Two months after its highly anticipated debut, we finally had the opportunity to spend some hours with the Proton S70, the national carmaker’s latest sedan in an SUV-infested market.
Essentially a C-segment sedan that is as big as a Civic and the Altis, the S70 is priced similarly to a B-segment sedan such as the Vios and the City at RM94,800, which is quite surprising as we expected the car to be priced well over RM100,000, but here we are.
So, does low price mean low quality or does it translate to excellent value for money? To find out, we spent some time with the Proton S70 1.5T Flagship X variant from Penang to Shah Alam, driving it through a good mixture of traffic jams, tight twisty bits of Balik Pulau, and everything in between.
Priced at an extremely competitive RM94,800, the S70 1.5T Flagship X is the range-topping variant of the model, which comes with the full list of bells and whistles including a body kit and a sunroof.
Measuring 4,602mm in length, 1,809mm in width, and 1,466mm in height, the S70 comes with a wheelbase length of 2,627mm, which makes it longer and wider than a Vios or a City, just to put things into perspective. Despite the rakyat-friendly price tag, the S70 looks classy and sleek, fit enough for a government official to arrive at a ceremony in style.
The funky colour choices such as the Bayou Green you’re looking at here, the strong character lines, the LED lights with daytime running lights, the striking front grille, and the sleek silhouette give the S70 that “executive” look many sedan buyers look for in a car.
Similarly, the interior build quality, finishing, and refinement are also top-notch. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the S70’s cabin looks and feels the most “high-class” since the good old Perdana V6.
The generous dose of leather upholstery, soft-touch materials, contrasting white stitching, and the bits that run across the dashboard under the air-cond vent give the interior were not only easy on the eye, but didn’t feel cheap as well.
After sitting in the S70 and fiddling with the switches, buttons, and levers, we realised that the S70, despite being priced similarly to the Vios and the City, is a far more superior product.
At the same time, components like the steering wheel don’t feel as solid as what we get in the new Civic or the Altis, but it is almost there. No complaints here as the S70 asks for like RM30,000 less than the Japanese C-segment sedans.
The seats on the other hand offer a great level of comfort even for big-sized individuals, making the S70 a very good car for day-to-day commutes and also long-distance journeys. As fun as it is to drive the S70 in a spirited manner, don’t expect BMW-level support as this is a car that was made with comfort in mind.
Speaking of driving, the S70 1.5T Flagship X shares the same powertrain package as the other variants, and also the X50 and the X70 – a three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and an (improved) 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission with Manual Mode which collectively produce 150 PS at 5,500 rpm and 226 Nm from 1,750rpm to 4,000rpm.
Even though the S70 is only about 100kg lighter than the X50, the power delivery felt much more instantaneous compared to the SUVs, although it kicks in after a small turbo lag.
The car was so eager that wheelspins were a regular occurrence every time pressed the accelerator pedal when we were leaving toll booths and traffic lights. However, once we picked up speed, it was smooth sailing all the way to speeds well over the limit.
The level of noise, vibration, and harshness was impressively low throughout our stint with the car, even when we were flooring it. As far as the ride and handling are concerned, bumps, lumps, and uneven surfaces were tolerated respectably.
Although there was minimal body roll, the S70 handles even the tightest of corners very impressively. If you want to improve the handling even further, just change the tires to grippier ones and you’re good to go.
On the downside, there is still no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as the car uses Proton’s infotainment system which takes a bit of time to get used to. There are no paddle shifters as well. Also, there is no dedicated button to switch between the various driving modes, which was a bummer.
To do so, you need to use the infotainment system, go to settings, and select vehicle settings before you can change the driving mode. Imagine having to do this while driving.
Other than that, the fuel consumption is much more economical than the X50 and X70. While the consumption is rated at 6.2 liters per 100 km, we could travel from Penang to Shah Alam with only half tank.
Last but not least, the S70 Flagship X also comes with a long list of safety and driver assistance features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, collision prevention, a 360-view HD camera, Lane Keep Assist, and the whole package.
That being said, the pros of the S70 seem to outweigh the cons from what we have seen, felt, and experienced so far.
On the upside, it is a handsome sedan that drives well, feels refined, and offers a good level of comfort and practicality, alongside a long list of standard features.
Minor setbacks such as the lack of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a drive mode selector button, and paddle shifters aside, there is no denying that the S70 offers fantastic value for money as you’re essentially getting a C-segment car at B-segment price.
