When the Proton X70 was launched in December 2018, buyers were offered four variants to choose from, which included an Executive AWD option for those who required all-wheel drive. However, looking at the revised variant line-up of the recently-launched 2020 X70 CKD, you’ll notice that the all-wheel drive model has been dropped entirely.
While the variant count remains the same as before at four – Standard 2WD, Executive 2WD, Premium 2WD and Premium X 2WD – the locally-assembled SUV is now front-wheel drive only. So, why did the national carmaker decide to proceed with this move?
The short answer is that there is just not that many customers interested in an all-wheel drive variant. Up until now, around 29,000 units of the X70 CBU have been delivered, and from that figure, around 50% of buyers opted for the then range-topping Premium 2WD variant.
By comparison, only 5% of buyers went with the Executive AWD option, and when there’s a lack of demand, a drop in supply is usually warranted. In the case of the X70 CKD, the low demand for all-wheel drive with the CBU version prompted the national carmaker to forgo an all-wheel drive option altogether.
Given that the previous Premium 2WD was the only variant that came with Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) – it can be presumed that customers preferred to have a host of safety and driver assistance features over an all-wheel drive system.
Those who are for all-wheel drive would welcome its sure-footedness, while detractors will bring up the additional running/maintenance cost that typically comes with the added complexity of such a system. On the latter, the difference in maintenance costs over 150,000 km/7.5 years for the 2WD and 4WD variants is only RM129.68 following Proton’s service schedule for the X70 CBU.
Of course, some would prefer to have ADAS and all-wheel drive in one package, but as Proton doesn’t offer a variant with both features, we’ll never know if there’s any market appeal should it be introduced to the market. What are your thoughts on the matter? Would you be interested in an even higher-spec X70 with both AWD and ADAS? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
2020 Proton X70 CKD Infohub
- 2020 Proton X70 CKD launched: Volvo 7DCT, +15 Nm, 13% better economy, more features, RM95k to RM123k
- DRIVEN: 2020 Proton X70 CKD with 7DCT full review
- 2020 Proton X70 CKD – why it retains its 1.8L turbo engine
- DRIVEN: 2020 Proton X70 CKD seven-speed wet DCT
- 2020 Proton X70 CKD 7-speed wet DCT – “reliability and smoothness issues are in the past”
- Proton X70 CKD 7-speed wet DCT: more efficient than VW DSGs
- 2020 Proton X70 CKD to get 7-speed wet DCT
GALLERY: 2020 Proton X70 CKD official images
An “SUV” without AWD is just a tall hatchback. As best, it can be called a crossover.
That goes to Honda and Mazda as well with their lower variants of CR-V and CX-5.
Big respect to Subaru for standard symmetrical AWD on Forester and XV. These are real SUVs.
Lol! Becoz Subbies don’t have any other config except AWD, and that is why they suck more petrol compared to FWD SUVs from other makes. This is the reason why X70AWD was dropped, people driving on normal roads don’t find the need for AWD performance.
How’s ur sales Subbies? Resale Value even worst than Proton….
Funny, if an SUV without AWD is just a tall hatchback, what would you call a hatchback or sedan with AWD? A short SUV? And a long boot SUV? Clearly AWD doesn’t define an SUV.
Beside AWD doesn’t do much in everyday driving on the road other than when it’s slippery, wet road. Even for that matter, FWD with VSC is adequate for MY weather. If you’re off-road more often, you’re better with 4X4 rather than AWD.
Hatchback/sedan with AWD
– performance variant
– more capable model
– improved traction option
– all-weather grip pick
What’s so difficult to understand? You don’t call the old Evo or WRX an SUV don’t you? Funny fella lah you.
Why would a family man want a performance SUV in a Proton?
Reality is, an SUV is still an SUV, regardless of AWD or not. That’s the point.
What so difficult to understand?
How many of us need AWD in daily drive? With add on AWD the car will gain more weight and eventually bring high fuel consumption. You pay big respect to Subaru but did you know Subaru is well known as thirsty monster of fuel.
AWD is particularly important for high power and high torque vehicles. If torque is high but 2WD the wheelspin will happened frequently. But for car like X70 the torque is 300nm although is good but the car is too heavy and it does not need AWD. AWD in fact will put more burden to slowing down the vehicle while consuming more fuel.
Easy to tell apart the actual subaru owners and those who google about AWD looking like they know what they are talking about.
It’s never a requirement for SUV to have AWD or 4WD. In some country like US, SUV is somewhat described as a station wagon with “usually” four-wheel drive setup. That means that it’s not unusual for an SUV to not have four-wheel drive. But that’s in the US. In Malaysia and neighboring countries, SUV is not usually translated to a “four-wheeled drive vehicle”. We mostly refer to those type as “FourByFour (4X4)” instead.
I have a feeling that the real reason is that they lack of the technical expertise to assemble the AWD car… and of course it doesn’t make sense to source for AWD parts where only 1 variant will be using.
There is no additional technical challenges from assembling FWD to AWD cars. There is just less appreciative market demand for AWD making it nonviable to continue with this option. Plain and simple.
You feeling is wrong man. How hard to get technical expertise to fix when you can always go back to SC to get it fix. All SC have to strictly follow the service guideline set by principal. Even the CR-V AWD isn’t selling well. AWD is weight higher and consume more fuel than 2WD.
OK lah, this one is funny I will give you that.
Malaysians are so disappointed with the diskaun we got for CKD car.
Is this the company we sacrificed to much for?
Work harder if you cannot afford it. Stop complaining.
