Three years ago,Geely, a company that started life as a refrigerator maker and one that made its way into the automotive industry 14 years after Proton, inked a deal that would see them become the owners of Proton.
The X70 is the 1st in a line of rebadged Geelys that will be making its way onto our shores.A looker with strong lines and an extremely attractive price,whats not to love ? Well.....
The X70 was made with comfort in mind and it shows!NVH levels are kept to a minimum and dare i say, best in class.It irons out bumps relatively well and i really felt safe behind the wheels.There is adequate space for four adults and you can comfortably squeeze in one more for short distances.
It is however,riddles with little flaws .The HI PROTON entertainment unit is fine but it is equipped with a bang average stereo system that belong in the base model Axia.Sounds emited from the stereo are tinny and lack any depth whatsoever.The choice of materials used are miles ahead of whats found in any other Proton but still falls short of the rest of the pack.The general feel of the plastics used are above average but i still question its longevity.
The Engine is its Achilles heel.The 1.8T is sluggish and runs out of breath pretty early in the rev count.It is able to achieve speeds that would put you behind bars but it feels like an eternity to get there .
For what its worth,the X70 is an exceptional family SUV.It rides well and for its asking price,it is a steal.I can safely say that this is the best Proton to date and one that will hold its own among the likes of the much pricier CRV , CX-5 and the 3008 but ultimately fall short.
A new dawn has begun.
Rating: 3.8 / 5
