Verdict
At RM58,662 against RM59,800, the Facelift is the cheaper seven-seat Exora, but the RM1,138 saving leaves it with 125 hp and 150 Nm from a naturally-aspirated 1,597 cc engine and a five-speed manual. Spend the extra and the RC brings 138 hp and 205 Nm from its 1,561 cc turbo, plus a CVT, 16-inch alloys, Bluetooth and two rear parking sensors. Both retain a 2,730 mm wheelbase, 132-litre boot and 55-litre tank, so family packaging is unchanged; the RC is the more complete choice.
Pick the Proton Exora Mk1 Facelift if you want the lower entry price and prefer shifting its five-speed manual yourself.
Pick the Proton Exora Mk1 RC if you want the 205 Nm turbo engine, CVT automatic and more useful everyday equipment.
Key differences
- Engine: Facelift 1,597 cc naturally aspirated; RC 1,561 cc turbocharged.
- Output: Facelift 125 hp and 150 Nm; RC 138 hp and 205 Nm.
- Transmission: Facelift five-speed manual; RC CVT automatic.
- Wheels and tyres: Facelift 15-inch steel wheels on 195/65R15 tyres; RC 16-inch alloys on 205/55R16 tyres.
- Rear parking sensors: Facelift has none; RC has two sensors.
- Manufacturer warranty: Facelift three years/100,000 km; RC five years/150,000 km.
Mk1 Facelift
- RM1,138 cheaper at launch.
- Five-speed manual transmission.
- 47 kg lighter at 1,400 kg.
- Less power and torque: 125 hp/150 Nm versus 138 hp/205 Nm.
- 15-inch steel wheels instead of 16-inch alloys.
- No Bluetooth or rear parking sensors, and a shorter three-year/100,000 km warranty.
Mk1 RC
- Turbocharged 1,561 cc engine with 138 hp and 205 Nm.
- CVT automatic, Bluetooth and two rear parking sensors.
- 16-inch alloy wheels and five-year/150,000 km warranty.
- RM1,138 higher launch price.
- Heavier at 1,447 kg versus 1,400 kg.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM58,662✓ | RM59,800 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged |
| Capacity | 1,597 cc | 1,561 cc |
| Horsepower | 125 hp | 138 hp✓ |
| Torque | 150 Nm | 205 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 76 mm | 76 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 8.9 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5MT | CVT |
| Gears | 5 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Punch Powertrain |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.9 seconds | —✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | —✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h✓ | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,592 mm | 4,610 mm |
| Width | 1,809 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,691 mm | 1,691 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,730 mm | 2,730 mm |
| Weight | 1,400 kg | 1,447 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 132 litres | 132 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195/65R15 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/65R15 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 15" Steel | Full-size 16" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | — | Goodyear Assurance |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Steel | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Steel | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 4 stars — With 4 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 6 Three-point, 1 Lap-belt on Middle Row | 6 Three-point, 1 Lap-belt on Middle Row |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Audio | Radio with CD/MP3 player | Radio with CD/MP3 player, Bluetooth, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Down only | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Down only |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Manual Key |
| Locks | Remote control activation | Remote control activation |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 2 Sensors |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 150,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | Power Window Lifetime Warranty. Free labour for 1,000 km, 10,000 km and 20,000 km intervals | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
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.
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Mk1 Facelift vs Mk1 RC FAQ
Is the Proton Exora Mk1 Facelift or Proton Exora Mk1 RC better?
The Proton Exora Mk1 RC is better equipped and substantially stronger, with 138 hp, 205 Nm, a CVT, Bluetooth and rear sensors. Choose the Facelift only if its lower cost and five-speed manual are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Proton Exora Mk1 RC cost RM1,138 more than the Proton Exora Mk1 Facelift when new.
Which Exora has the stronger engine?
The RC does. Its 1,561 cc turbo produces 138 hp and 205 Nm, against the Facelift's 1,597 cc naturally-aspirated engine with 125 hp and 150 Nm.