Verdict
The Proton S70 is the sharper buy if you do not need seven seats: it uses the same 1.5 litre turbo output of 178 hp and 290 Nm, weighs 395 kg less, has a stated 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time and gives you a larger 500-litre boot. The Proton X90 is the family-hauler play, with seven seats, a much bigger body, a 60-litre tank, rear blower control, a 12.3-inch screen and multi-link rear suspension. But it also costs RM33,000 more and gives up several listed driver-assist items.
Pick the Proton S70 if you want the lower-cost, lighter five-seat sedan with stronger listed active-safety kit and the bigger boot.
Pick the Proton X90 if you need seven seats, SUV space and the richer cabin spec more than boot volume or driver-assist coverage.
Key differences
- Price: Proton S70 RM73,800; Proton X90 RM106,800
- Seats: Proton S70 5; Proton X90 7
- Boot space: Proton S70 500 litres; Proton X90 257 litres
- Size: Proton S70 4,602 mm long and 1,809 mm wide; Proton X90 4,830 mm long and 1,900 mm wide
- Weight: Proton S70 1,300 kg; Proton X90 1,695 kg
- Infotainment: Proton S70 8-inch touchscreen with 4 speakers; Proton X90 12.3-inch Atlas OS screen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and 6 speakers
S70
- Same 178 hp and 290 Nm as the Proton X90 in a 395 kg lighter car
- 500-litre boot beats the Proton X90’s 257 litres
- Gets blind spot info, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and collision warning
- Five seats only, against the Proton X90’s seven
- Manual air-con instead of dual-zone automatic climate control
- Smaller 8-inch screen and 4-speaker audio setup
X90
- Seven-seat layout with split-folding middle and last rows
- Bigger cabin footprint: 2,805 mm wheelbase versus 2,627 mm
- 12.3-inch Atlas OS screen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and 6 speakers
- RM33,000 dearer than the Proton S70
- Heavier by 395 kg despite identical 178 hp and 290 Nm outputs
- Lacks the Proton S70’s listed blind spot info, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and collision warning
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 73,800✓ | RM 106,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 178 hp | 178 hp |
| Torque | 290 Nm | 290 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Gears | 7 | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,602 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,809 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,466 mm | 1,764 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,627 mm | 2,805 mm |
| Weight | 1,300 kg | 1,695 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 257 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R16 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Giti Comfort F22 | Giti Control P10 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two middle row passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Blower control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooh, Screen Mirroring, 4 speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen Atlas OS Infotainment System with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 6 Times Free Labour Servicing | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | 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.
S70 vs X90 FAQ
Is the Proton S70 or Proton X90 better?
For most five-seat buyers, the Proton S70 is better value: it is cheaper, lighter, has the same 178 hp and 290 Nm, and carries more boot space. The Proton X90 is better only if seven seats and SUV packaging matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Proton X90 costs RM106,800 against the Proton S70’s RM73,800, so the gap is RM33,000.
Which has more boot space?
The Proton S70 has more boot space, at 500 litres versus 257 litres in the Proton X90. The X90 counters with seven seats, so its advantage is passenger capacity rather than luggage volume.