I hope Geely and Li Chunrong observe the CKD QC. Otherwise without supervision, Proton will mess up again and gave us X70 with Game Over quality
No problem there. Our DRB workers are top notch, even VW admitted their Wolfsburg German workers aren’t as capabled as our Pekan mari boys. So I’m no doubt Dr Li & Geely are more than happy with the staff they inherited.
If DRB was top notch, why did the PRoton brand fail the past 20 yrs and only did well when Li Chunrong and Geely took over?
DRB failed because they were strangled by their old man advisor. Now with Geely and Dr Li having freedom to make business decisions w/o an old man meddling, you are seeing Proton is flying high. They basically have the same setup, same people, same products but they are getting more successful. What’s the difference? Ans: Geely coming and their old advisor leaving.
As a patriotic Malaysian, i expected the price to be lower and affordable. After all, Proton is meant to be the people’s car. I want to support barang buatan Malaysia.
NowP roton is catering to the rich..rakyat cry cry
DRB was the sole cause of Proton losing its marketshare. In early 2000, Proton was doing very well
Good China is showing us how to run a car business
Still beyond reach of Malaysians. We sih it was far cheaper.
Their CBU quality was lousy to begin with. Even their prized possession, Volvo have lousy quality as reported in survey.
Because nobita said ckd will be more expensive than cbu
This is assembled here mate. Whatever virus will have died by the time you get the car. Happy buying folks!
as above
Malaysians especially Proton fanboys were expecting RM70k to RM80k
As above what Gary said.
Malaysians today so disappointed that CKD prices are nearly the same as CBU prices
I am not disappointed at all. My X70 RV is still intact with the new pricing. I am glad Proton didn’t cheapen the car.
Tahniah P1! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
So disappointed. The car is cheaper and have extra features. I bought my x70 first batch.. Means no value already now. My car maybe drop 50k come 2021.
Comments like this are why there are still racial problems in Malaysia. I bet you dont even wash your hands. Another reason why you hid your name because you are shallow and ignorant.
Great car, fantastic to see CKD developed by Malaysians for Malaysians!
You mean yourself Mr.Xav? Why don’t you put your profile here as well since you’re such a popolar person?
The CKD wasn’t developed by Malaysians, it was jointly developed.
Sendiri kentut cakap bau sedap.
Sir. This model in locally assembled. The CBU one is already discontinued. For your information, coronavirus cannot survive without host for a long time especially when some of the parts come long way from China
Proton/Geely don give lame excuse. A lot of customers asking for ADAS and AWD together. People are willing to pay for it
Only u? Most Buyers don’t really want it, bcos seen useless for town use. Yet it consume more fuels.
nice try proton salesman
Why not you do your own research first and then show proof of what you said to disprove of their own research. Facts and numbers don’t lie. Show proof that there are really a lot of customers out there who are willing to pay for what you said. Otherwise, you’re just blowing hot air and nothing else.
where are your facts and numbers then
You make the statement, now your asking others to prove it with their facts and numbers? Good joke man.
he claims to have facts and numbers. im merely asking him to prove me wrong.
Got air purifier in the car.
I think plug in hybrid should be main priority. All those gov fleet should use it and promote the hybrid at the same time
if there’s an awd version with all the premium x’s specs, would be great, even if it has a long waiting to make one by order…
Because the AWD variant did not come with full specs
Only mazda 2.2 diesel, santa fe and sorento were sold with all wheel drive and full specs
Offer a AWD premium model and see the response…..c’mon proton… buyers nowadays are not willing to trade safety features …They want it together with AWD as a complete package. I was hoping for a premium AWD model ….now you’ve lost 1 customer.
No AWD? Sucks mate! Was looking forward to it
AWD price RM115.8k
New premium price RM119.8k
Premium X RM122.8k
hmm…i think the AWD is a bargain ^^
In a country with rain almost allover the year, an AWD is useful. The very weird thing is, most of AWD models in Malaysia “except Subaru” offer the AWD with loser specs than the premium! which is the real reason behind less demand on AWD models.
difficulty in servicing as most malaysian service have really poor technicians
The said awd low demand? because they not offer awd variant with premium spec before. So people want the premium spec no choice to choose 2wd. Oh come on, no meaning suv without awd.
I will only buy an SUV with AWD. Even better if it includes all the safety features.
How many people willing to pay RM130k for X70 if the premium come with AWD.
I am willing, of course….
What a lame answer as to why people do not buying enough of the AWD version….The previous AWD version simply was not sold as a Premium….It was only sold in the Executive version MINUS all the functional high end items equipped in the Premium version….so that’s why customers opt for the Premium 2WD instead….Sell it in Premium AWD option with all the extra items, and only that you will know the answer….:(
We don’t drive in snow or dessert. No need AWD.
u never been to sabah and sarawak, where the roads are not roads at all?
oh yea..i guess whatever….sabah and sarawak doesnt matter anyway
Guys… It may be due to the fact that the new 7 speed DCT is not designed for AWD application, hence the decision to offer only FWD models. Was reading an article that Boyue Pro models are only FWD. Maybe anyone can confirm that ??
There are 7DCT models with AWD in China – not the Boyue, but other models under Geely, Volvo and Lynk & Co. It’s a conscious decision not to have an AWD variant here, not forced upon Proton.
Why all car manufacturers never know what people want is the full spec variant? The same goes to manual car, you always offer manual car with the lowest spec, how you want people to buy it?
I hope proton will bring back the X70 AWD with full spec including ADAS.
#x70awdforeastmalaysia #budaksemenanjungracis #eastmalaysiapower