Almost four years on from the model’s original debut in 2020 and with more than 110,000 units sold across 12 right-hand-drive markets, the Proton X50 arrives for the 2024 model-year as the X50 RC, or short for Running Change.
Proton’s updated B-segment SUV is offered in the same Standard, Executive, Premium and Flagship variants, priced at RM86,300, RM93,300, RM101,800 and RM113,300, respectively, on-the-road without insurance. These are unchanged from current pricing for the X50.
As you’ll see in these images, the exterior is essentially carried over from the outgoing model. Proton makes it clear that this not a facelift, and that a more significant refresh that’s based on the Geely Binyue Cool will arrive later on in the X50’s life cycle.
Key powertrain specifications for the 2024 X50 remain unchanged, carrying over the 1.5 litre turbocharged inline-three cylinder petrol engine.
The Standard, Executive and Premium use the port-injection version with 150 PS and 226 Nm of torque, while the Flagship retains the direct injection TGDi unit with 177 PS and 255 Nm. All variants are mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox sending drive to the front wheels.
What has changed, is the origin of the X50’s engine. While the turbocharged three-cylinder mill has previously been fully imported from China, the 2024 update now homes an engine that is locally produced at Proton’s manufacturing site in Tanjung Malim, Perak.
Certainly that isn’t all, as the 2024 X50 has received improvements to its noise, vibrations and harshness (NVH) package in more than 20 locations throughout the body of Proton’s updated B-segment SUV, as well as to its infotainment system; more on that in this article.
From our brief drive of the 2024 X50 at Proton’s test facility in Shah Alam, we can observe that road noise has been suppressed compared to the outgoing iteration, and wind noise, too has been reduced slightly, albeit to a lesser extent. 2020 X50 owner Hafriz Shah notes that the wind noise from the right side has indeed been improved, but is still audible.
There are changes to the tyres specified on the 2024 X50, too. The Standard and Executive variants are now shod in 215/60R17 Goodyear Triplemax Assurance 2 tyres – like those offered on the Proton S70 sedan – replacing the previous make that was Giti. Meanwhile, the Premium and Flagship variants continue on with the Continental UltraContact UC6 in 215/55R18 size.
While the exterior of the X50 has essentially been carried over for the 2024 model, interior equipment gets updated. The central infotainment touchscreen continues to measure 10.25 inches (now marketed as 10.3-inch) across. Its processor unit is a dual quad-core item with 2 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage. Significantly, all variants get these, along with a digital instrument cluster – the Standard and Executive previously had a smaller display and analogue meters.
The updates applied to the head unit brings a 33% shorter boot-up time, and 55% quicker loading time thank to a processor that is 3.3 times more powerful, according to Proton. Improvements to the head unit also means that the X50 receives on-board Spotify for the first time. Still no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support, though.
Connectivity with the 2024 X50 is augmented by a Proton Link mobile app (available on variants Executive and onwards), which offers users remote monitoring and control of the vehicle’s functions and statues, such as remotely starting the engine and air-conditioning system.
The 360-degree camera feed also appears significantly improved following customer feedback where the image is much clearer. There is also a ‘3D Live Feed’ view where a three-dimensional image of the vehicle is shown every time the signal indicator is used (Honda LaneWatch-lite, if you will), aiding in manoeuvres.
Further convenience comes with the presence of a powered tailgate as standard on the Flagship and Premium variants, improved from previously being a cost option.
Safety equipment also remains as before, with the kit list starting at four airbags for the Standard – variants from the Executive onwards get six airbags – while the ADAS suite, comprised of AEB, FCW, adaptive cruise control, intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, remains only on the Flagship variant. This is a certainly a disappointment given offerings on the marketplace in 2024.
The range of exterior colour options has now omitted Citric Orange that was available from the X50’s launch in 2020, and the SUV is now offered in Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Ocean Blue and Passion Red.
The standard packages offered for each purchase of the 2024 Proton X50 include a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, six times free labour service, the Proton insurance programme, financing interest rates from 2.28% per annum, along with a five-year data package that offers 1GB per month.
