Proton Suprima S: Hits and misses

Being an indigenous car manufacturer, Proton has a slight advantage over other car companies. It not only understands the needs of the Malaysians better than the others but it also manages to price its products quite aggressively. The Proton Suprima S is one such product of this brand that tends to offer a good bang for the buck. Of course, Proton did its homework well before this car was launched in the market. So, whether the Suprima S still holds a good forefront in its segment? Let’s find out by discussing some of its hits and misses.

Proton Suprima S Hits

Stylish exterior

Proton Suprima S has been around for quite some time now and surprisingly it still manages to pull off very well with its looks. This shows Proton’s dedication and research while designing the Suprima S years ago.

The Suprima S features an unusual front end with a quite unique or we should say identifiable fascia. The headlamps are the first one to give away the name of the car. Then there’s the large Proton logo in the centre of the grille, which is blacked out.

The front end of the Suprima S is also quite sporty when you look at it as a whole. The bumper has got a few sharp lines that help the brand to accentuate the sportiness of the car. The headlights also get a set of LED DRLs placed at the bottom for that added piece of ornament.

Moving towards the side of the car, the stylish 17-inch alloy wheels keep things busy. The sloping roofline meets the roof-mounted spoiler at the rear. The rear is again pretty well done. We like the shape of the tail light cluster and the tailgate. The tail lights are LEDs. And, of course, the rear bumper carries on the sportiness here as well.

Spacious interior

The cabin space of the Proton Suprima S is quite a lot when you compare it to that of the other cars in this segment. This ensures high comfort levels for all the occupants of the car. There is a good amount of legroom for the rear passengers. The leather seats just enhance the overall riding experience in the Suprima S.

Proton has also provided paddle shifters for those who like to stay connected to drive at all times. This feature would be much appreciated especially by the enthusiasts. And to top it off, the steering wheel is wrapped in leather for that added premium-ness.

Suitable engine

Topping the Proton Suprima S specs sheet is its 1.6-litreTurbo engine which has been tuned to churn out 138 hp at 5000 rpm and generate a peak torque of 205 Nm at 2000 to 4000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 7-speed ProTonic gearbox. Proton has finely tuned the engine to perform optimally. It is powerful enough to pull the Suprima S from 0 to 100 kmph in 9.9 seconds and flat out would do 190 kmph. It is also fuel efficient as Proton claims fuel consumption of 14.9 kmpl.

Safety features

Proton Suprima S price in Malaysia is RM 73,111 (for the PREMIUM variant). And at this price, Proton has managed to offer a lot to its customers. Considering the price, the Suprima S is equipped with some good safety features like 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control, Reverse Camera, Hill-Hold Assist, etc.

Proton Suprima S Misses

Quality of interior

Of course, to provide that many features at that price Proton had to be lenient in some aspects. So, the quality of the interior takes a beating. There are hard plastic parts that don’t feel good to touch. They are also prone to scratches. The fit and finish are nothing that you would like to boast about. Perhaps, Proton compensated for the quality of the materials used by providing more space in the cabin.

Clunky gearbox

We’ve heard this quite a lot from many people that the gearbox of the Proton Suprima S is clunky. It is noisy and shifts aren’t seamless. Proton could have provided a better gearbox; the Suprima S deserves one.

An outdated touchscreen infotainment system

Proton’s infotainment with touchscreen audio system might be okay when the car was first launched in the market. But today it seems outdated, especially when we have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the picture. We wish that the infotainment system should now be upgraded with the latest features.

So, these were some of the hits and misses of the Proton Suprima S. Proton is a well-known company and can do a lot better with its products. But we also understand that there has to be a balance between price and features in order to sustain the company as a whole. What do you think about the Proton Suprima S? Do let us know in the comments.