At long last, Proton has previewed the facelifted X50 (although the company calls this an “all-new” model), some five years after the original was introduced – and just a year after the mild RC update. Making up for its tardy timing, the B-segment SUV has been comprehensively redesigned inside and out and, remarkably, sports an all-new engine.
UPDATE: Check out the live photos of the 2025 Proton X50 facelift here.
That engine is the i-GT 1.5 litre TD (turbo direct injection, not turbodiesel). Proton has not specifically said exactly what kind of mill it is, but it did reveal the outputs – 181 PS and 290 Nm of torque, increases of 4 PS and 35 Nm over the previous car. Crucially, those figures are exactly the same as the Geely Binyue L sold in China, meaning that the X50 has almost certainly inherited that car’s latest four-cylinder powertrain.
Many people would consider this an upgrade over the existing locally-produced three-cylinder, and the performance figures speak for themselves. Still paired with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive, the new mill propels the car from zero to 100 km/h three tenths of a second quicker at 7.6 seconds – and yet Proton also claims a 4.7% improvement in fuel efficiency.
For the first time, all variants get the same engine, meaning that lesser variants get a big power and torque bump over the 150 PS/226 Nm port-injected PFI three-pot. Speaking of variants, there are three this time around, those being Executive, Premium and Flagship – the base Standard is no more.
Not only is the engine from the Binyue L, but so is the entire exterior styling it seems, Proton gaining the newest design that was launched in China in November 2024 (the previous Binyue Cool, which earlier test prototypes were based on, has apparently been discontinued).
The entire front clip is new, sporting reflector LED headlights (no more projectors, unfortunately, but with triple daytime running light “eyebrows” à la the S70), a massive full-width slatted lower grille with silver L-shaped corners, and even new fenders to house S70-style chrome A-pillar extensions. The grille is also new and unique to Proton, reintroducing the red “Ethereal Bow” strip and adding alternating vertical “pins”. A reshaped bonnet has been added as well, now with fake vents.
At the back you’ll find another wholesale redesign, with full-width taillights and a new tailgate that pushes the number plate recess lower down. The bumper gains more L-shaped corners but retains the old car’s large diffuser and quad tailpipes (finally, the X50 gets one pipe per cylinder).
Elsewhere, the side skirts have been redesigned, again with a fake vent aft of the front wheels. The wheels themselves measure 17 inches in diameter on the Executive and 18 inches on the Premium and Flagship – the latter with a two-tone turbine design and a rather classy “knurled” finish on the five spokes.
Finally, the Flagship model shown here receives the “Batmobile” rear wing as previously reported – an option hitherto exclusive to the Binyue that was recently reinstated on the Binyue L on a crass new Beyond Edition. It also maintains the black roof that is standard no matter the exterior colour.
But the standout new feature is the all-new interior which, to our knowledge, is not shared with any other Geely model – despite what its China-centric design suggests. The cabin on the Flagship model continues to be two-tone (it’s all black on the others) but with the colour scheme inverted – a black upper dash and a red lower, instead of the other way around (presumably to reduce reflections on the windscreen).
Everything appears to be designed in-house, including the “floating” centre console that houses twin phone holders (the driver’s side incorporates a Qi wireless charger, again a Flagship-exclusive feature), two cupholders arranged side-by-side and a row of four buttons for air-con on and off, auto climate control, the front demister and the hazard lights.
The rest of the air-con controls have been moved into the much larger 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, now standard. The interface is ostensibly similar to the Flyme Auto system in the eMas 7 but gains features yet to be offered on that car, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Bahasa Malaysia voice control. You still of course get access to the latest Proton Link 2.0 app with the usual remote vehicle functions.
Elsewhere, the 8.88-inch digital instrument display is considerably larger than the outgoing model’s seven-inch unit, while the gear selector has been moved from the centre console to the steering column, freeing up more storage. The three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel, however, remains the same.
Other new features include a 72-colour ambient lighting system (with the X70’s “rhythmic” function) visible in the door pulls and a distinctive “looping” light band design ahead of the front passenger; this motif is mirrored in the also-new door cards. Curiously, there appears to be a large “Allen bolt head” below the driver’s side air vent, next to the repositioned engine start button.
The rest of the cabin looks identical to before, including the seats that still come with power adjustment for the driver on the Premium variant onwards. Meanwhile, the Flagship version retains its panoramic glass sunroof and adds the Binyue L’s cool half-transparent sun visors that provide some additional forward visibility while still keeping glare to a minimum.
Other bits of standard kit include remote engine start, auto lights and wipers, single-zone auto air-con, fabric upholstery and a reverse camera. The Premium adds faux leather upholstery, the aforementioned ambient lighting, a tyre pressure monitoring system, a powered tailgate and a 360-degree camera system with a new transparency function, while the Flagship throws on the exclusive features listed earlier.
