Proton X50 Update: NCAP Safety test report, Standard variant, and Thailand export

KUALA LUMPUR: Last month, Proton confirmed that the much-anticipated X50 achieved a five-star rating in the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asia, but did not reveal any specific details about the test. Well, now the ASEAN NCAP has released the full report of the X50’s crash test, together with the test video.

Available in 4 variants, the Proton X50 is the brand’s seventh model that has undergone the ASEAN NCAP assessment. The team assessed the Standard trim, which is the lowest-spec model on offer; however, the result stands for all four variants. Considering the safety specs of the X50 Standard, this is quite impressive as it gets 4 airbags instead of six in other trims and it does not even equip the ADAS, available in range-topping Flagship. Let’s check out the scores.

Also read: Proton X50: Safety features explained

Proton X50 achieved an overall score of 84.26 points, joining other five star rated vehicles in NCAP’s list, including the Proton X70 (2018), Toyota Corolla Cross (2020), Perodua Aruz (2018), and Isuzu D-Max (2020).

Here are the category-wise scores:

• Frontal impact: 13.42 out of 16
• Side Impact: 16 out of 16
• Head protection technology: 2 out of 4 (lack of curtain airbags on the variant tested resulted in low scores)
• Adult Occupant Protection: 31.42 out of 36
• Child Occupant Protection: 41.50 out of 49
• Safety Assist technology: 14 out of 18 (with the absence of seat belt reminders for rear passengers in Standard trim)

Moreover, in blind spot technology, the report confirmed that it worked on both the right and left side areas of the vehicle. 

Without a doubt, the Proton’s upcoming SUV did very well in the safety assessment; although its overall score is lower than its elder brother, the X70 that scored 89.24 points.

Also read: Proton X50 vs Proton X70: Similarities and differences explained

Beyond the X50 safety performance on several parameters, this assessment also provided us the first look at the SUV’s Standard variant. After all, the automaker has only shown off the top-spec Flagship version so far, so it’s nice to finally see how the base X50 looks like.

The Standard trim does not have a blacked-out roof, large 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, TGDi badging, roof rails, and front LED fog lights. Other than these, the SUV looks identical to the Flagship variant. 

The highlights like LED headlamps, gloss black front grille with red accents, sporty lower apron, quad tailpipes, and rear spoiler, really make it eye-catching.

Another interesting information revealed through the X50’s ASEAN NCAP report is that the automaker will export the SUV in the Thai-market. That could make Thailand the first export market for the B-SUV.

Although the Proton X50 price is still undercover, the bookings of the SUV have started at a marginal fee of RM 500. The official launch is expected to happen sometime this month, 

Also read: Buy or Hold: Wait for Proton X50 or buy Mazda CX-3?