Packing the luggage, firing up Waze and bracing yourself for the toll-gate queue – balik kampung is a true Malaysian ritual. Pick the right car and everyone arrives fresh and cheerful; settle for less and your passengers may step out tired and disgruntled.
But what makes the “right” car for balik kampung? For that, we looked at the Proton e.MAS 7 – the EV that has topped the charts for four straight months since January 2025. Malaysians can be a picky bunch when it comes to cars, so what did this new kid on the block get right? Could this be the ultimate balik chariot?
Balik Kampung: Bring More of Your Kampung
In Malaysia, we celebrate each other’s festivals. The opportunity to drive long distances to our hometowns happens several times a year, and for some, several times a month. For this duty, the Proton e.MAS 7 is perfect for carrying people, their knick-knacks, and maybe a little bit of memory too.
Its official WLTP-rated range of 410 km keeps planning simple: a Kuala Lumpur to Penang run, for instance, fits comfortably within one charge, so the stops you make are for charging up yourself with coffee rather than the car.
With a 2,750 mm wheelbase and a flat floor, it offers proper legroom and generous boot space. Four tall adults can fit nicely with room to stretch. There are also a class-leading 33 storage spaces throughout the cabin, some of which are impressively sized. If you’ve got large items that need to be kept out of the sun (like food looted from mum’s kitchen), we recommend the 51-litre compartment below the boot floor, or that massive drawer beneath the rear seats.
While the festive mood is strong, road conditions often aren’t. Thankfully, the e.MAS 7’s suspension has been tuned for better body control on Malaysian roads. So if you hop off the highway and take the trunk roads instead, your passengers might not notice the potholes as much — they’ll be too busy searching for the next hidden makan spot on their phones.
And if you’re the picnic type, the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature can power a rice cooker, a grill, or even a fan, making those impromptu scenic stops a little more comfortable.
Balik Sekolah: Not Just About Schools
We all know what a modern-day school run looks like. There are tuition classes, basketball practices, birthday parties, music lessons, enough to rival your colourful Outlook calendar.
With so many stops under our punishing tropical sun, the Proton e.MAS 7’s Rest Mode is a true blessing. With just a tap, the car adjusts the ambient lighting, air-conditioning, seat position, and sunroof shades to cocoon the driver in comfort. Not something advisable in a petrol car, but in an EV, the peace and quiet (until the school gate opens, that is) comes at no cost to the environment.
If you’re worried about range, a 10-minute DC fast charge gives you around 135 km, enough for a full day’s worth of errand-running. Plus, its AEGIS Short Blade battery has been tested under conditions way harsher than our climate, and is protected by a rigid chassis built to withstand high impact.
The Proton e.MAS app makes it even easier. You can turn on the air-con remotely, check battery levels, and access major functions from your phone. Better still, the Integrated Charging Map, which covers over 90% of public chargers in Malaysia, lets you find, start, stop, and pay for charging directly from the app. So whether you’re in town or outstation, there’s always a charge point nearby.
Balik Kerja: Jam Time Is Me Time
Now that most offices are either hybrid or fully back on-site, we all have to brave the daily crawl again. If you’re going to be stuck in traffic, it helps to be stuck in something that doesn’t make it worse.
To start with, the Proton e.MAS 7’s 15.4-inch touchscreen is one of the largest among its competitors, big enough to show everything clearly in pin-sharp, best-in-class 2.5K resolution. No more cut-off song titles or awkward abbreviations while browsing your podcasts, playlists, or navigation. The screen works smoothly too, and Proton e.MAS has promised that Apple CarPlay will be coming through an over-the-air (OTA) update later this year.
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) is also great for bumper-to-bumper traffic. It keeps your speed consistent with the car in front by maintaining a safe distance. Handy on days when your own energy is running low after a gruelling day in the office. Combine that with the natural silence of a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), and you get a cabin that takes the edge off traffic jams.
The Balik that Really Matters
No matter where you’re headed, safety is non-negotiable. The e.MAS 7 scored 92.57 overall in the ASEAN NCAP crash tests, the highest for any passenger car in 2024.
That’s thanks to its Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System, which includes Automatic Emergency Braking (for moments when a motorbike swerves in suddenly), and Lane Departure Warning/Prevention (useful when your focus slips after a long drive). It also includes Forward Collision Warning, Emergency Brake Assist and more, all designed to help avoid accidents before they happen.
With all that said, nothing matters more than balik rumah safely and comfortably, and the Proton e.MAS 7 truly delivers that, and more.
This post is sponsored by PRO-NET.
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