There is also the early bird package that applies to the first 5,000 vehicle bookings for registration made by July 31, 2024. This is comprised of a RM7,000 cash discount for the Executive, Premium and Flagship variants, RM1,500 in vehicle trade-in overtrade support for Proton vehicles (RM1,000 for other makes), and RM6,000 in value-added features (new stuff mentioned above), for total savings of RM14,500, as listed by Proton.
So dear readers, do you think this smallest of updates for the Proton X50 is enough to keep it competitive four years on, especially with the introduction of newer, similarly-priced competition from other Chinese brands? Discuss below.
2024 Proton X50 1.5T Standard – RM79,200
Gets as standard:
Mechanicals
- 1.5T PFI 1.5 litre engine
- 1,477 cc multi-point injection, turbocharged three-cylinder
- 150 PS at 5,500 rpm
- 226 Nm from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm
- Seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with manual mode
- 6.5 litres per 100 km fuel consumption
- Three drive modes (Normal, Eco and Sport)
- Front-wheel drive
- Ventilated brake discs (front), solid discs (rear)
- Electronic parking brake with auto brake hold function
- MacPherson strut (front), torsion beam (rear) suspension
- 45 litre fuel tank capacity
- 1,325 kg kerb weight
Exterior
- 17-inch silver alloy wheels with 215/60-profile tyres
- LED projector headlamps
- LED daytime running lights
- LED tail lights
- Gloss black grille with red outline
- Front lower splitter with carbon-fibre print
- Rear spoiler
- Quad-exhaust pipes, rear diffuser with carbon-fibre print
Interior
- Black fabric upholstery with grey contrast stitching
- Grey headliner
- Manual front seat adjustment
- Manual air-conditioning
- Urethane steering wheel with control switches
- Digital instrument display
- Cruise control with speed limiter
- Keyless entry, push-button start
- Remote engine start
- Rear air-con vents
- 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Voice command, navigation, online weather foreceast, Joox, Spotify music streaming
- 4G and WiFi, smartphone and Bluetooth connectivity
- Four loudspeakers
- Three USB ports (one data, two charging)
- N95 cabin filter
- 330 litres boot space
Safety
- Four airbags (front and side)
- Electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control
- ABS, EBD, brake assist
- Hill hold assist, hill descent control
- Reverse camera
- Four rear parking sensors
Colours
- Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Passion Red – Citric Orange discontinued
2024 Proton X50 1.5T Executive – RM84,800
Adds on:
Mechanicals
- 1,345 kg kerb weight
Exterior
- Automatic headlamps
- Auto-folding exterior mirrors
- Front LED fog lamps
Interior
- Black faux leather upholstery with grey contrast stitching
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with function control switches
- Proton Link App compatibility (vehicle status, remote control)
Safety
- Six airbags (front, side, curtain)
- Two front parking sensors
2024 Proton X50 1.5T Premium – RM93,200
Adds on:
Mechanicals
- 1,350 kg kerb weight
Exterior
- 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels with 215/55-profile tyres
- Red-coloured brake callipers
- Silver roof rails
Interior
- Black and red faux leather upholstery with red contrast stitching
- Black headliner
- Dual-tone black and red interior
- Six-way powered driver’s seat
- Single-zone auto air-conditioning
- Front side mirror welcome lamps
- Six loudspeakers
Safety
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
- 360-degree camera
2024 Proton X50 1.5 TGDi Flagship – RM103,300
Adds on:
Mechanicals
- 1.5 TGDi 1.5 litre engine
- 1,477 cc direct-injection, turbocharged three-cylinder
- 177 PS at 5,500 rpm
- 255 Nm from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm
- 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds
- 6.4 litres per 100 km fuel consumption
- 1,370 kg kerb weight
Exterior
- Dual-tone exterior (black roof and pillars)
- Automatic rain-sensing wipers
Interior
- Panoramic sunroof, powered sunblind cover
- Automatic dimming rear-view mirror
Safety
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go function
- Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
- Intelligent high-beam control
- Auto Park Assist
- Four front parking sensors
Colours
- Adds Ocean Blue to latest colour selection
2024 Proton X50 RC Flagship
2024 Proton X50 Premium
2024 Proton X50 Executive
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hope the infortament and 360 camera can be replace on 2020-2023 model. really bad and lag the previous model. camera also not very clear
This is also what I’m wondering. I believe should be PnP. Let’s hope it is la. Looking forward to retrofit
Wow
Better than Mercedes Benz GLA
More safer than fake safety scandal japanese cars
It does feel that proton lags a few years behind its base geely models. Is there a reason they can’t be launched together at the same time?
