have stability control is unacceptable.
The other differences include LED DRL, rear fog light, power folding rear view mirrors, side skirts, rear spoiler, black roof / rear trim, leather steering, direction buttons, cruise control, synthetic semi-leather seats, vanity mirror driver’s front row fold. downward armrest, reversing camera and a seven-inch “Hi Proton” head unit. It’s nice to have all of them, but ESC is the most important point.
On the subject of safety, it is very unfortunate that Proton removed the option to have side airbags on the Exora in 2017 (only two airbags across the board since then), having spent money to develop it for the model. It’s a clear cost-cutting move in order to provide more showroom-friendly features.
Proton X50 1.5T standard
The launch of the Proton X50 is just around the corner and we have brought you a lot of details over the last few weeks. We know the specs and lineup of the long-awaited SUV, but not the prices.
There are basically four variants: standard, executive, premium and flagship, and two 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo engines. The flagship gets a 177 PS / 255 Nm direct injection unit, while the other variants receive a 150 PS / 226 Nm port injection version of the same engine. When we first looked at the spec sheet and feature layout, one thing came up: just four airbags for the standard.
Four airbags are not acceptable for a new 2020 release, even more so a model that is considered technologically advanced. We’ll see how much cheaper the Standard is compared to the Executive, but there shouldn’t be a price for safety anyway, and this isn’t a bargain basement segment. Even the Perodua Aruz, a much less sophisticated product aimed at developing markets, has six airbags across the board.
We will have to wait for the official prices, but if the gap between Premium and Flagship turns out to be small (we expect at least RM10k, which is not insignificant), then the Premium will be included in this list, as the Range-topper does not only come with a more powerful engine; it is the only one that has the full ADAS driver assistance suite.
Yes, it seems like it’s all or nothing for the X50 in terms of driver-assist safety features, as the other three variants don’t even come with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) or blind spot warning.
By comparison, the X70’s spec breakdown seems to be better thought out. There is a significant visual difference between the Basic Standard and Medium Executive variants, which justifies the price difference, but the largest SUV has six airbags across the range.
There you go, five Proton variants that we think you shouldn’t buy and why. Some would say the X70 Premium X should be included here too, but we think RM3k is a fair price to pay for those who want the sunroof, which is one of those “love it or don’t care” features. . At least Proton is giving X70 buyers a choice rather than bundling it all into the flagship, like what they’re doing with the X50 flagship.
Of course, all the variants exist for a reason, and in some price segments, every RM100 counts when it comes to loan accessibility and approval. But if you can afford it, choose the best value and / or best value car. There are some features that, once used, can never “go out of use” and while the security features cannot be seen, they make a difference at the most crucial moments.
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