Proton just launched its very first sedan model since its partnership with Geely – the 2023 Proton S70 today. While most would immediately flock towards the higher-end variants while ignoring the rest of the line-up, the entry-level Executive variant’s eye-catching RM73,800 made us wonder if the average Joe would be better off getting this “kosong” variant for the sake of value for money.
So what do you get or lose out on with the most affordable Proton S70 as compared to its more luxurious and expensive siblings? On the outside, you only have two colour options to choose from for the Executive variant, which includes Space Grey and Snow White which is the one you see here.
You lose out on the cooler-looking automatic LED headlights and get these manual halogen units instead. The good news is, these are at least projector units, and not the reflector ones (phew), and you still get the dash-patterned daytime running lights (DRL).
At the rear, you also lose out on the eye-catching rear taillight bar found on the Premium, Flagship, and Flagship X variants of the Proton S70. Just in case you’re overthinking already, the rear light units you get here with the Executive variant are still LED units, and share the same graphics with the higher-end variants.
Another part the Proton S70 Executive loses out against its siblings in the looks department is the smaller 16-inch alloys, rather than the larger 17-inch pair found in the Flagship and Flagship X variants.
And if you are wondering, the Premium variant also gets the same pair of 16-inch alloys, therefore the Executive variant isn’t alone in this department.
Another feature Proton has skipped for the Proton S70 Executive is the nearby auto-unlock trunk feature, which if included can be useful, but at the same time easily forgivable if missing. However, one surprising omission from the entry-level S70 is the electric door mirror with auto-fold, which even the cheaper B-segment Proton Persona gets at a starting price of RM53k (OTR, without insurance).
Moving inside, the 2023 Proton S70 Executive is (thankfully) fitted with some cool and useful features such as an electric parking brake (EPB), an 8-inch infotainment head unit, rear air vents, together with two USB Type-C and three USB Type-A ports.
That’s not all, however, as the entry-level S70 also comes with rear air vents and the remote engine start feature, which will prove itself very useful in Malaysia’s hot and humid climate.
The 4-speaker setup is easily forgivable, and we believe some of you will be happy to know that the S70 Executive comes with fabric seats instead of leather ones. Also, we can vouch that the fabric material as well as the seats found in the new Proton sedan feels rather comfortable too.
So what does the “kosong” spec S70 lose out on the inside as compared to the more expensive variants? A series of luxurious features, which you might want, but not necessarily need.
This includes a 12.3-inch infotainment head unit which still doesn’t come with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, a 10.3-inch LCD meter combination, automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver seat, a wireless mobile phone charger, 4G & Wi-Fi connectivity, a 6-speaker sound system, and a sunroof. The only feature of this long list of features which we think someone would actually need is the 360-degree view camera with 3D display.
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Here comes the part where Proton did not compromise with the Proton S70 Executive – its powertrain. Powering the entry-level variant of Proton’s new C-segment sedan is the same 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder MPI engine that is also found in its more expensive siblings, as well as the lower variants of the Proton X50.
Even though it produces lesser power than Proton’s more powerful 1.5-litre turbo TGDi engine, this mill is no slouch whatsoever. Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), the sedan puts out a total of 150 hp (metric) and 226 Nm to its front wheels.
Suspension-wise, the Proton S70 Executive shares the same suspension setup with the higher-end variants. It also enjoys the same Proton ride and handling magic the local carmaker has put in.
If at this point, you are thinking “Hmm, I can easily live with the S70 Executive”, we don’t mean to burst your bubble, but here comes the part that might become a potential deal breaker for some of you – safety.
Unlike Proton’s homegrown models like the Proton Persona, Iriz, Saga, and Exora, which have been around for quite a while, the Geely Emgrand-based Proton S70 in its Executive form still comes with some fundamental active and passive safety features.
This includes lane change assist (LCA), rear collision warning (RCW), rear cross-traffic alert, (RCTA), and door opening warning (DOW), along with a total of six airbags.
But when compared to its more expensive siblings, the Executive variant does lose out quite a bit, and you might understand the reason behind its attractive price tag.
First and foremost, the Proton S70 Executive does not come with front parking sensors, nor a reverse camera, leaving us wondering about the purpose of having an 8-inch head unit in the first place.
It is also missing the ADAS features found in the Flagship and Flagship X variants, which include a long list of safety features. This consists of autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning (FCW), adaptive cruise control (ACC) with stop & go, intelligent cruise control (ICC), lane departure warning (LDW) and so on.
So, is the Proton S70 Executive with its RM73,800 price tag a value-for-money proposition? Or would you rather top up a couple of grand more for more features? Let us know in the comments!
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