Last but not least are the driver assistance systems. New rear side radar sensors are now fitted as standard, bringing features such as blind spot monitoring and the new rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert and door opening warning to the entire lineup. Unfortunately, you’ll have to step up to at least the Premium (previously Flagship only) to get the rest of the ADAS suite – yes, even autonomous emergency braking.
This is enabled through a new camera array at the top of the windscreen, which should offer improved functionality for Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features such as adaptive cruise control with stop and go and lane centring assist. Other features included in the package are traffic sign recognition and auto high beam, with the Flagship throwing on an improved park assist system. Six airbags are now standard-fit.
“By offering customers a comprehensive technology and performance upgrade together with luxurious features and combining it with exciting and sporty new exterior styling, we think Proton’s latest offering will resonate with customers from all walks of life, [resetting] the benchmark in the B-segment SUV class,” said Proton Edar deputy CEO Zhang Qiang.
The facelifted Proton X50 comes in five colours – Snow White, Passion Red, Jet Grey, Armour Silver and the new Teal Bayou Green from the S70, the latter replacing Ocean Blue. What do you think of the new X50 and especially that new engine? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
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2025 Proton X50 1.5TD Executive
Gets as standard:
Mechanicals
- 1.5 litre DOHC i-GT TD engine
- 1,499 cc turbocharged direct-injected four-cylinder petrol
- 181 PS and 290 Nm of torque
- 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- MacPherson strut suspension (front), torsion beam (rear)
- Ventilated disc brakes (front), solid disc (rear)
- 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds
Exterior
- LED auto headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- LED full-width taillights
- 17-inch alloy wheels
Interior
- Keyless entry with remote start
- Push-button start
- Single-zone auto climate control
- Auto wipers
- Manual seats
- Fabric upholstery
- Multi-function steering wheel
- 8.88-inch digital instrument display
- 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- “Hi Proton” voice control with Bahasa Malaysia option
- Electronic parking brake
- Reverse camera
Safety
- Six airbags (front, side, curtain)
- ABS with EBD and brake assist
- Stability control
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Rear collision warning
- Door opening warning
2025 Proton X50 1.5TD Premium
Adds on:
Exterior
- 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels
Interior
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Faux leather upholstery
- 72-colour ambient lighting with “rhythmic” mode
- 360-degree camera with transparency
- Powered tailgate
Safety
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- Lane centring assist
- Lane keeping assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Auto high beam
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
2025 Proton X50 1.5TD Flagship
Adds on:
Exterior
- Rear spoiler
- Black roof
Interior
- Black and red dashboard and seats
- Semi-transparent sun visors
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Qi wireless charger (driver’s side)
- Park assist
GALLERY: 2025 Proton X50 1.5TD Flagship live photos
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Wow now I really need to eat humble pie as so wrong on the engine option now would really like to see how Proton will sell the other cars.
Lost to bossku if I do see you somewhere 1 day come I belanja you for a drink since you have already consume so much of our tax payers money.
a cocky guy once said…
Bob Mal on Jun 20, 2025 at 5:04 pm
0.1% chance we will be getting the 180 PS/290 Nm 1.5L TGDi 4Cyl with 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time and also 5.9L/100KM fuel consumption as no one will be buying the X70 then.
Now we wonder what those proponent of 3Cyl engine would say especially from the Volvo guy telling us how the it makes sense for 3cyl with fuel savings.
Good because new design and engine, I think will continue to dominate the segment. Bad because aircond control are now touch-screen, previous buttons are cool.
Even though I’m not a fan of Proton, I have to admit—I really like the new X50’s interior and exterior design. This is the kind of interior the X70 should have had. However, the quality is a different story.
Gear selector shifted to steering column and without paddle shifters. Wonder how that works
Like old school cars, with the gear stalks on the steering I suppose..
i hope paddle shift will available on next facelift, i dont mind the gear moved, but paddle shifter should be added fr flagship
Like : Interior (much cleaner), new 4 piston engine.
Dislike : Front bumper (looks like empty space like someone stole the original bumper) and rear spoiler looks like one a teenager would order from shopee.
Can smoke many cars on the road already….
Where’s the Saga dude
The thing that makes me hate most Chinese/Tesla cars is no physical buttons to adjust temp/fan. And now Proton follows the same path. Our Malaysian climate is super hot+humid, unlike in China/Europe where its only hot/humid for 3 months only.
so you still using nokia phone with analog keypad?
are these 2 thing ever related?
