The compact EV SUV segment is about to get more interesting with the upcoming launch of the Neta X SUV. Yes, the brand that has introduced the ultra-budget Neta X in Malaysia also has a “proper” compact SUV in its lineup, albeit without a confirmed price just yet. Three variants have been confirmed for the Neta X – namely the 400 Comfort, 400 Luxury, and 500 Comfort. Its price is estimated to range between RM119,900 to RM139,900 and recently we’ve had the chance to see it in person and even drive it for a bit.
The affordable compact EV SUV segment used to only offer the BYD Atto 3 and the Chery Omoda E5 for Malaysians. Yes, there were cars like the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV, but they were a bit pricier than their Chinese alternatives. And if the Neta V was a really small EV, the Neta X rivals the likes of the Atto 3 and Omoda E5. It measures 4,619 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,628 mm tall. Its wheelbase measures 2,770 mm long and is slightly larger than its rivals.
On the outside, the Neta X adopts a rather conventional EV SUV appearance with a closed-off front end and a sleek-looking front light design that tries to give the car an overall slimmer appearance. Like its alternatives, it doesn’t scream for attention and looks rather docile. In its blue colour scheme, it does remind us of the Hyundai Kona Electric.
As for its charging port, the Neta X has decided to place it on the front right fender, and behind the charging flaps is a CCS2 port. Come round the back and the Neta X follows in the trend of the continuous taillight design of today. You could jokingly say that it looks like a Porsche Cayenne, but the same thing could be said about just any other SUV we have in the market today. The Neta X sits on a set of 18-inch wheels and the test units that we drove used a set of tyres from Chao Yang.
The propulsion system for the Neta X is standard for all variants and it is a single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) setup that makes 120 kW (163 hp metric) and 210 Nm. This setup enables the Neta X to do 0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds (or less) and achieve a top speed of 150 km/h.
The 400 and 500 variants are differentiated by their NEDC range and battery sizes. The Neta X 400 gets a 52.49 kWh battery pack that provides an NEDC range of 401 km. The Neta X on the other hand gets a 64.14-kWh battery that provides it with an NEDC range of 480 km. If anything, the Neta X 500’s range rivals that of the BYD Atto 3 Extended Range.
To charge, all variants are able to handle a maximum AC charging rate of 6.6 kW with a single-phase supply. This can charge both the Neta X 400 and 500 from 0 to 100% in 9 hours. Although its DC charging rate is not specified, data from Neta Malaysia’s website suggests that it takes 30 minutes to charge the Neta X from 30% to 80%.
Inside, the Neta X gets a rather standard Chinese EV interior with a large floating touchscreen head unit in the middle and another floating screen for the instrument cluster. It is a simple design that has become ubiquitous among the new EVs of today. Other features in the Neta X include a wireless phone charger, a powered driver seat with memory functions, and a powered front passenger seat.
As for safety, the Luxury variants are equipped with a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems. This includes items like Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Intelligent Cruise Assistance(ICA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Around View Monitoring(AVM), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Driver Monitoring System (DMS), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Lane Keep System (ELKS), Transparent Vehicle Chassis (TVC), and Reversing Camera Dynamic Guide Lines.
GALLERY
