This is it, the Proton X70 facelift. You’ve seen the first official images yesterday, and here is it in full, the first big facelift for the first Proton-Geely model, which was launched way back in December 2018. Since then, the C-segment SUV has gone CKD and received some updates, but this is a new face – do you like it?
First up, the most important aspect – aesthetics. The X70 has been looking a bit tired, and that’s not a knock on the Boyue-based SUV, it’s just ageing. Proton’s once flagship model has been on our roads for over five and a half years now with the same looks, and this is before factoring in the raft of fresh entrants in the very competitive SUV market. Some have took direct, explicit aim at the X70, and P1 has been taking the hits.
So, it’s a good thing that this facelift is a big one that really transforms the X70’s looks, so big that it’ll be a pretty costly endeavour if you try to DIY a pre-facelift car. The most obvious item is that big, bold grille; the pentagonal nose filled with Proton’s Infinite Weave design and songket diamond pins. Flanking it are full-LED reflector headlights that are much slimmer than before.
These, along with restyled front bumper, means that no one will mistake your X70 facelift from an old one. Remember the ‘susah to DIY’ part? You’ll have to get new headlamps, but note that the front fenders bonnet are also new to match the lights/grille. The shapely hood has two spines down the middle.
This is the look of the facelifted 2022 Geely Boyue, but interestingly, the rear bumper has been redesigned with horizontal (as opposed to vertical) reflectors and fake corner air outlets. This appears to be a Proton in-house designed unit and isn’t shared with any Geely model. This supposedly gives the X70 the impression of a wider stance. No changes to the tail lamps, though.
The X70 facelift gets new wheels to complete the exterior changes – 19-inch two-tone units for the Premium and Premium X, and 18-inch two-tone for the Executive.
Inside, the most obvious change is a new dashboard decor panel that again looks to be unique to the Proton. The gloss black insert is most obvious on the passenger side, which incorporates 72-colour ambient lighting with a ‘rhythmic’ function that changes colour according to the music played. Next to it is a larger ‘floating’ 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by Atlas 2.0, which debuts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in a Proton. Finally!
Note that AACP will not be available at launch, but the X70 facelift is designed for it and owners will get a free OTA update for the phone mirroring functions in due time. The IHU’s hardware has been upgraded to dual quad-core processors, 4GB RAM and 32 GB storage.
The tech upgrade also sees the USB port on the centre console side compartments to USB-C (weirdly, only on the passenger side; the driver’s side remains a USB-A port), while at the rear you get a USB-A and USB-C port each. The dash cam USB port has also been moved from the headliner to the right side of the windscreen ADAS camera module to make it more accessible.
Proton did not announce any changes to the sound system (six speakers across the range), but we did notice it has lost its Kenwood branding and the subwoofer over the spare tyre is gone. There are, however, new tweeters on the A-pillars.
Elsewhere, the X70 receives the brand’s latest three-spoke steering wheel as seen on the X50 and S70 and Stone Grey Nappa leather upholstery with a new criss-cross stitching pattern on the door cards. This darker theme replaces the previous brown. The 7.0-inch digital meter panel is no larger, but it gets new graphics from the X90/S70 for a more modern look. The fuel and temperature gauges on either side of the screen have also been redesigned.
Convenience wise, the new proximity locking/unlocking (walk away auto lock) and Nearby Auto Open hands-free tailgate would really be handy at the grocer. Basically, the car detects the key and opens the hatch – there’s no more kick sensor. We also noticed some changes to the gear lever – the design of the protrusion remains, but the park button has been moved and there’s a new shift pattern.
Another addition is the Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features to match the X50 and S70. This includes a stop-and-go function and lane centring assist added to the adaptive cruise control, plus traffic sign recognition.
The other features in the pack include Autonomous Emergency Braking, Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Lane Centring Control, Lane Change Assist (blind spot monitoring), Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Door Opening Warning and Intelligent High Beam Control. However, note that ADAS is reserved for the high-end Premium and Premium X variants, which is the normal practice for Proton.
Under the new hood, the X70 retains the 1.5-litre turbocharged TGDi three-cylinder engine from the MC, producing 177 PS and 255 Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels (no AWD variant, it’s 2WD across the board now) via a revised seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. Proton claims fuel economy of 7.3 litres per 100 km, which is a 4% reduction from the 2022 model. This has been achieved via combustion efficiency, thermal management and friction reduction, with a positive side effect of low speed NVH improvement.
