Aion ES vs Proton X70
Verdict
At RM106,800 each, this is a straight choice between EV sedan and petrol SUV. The Aion ES gives you a 55.2 kWh battery, 442 km EV range, lower RM70 road tax and an 8-year warranty, plus a longer 2,750 mm wheelbase. The Proton X70 hits back with 178 hp, 290 Nm, a 515-litre boot and SUV height. For a Malaysian buyer, the Aion is the lower-running-cost play on paper; the X70 is the more practical family shape.
Pick the Aion ES if you want an electric C-segment sedan with 442 km range, lower road tax and the longer warranty.
Pick the Proton X70 if you want a petrol C-segment SUV with more power, more boot space and a 60-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Fuel and drivetrain: Aion ES is electric with a single motor; Proton X70 is petrol with a 1,499 cc engine
- Output: Aion ES has 136 hp; Proton X70 has 178 hp and 290 Nm
- Battery/range versus tank: Aion ES has a 55.2 kWh battery and 442 km EV range; Proton X70 has a 60 L fuel tank
- Size: Aion ES is 4,810 mm long, 1,880 mm wide and 1,545 mm tall; Proton X70 is 4,532 mm long, 1,831 mm wide and 1,694 mm tall
- Boot space: Aion ES has 450 L; Proton X70 has 515 L
- Warranty and road tax: Aion ES gets 8 years and RM70/year road tax; Proton X70 gets 5 years and RM120/year road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 106,800 | RM 106,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Single motor | 1,499 cc |
| Power | 136 hp | 178 hp✓ |
| Torque | — | 290 Nm |
| Transmission | Automated Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 55.2 kWh | — |
| EV range | 442 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,810 mm | 4,532 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,831 mm |
| Height | 1,545 mm | 1,694 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Boot space | 450 L | 515 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | — | 60 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 8✓ | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 70✓ | RM 120 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
ES
- 442 km EV range from a 55.2 kWh battery
- Longer 2,750 mm wheelbase than the X70
- Lower RM70 annual road tax
- 136 hp is well below the X70’s 178 hp
- 450-litre boot trails the X70’s 515 litres
- Charging access matters more than with a petrol SUV
X70
- 178 hp and 290 Nm from the 1.5 litre petrol engine
- 515-litre boot is larger than the Aion’s
- SUV body gives 1,694 mm height
- RM120 annual road tax is higher than the Aion’s RM70
- 5-year warranty is shorter than the Aion’s 8 years
- Shorter 2,670 mm wheelbase than the Aion
ES vs X70 FAQ
Is the Aion ES or Proton X70 better?
The Aion ES is better if EV range, road tax and warranty matter most. The Proton X70 is better if you want petrol convenience, stronger output and a bigger boot.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference. Both the Aion ES and Proton X70 are priced at RM106,800.
Which has more boot space?
The Proton X70 has the larger boot at 515 litres. The Aion ES has 450 litres, so the X70 gives you 65 litres more luggage room.