When you are driving, your attention need to be on the road ahead. With buttons and knobs, you can feel for the controls without the need to look at it. That is why, Europe will downgrade NCAPP safety rating if car doesn’t come with physical climate controls. Just imagine, the airbus 320 replace all buttons with touch screen. See what the pilots will say.
Voice command je bro!
totally agree with you. I hate the fact that my EV doesn’t have physical climate controls. Down right dangerous. Old school might not look as cool but much better practically.
BYD cars allow three fingers AC controls anywhere on the touchscreen so you don’t even have to look at it. Swipe up/down for temp adjustment, left/right for fan speed. It’s a great feature that other car makers (Ahem Tesla) are too proud to incorporate
Tesla’s AC controls can be controlled from the steering wheel’s buttons. Do your homework lmao
Of course it is an all-new model, both the exterior and interior, including the engine, has been revised. Why still call it a facelift model? Proton is right on this for once.
Our standard has always been that unless the body structure itself has changed – i.e. there’s no recognisable carryover part, at least visually – the car is not “all-new”. Many other cars have had updates as comprehensive as this one (such as the latest petrol MINI Cooper) and we still classified them as “heavy” facelifts, and we see no need for a change.
saya setuju seratus peratus!
also, it should only be labeled as “all-new” when there’s a new chassis/platform but we all know la there’s some models from P1 and P2 still uses the same chassis/platform that has been around 20 years and still refer those models as “all-new” / “new generation”
As mentioned in their website, there are ADAS features already in the executive and premium versions. It is very clear.
We’ve added those details into the story, although we should point out that it would be a stretch to consider blind spot monitoring an ADAS feature (and I’m sure our readers don’t, either).
With new engine, revised exterior and all new interior design, this is clearly a brand new model as Proton says. Why does PT then insist it’s a facelift?
Sorry, looked up the official page https://www.proton.com/en/all-new-protonx50 and it turns out the base Executive variant gets a half functional Adas system (no front collision warning or AEB; practically the same features found in the lower S70 variants).
Blkng ok
Dalam cun
Depan… Wtf?
All new? This is what we get when an automotive company is ran by clowns.
Remember early Satrias and Wiras with 1.5 carburettored engines but badge as 1.5GLi?
How about the 1st gen Myvi, having SX and SXi when both models are fuel injected? And the difference is actually an airbag and ABS, how stupid can you get?
This model x50 really game changer with its price and specs.
The model that literally saved Proton
for while claim 3 cly is very good and FC better with Volvo tech. Then back to 4 cly. This is only happens when company shiok sendiri and claim world class manufacture
Fuel savings was all I needed to know.
Obviously apprehension over a larger engine for scant gains in performance is warranted. But if Proton’s claims are true and there is a nearly 5% FC improvement over the current 3 Cyl, then they have themselves a future X-50 customer.
EMAS5 interior,
When want to launch EMAS5 EV?
Pro- good looks, nice 4pot engine
Cons- no gear stalk in the middle , small front center a/c tht blows to ur hand and block the flow to rear passenger.
As a current x50 owner, the center a/c design really frustrated me, keep blowing to my hand/elbow. Now the coming x50 center vents even smaller, design not suitable for this country.
I am not a Proton fan but I must still say “Impressive!” in my Darth Vader voice. In order for it to sell like goreng pisang it must be priced like goreng pisang (not kari kepala ikan).
It is glad that Proton finally get a new 4 cylinders 1.5T for the facelift X50. Btw it is sad for current X50 owner. The X50 flagship year 2020 used car take in 60. The facelift change new engine the X50 used car price gonna drop at least another 15% or more.
Good – 4Cyl
Bad – No physical button for AC
Ugly – Preferred the Coolray(philippines) exterior design
The console,
There is no Gear, no brake too.
How to eBrake with this, purely based on ADAS?
The electronic parking brake button is below the driver’s side air vent.
Anyone wants to call the previous year announced X70 3cyl 1.5L TGDi engine that manages 4% fuel efficiency a bluff since this is an entirely new engine presumably the latest Euro6 Emission only manages 4.7% fuel savings?
am not sure about the front but i guess that’s subjective. the inside though is actually kind of nice. so i give props to proton for that.
i like the front bumper, remind me of 2014 Toyota Vios
Move the gear selector to the steering column?
yeah thats gonna work allright .
lots of touch screen, less buttons.
aight not for me. easy to get fck . one problem = all problmes
Move the gear selector to the steering column?
yeah thats gonna work allright .
lots of touch screen, less buttons.
aight not for me. easy to get fck . one problem = all problems
Difficult to see Proton in the hands of Geely. Everything is centered around what Mainland China wants.
Where is the gear stalk?
why does the front feels like can shave my head botak one…
Finally, the rear grip issue i have will be fixed with the new GT wing