The X70 facelift will be available in four variants – Standard, Executive, Premium and Premium X. Basically, the ‘X’ is the Premium with the addition of a panoramic sunroof. We’ve attached the spec breakdown below for you to see which variant gets what. As for colours, Marine Blue is new and nice, joining Ruby Red, Snow White, Armour Silver and Jet Grey.
By the way, Proton says that the latest X70 has 360 new parts and R&D took up 290,000 man hours. The SUV was then road tested for 4.2 million km. Prices have yet to be revealed, so you’ll have to stay tuned for this all-important piece of info. As reference, the outgoing model is priced at RM98,800 for the Standard, RM110,800 for the Executive, RM116,800 for the Executive AWD, RM123,800 for the Premium and RM126,800 for the Premium X.
For now, what do you think of the Proton X70 facelift? Like the new face and interior touches/updates?
GALLERY: 2025 Proton X70 facelift Premium X
GALLERY: 2025 Proton X70 facelift Premium
GALLERY: 2025 Proton X70 facelift official images
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3 cylinder?
Delighted to give thumb up
All unsold cina car keep pushing to malaysia market
Did they just slap an after market player from accessories shop to the dashboard and call it a bigger screen with AACP?
latest range rover uses similar screen setup, so can’t complain here
Why if range rover does the same, we cannot complain?
reflector LED headlights are the worst to other road users
does this use timing chain like chery
projector headlight halogen replace to LED is the most scary
This is wayyyy nicee. I like.
goodjob proton, walk away lock unlock and AACP, pressure from other brands so they better keep up, kimon la its 2024, a simple central lock at middle console below the parking sensor button susah sgt ka?? even ur entry level saga pon ada, big bro no have??
btw AACP wireless or wired Danny?
mana proton emas
No subwoofer is adding salt to the wound on an already abysmal sound system
Hey look how the new screen cheaply tacked on. It looks like when you bought clothes from shein and accessories from temu then come take a photo at great wall of china
Last time they said the same “Will get AACP via OTA updates” during S70 and X90 launch, only to be declined by themselves. I really sus about this.
finally… bring the facelifted version, instead scam like X50
will it sudden not moving while driving?
Even though this facelift might freshen up the looks of the X70, one could not deny that its kinda a bit late for them to do so. With multiple new models from competitor brand, this update seems just ‘cukup makan’ for Proton to extend the life of this model. No hybrid, same i3 engine and although it is a powerful engine for its capacity, the hefty weight of the X70 could not save itself from its fuel consumption. They could do better, but I think this will do for those eyeing the X70 for a long time. At least there will be AACP for future Proton from now on.
CarPlay again not available at launch?! Later only provide? Haha haven’t we heard this before.
Same as the All-New Alza before. Don’t you remember? After ppl get their car they need to go to SC to update the HU
But this is an over RM100k car tho?
At Least Perodua honored their promise, Look at Proton with their S70 and X90
the front looks bit more aggressive now instead of the big bowl eyes. but the back being the same, still looks as ugly as day 1. not sure why, maybe small rear window, the shape of rear light or the thick bottom cladding makes it looks like have a very high backside.
The product life cycle of cars is getting shorter every year due to intense competition.
Proton is extending it by facelifts.Botox and botox wont do the job.,Mr DRB.
From day one,the boot design has been ugly and “tongeng”.
That kind of covidic era Ringgit will buy oneself more exciting competitive margues.
Why even get AAACP but X90 not yet? They spoiling the market as X90 supposed to be flagship Proton. Now u giving all to X70 and what happens to X90 owners?
cry lo
chery giving away 5 year free service and price is lower than previous high specs X70. kemon proton. its time to give free service package in the lineup.
the outside still ugly design…its 2024 ady for god sake..not 2000’s car design haha even their competitors more ahead in design..and lastly, why on earth 3 cyclinder? try to scam out malaysian people with parts oso very hard to find one, always pre order2 ….because they know malaysian still buying it whatever reason same as honda & toyota
fan boy
Wow this Volvo tech car always impressing me.
Wah no more subwoofer and the stupid costly brand Kenwood sound system.
Headunit looks like install aftermarket