What makes the Proton S70 Malaysia's favourite C-segment sedan?

What makes the Proton S70 Malaysia's favourite C-segment sedan?

Proton is Malaysia’s second best-selling car brand that began its journey in the mid-1980s with the Saga sedan that quickly became a symbol of national pride. While even after 40 years, the Saga has been ruling the charts, the Proton S70 has emerged as the brand’s new rising star.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • How much does the Proton S70 cost?

    The Proton S70 price begins at RM 73,800 and goes up to RM 94,800.
  • What is the safety rating of the Proton S70?

    The Proton S70 holds a 5-star ASEAN NCAP crash test rating.
  • What are the rivals of the Proton S70?

    Honda City and Toyota Vios are among the key rivals of the Proton S70.
  • What accessory packages are available with the Proton S70?

    Four accessory packages are available with the Proton S70 viz. Aerokit package, Premium Package, Urban Package, and Utility Package.
  • Proton added the S70 to its lineup in November 2023 and in just one year, this sedan became Malaysians’ first choice in the C-segment sedan category. The automaker sold a total of 19,182 S70s in 2024 with an average monthly sales of 1,640 units. 

     Proton S70 Photo from Proton

    What makes the Proton S70 the favourite C-segment sedan in Malaysia? Before diving into the reasons, let’s start with some basics first:

    The S70 is a rebadged version of the Geely Emgrand and comes in four variants - Executive, Premium, Flagship, and Flagship X, priced as follows - 

    Variants

    Price (on the road, without insurance) 

    S70 Executive

    RM 73,800

    S70 Premium

    RM 79,800

    S70 Flagship

    RM 89,800

    S70 Flagship X

    RM 94,800

     Proton S70 engine Photo from Proton

    All variants are powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder in-line 12 Valve DOHC engine, which we can also find under the bonnet of the X50. The said mill kicks out a maximum power of 150 PS and a peak torque of 226 Nm. Sending power to the front wheels is a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission.

    Proton S70: What makes it desirable?

    Attractive aesthetics

    The sedan has a youthful design with a neat front grille, streamlined bumpers, and well-balanced proportions. Adding to the sophistication are triple LED daytime running lights and full-width tail lights featuring N-shaped graphics. The S70 comes equipped with 17-inch wheels, offering it a distinctive edge over the City that runs on 16-inch rims.

     Proton S70 rear Photo from Proton

    Good power delivery

    As mentioned above, the Proton S70 runs on a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine producing 150 PS and 226 Nm of torque. These output numbers put the Proton sedan ahead of the Honda City and Toyota Vios. For reference, the petrol-powered City generates 121 PS and 145 Nm while the Vios is tuned to deliver 106 PS and 138 Nm.

    Along with impressive power delivery, the S70 provides a responsive and dynamic driving experience with its dual-clutch transmission offering smoother and quicker gear shifts in comparison to conventional CVT units.

    Strong safety features

    The S70 prioritizes driver and occupants’ safety and the proof is its five-star ASEAN NCAP rating. The sedan is packed with a bag full of standard safety bits, including six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, seatbelt reminders, blind spot detection, child presence detection, pedestrian protection technology, and rear collision warning.

     Proton S70 safety Photo from Proton

    With the top-spec trims also come advanced safety assist technologies like autonomous emergency braking, auto high beam, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, and fatigue driving reminder system. 

    Local adaptation

    While the S70 is a rebadged version of a Geely model, it is fine-tuned for the local roads. Proton invested over 75,000 man-hours in testing the vehicle and made the suspension and handling optimized for a balanced ride.

    Comfortable and tech-laden cabin

    Another reason behind the S70’s popularity is its well-built minimalist interior loaded with premium materials and practical controls. Key highlights include -

     Proton S70 interior Photo from Proton
    • 12.3-inch infotainment unit 
    • 10.3-inch LCD instrument panel with 4G & Wi-Fi connectivity
    • Leatherette seats
    • Driver power seat
    • Automatic climate control with N95 cabin filter
    • Rear AC vents
    • Remote engine start
    • Electric Parking Brake 
    • Wireless smartphone charger
    • 5 USB ports 
    • 360-degree view camera with 3D display
     Proton S70 cabin Photo from Proton

    The sedan also integrates practical interior storage solutions and generous luggage space, making it a good choice for long family trips.

    Value for money 

    The Proton S70 offers C-segment features at the B-segment price point starting at RM 73,800. For comparison, the Honda City retails between RM 84,900 to RM 111,900 while for the Toyota Vios, customers need to shell out RM 89,600 to RM 95,500.

    The City is a well-equipped and reliable car, however, many of its advanced features are reserved for top-spec versions, making it comparatively dearer in the segment. Similarly, the Vios has been known for practicality and durability for many years, but it also tends to have a higher price tag while offering fewer premium bits as standard. Thus, the S70 shines as a value-for-money option for Malaysians.

    Proton S70 front Photo from Proton

    Conclusion

    In a nutshell, the Proton S70 has been winning hearts for all good reasons. It’s stylish, packed with modern features, and delivers great performance and comfort, and that too at a price that’s hard to beat. This formula resonates strongly with Malaysian buyers and gives the sedan a competitive edge in the market. 

    Also read: Proton e.MAS and smart EV owners enjoy 30% charging discount this CNY

    Sippi Vig

    Sippi Vig

    Sippi is a versatile writer and specializes in crafting both blog articles and site content for the automotive industry. Her strong analytical skills help in curating articles backed with stong number analysis for our audience. She enjoys reviewing the latest cars/models and describing new technologies. She holds a master of business administration degree in finance and marketing. When she’s not working, she enjoys travel, adventure, reading, and gardening.

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