Among the biggest highlights of Geely’s acquisition of Proton was the transfer of the former’s bestselling Boyue to the national carmaker, as the basis of its first ever SUV model. We went to Geely’s headquarters in Hangzhou to see just how good (or otherwise) the car is.
The Boyue sits squarely in the middle of the C-segment SUV market, being slightly smaller than the Mazda CX-5. A strict five-seater offering, it is available with a range of engines, with the most powerful being a 181 hp/285 Nm 1.8 litre turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine on the car you see here. That’s paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and a choice of either front- or all-wheel drive.
Geely’s trump card is the sheer amount of kit available, including a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, a 3D 360-degree camera and a fully-featured infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen, WiFi, Apple CarPlay and a very impressive Siri-like voice control system. It is also offered with a full complement of safety features including autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
Want to know how the Geely Boyue drives? Watch as we put what will be Proton’s most important model through its paces. You can also read our first impressions review here.
The Geely Boyue offers a very comfortable and refined ride with a plush, high-quality interior, making it a competitive package - though its performance is not very fast, with slow throttle response and transmission.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments express skepticism about Proton rebadging the Geely Boyue, noting it may be based on older designs and questioning its suitability for the Malaysian market. Some believe the car's pricing, features, and outdated technology may hinder sales, while others emphasize Proton’s past failures with outdated models. There are concerns about Proton's engineering capabilities, costs, and whether this SUV will meet local tastes or succeed internationally. Overall, sentiments highlight doubt about the vehicle’s potential success and questions about Proton's strategic direction.