Want to buy fast car but more premium, rather buy this X50 than buying those endless repairs from some of the European Cars
Terbaik Proton
Shouldn’t the excise duty be abolished, since proton’s price matches that of other imported models (in this case, the B-segment SUV)? The high prices of other brands are mainly due to this tax. Proton (and Perodua) were established to provide affordable vehicles, not to make excessive profits from Malaysian citizens.
Most likely X50 is slapped with high excise tax, due to high percentage of import parts.
still 4 airbags for standard variant in 2024?
X50 LCI
still no Android Auto & Apple Car Play?? what a crap!
totally SCAM
we are expecting 4 cylinders engine.
Did Proton indicate when the proper facelift is coming?
Eh, QOL updates are better than nothing I guess. Shame they didnt offer the same colour offerings available on the X90 and the S70 though. I think the darker red looks classier than the one available for X50.
Where’s the 7k discount?
Running change? More like laughing change
Still no wireless charging. The competition from other brands are tight and yet Proton comes out with a lackluster upgrade when they should be releasing a facelift…
All the hype for nothing
What’s the 7k discount about?
‘borderline shameful’.
Spot on Hafriz! They should at least mirror the safety to that of the HRV.
At least ADAS + ACC on basic variants.
I think its 64GB/4GB not 64GB/2GB
Still the terrible 3 cylinder block engine.. Good luck
do you mind sharing whats wrong with the X50 having 3 cylinder blocks?
im considering the car and so far havent seen any notable issues regarding the engine reliability / NVH despite having 3 cylinders. (based on my observation in FB owner groups)
A Proton is still a Proton…no matter what refreshing,rebooting,lah,,dont expect the QC to change drastically.
IF u r afraid of the evergreen “no stock” of spare parts issue…then look elsewhere.
After 40 years…it still has a lot of catching up,compared to Honda and Toyota.
Rival Japanese brands are not perfect.
Now,it is a matter of branding,perception and what a customer wants.
Do your own due diligence,make your covidian ringgit count.
Sini kata dapat AAACP through OTA, article satu lg kata tak dapat. Aiyooo, mana satu ni.
Waste time. Such lame facelift syok sendiri. Typical proton.
I think they should have offered at least 1 new exterior colour
they really dont have any plans to get rid of 3 cylinders
Now the engine is produce in local, So the engine will be used for many years.
The incoming facelift mentioned in the article was released by Geely in the Philippine market almost 2yrs ago, and is now offered with a ₱200K discount. This seems like a brand new old model.
Which would you rather have? Android Auto+Apple Carplay or rear axles that don’t break?
So far touchwood my Exec is doing fine at 3 years. But god damn that bloody head unit is a piece of garbage junk. It’s like they took a generic RM200 tablet from 6 years ago and put it into the car 4 years ago at launch. It’s so slow I just use it to connect to Spotify via bluetooth on my phone, or to listen to the radio. All the other stuff like maps, voice etc is just useless junk as nevigating through takes so long.
The head unit takes up to 10 seconds to boot up, so if I need to reverse when I turn on the engine, I need to wait a while. Otherwise, in terms of ride and handling, best in class (for that price point).
like that also can mentioned for new 2024 launch?
value added also mentioned on savings?
its refresh model without added features if VAP is mention saving!
and too agressive for new facelift? how other china makes ? too agressive ?
More like bug fixing version. What a joke! Bravo P1! Your market perception is nowhere near T/H/N.
The adas is only for flagship? Bro even p2 are known for selling unsafe cars are now giving adas standard across of range in their recent launched models. airbags should be six standard
Should be cheaper at least 10k cause overpriced
Come on lah proton, ones focuses in safety 10 years ago and now is literally behind p2
What an embarrassing
What a disappointment! As I am recently retired, I truly waited for this launch, planning to buy a new x50. But as the change is not substantial (and with lame excuses), I prefer to exercise my right as consumer and purchase other model, God willing.