The Proton X70 and X50 have been a big hit among Malaysian buyers, and these 2 models alone have brought Proton back from the brink of bankruptcy. Following the success of these 2 models, Proton further introduced a 3rd SUV into the Malaysian market. This is the Proton X90, which is poised to compete against D-segment SUVs such as the Mazda CX-8 and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace. Being a local brand, Proton does have the upper hand in terms of pricing. But this time round, I will be checking out the Proton X90 Flagship, and see if it has the ability to bring the fight to the more expensive competitors.
Based on looks alone, I think the X90 is a decent-looking SUV. But if you’re hoping that it’ll stand out from a sea of SUVs, I don’t think the looks of the X90 have the capability. Thanks to the full LED headlights and taillights, the X90 does not look out of place in a modern-day setting. The headlights are even enhanced with automatic high beam capability, which can help the car to provide even better illumination on dark roads. Beside the headlights, the X90 comes with a 3D pattern front grille, and it gives this SUV its distinctive looks. 
Moving to the back, the design of the rear of the X90 is more universal. There is a large piece of tailgate that takes center stage on the back. The tailgate comes with Proton wording, which is consistent with other Proton models. The rear of the vehicle is on the boxy side, which I’m not a huge fan of, but then again, everyone has different preferences. And to top it all off, the X90 comes with 19-inch rims, wrapped in 235/50 R19 tires to provide balanced grip all around the vehicle. 
As for its interior, the X90 comes with a more modern interior compared to the X70 and X50. This is because the X90’s interior looks much cleaner, and the fit and finish are quite good. The interior also feels quite premium, thanks to the use of more soft-touch materials around the upper part of the dashboard. Then again, you’ll still be able to find some hard plastics at the lower part of the dashboard, which is pretty much expected. In front of the driver, there is a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, and it comes with a high-definition screen, and the information on it is really easy to read. 
As for the infotainment screen, it takes center stage on the dashboard, and it’s measured at a 12.3-inch widescreen configuration. Sadly, Android Auto and Apple Carplay are still not available in the infotainment screen. For such a huge vehicle, I’m quite happy that Proton even includes a 360-degree camera to help the driver to navigate tight situations. This 360-degree camera is really sharp, and it’s also pretty clear even in the dark. While Proton never specified what speakers they use in the X90, I can report back that the sound system is really good. It produces good sound quality, which is nice to have. 
Getting into the driver’s seat, the X90 has quite a tall driver’s seat that is expected from an SUV. Even at its lowest point, I still want it to be lower to make the driver feel more cocooned. But when you compare it to the X70 and X50, the seating position of the X90 was much better compared to those 2 models. While the seating position is fairly decent, I find that the cushion is on the harder side. Then again, I still find the seat comfortable even over long distances. 
Being the flagship variant, the 2nd-row seats come with 2 individual captain seats. This makes the X90 a 6-seater SUV just like the Kia Sorento that I checked out not too long ago. The 2nd-row seats are really comfortable, where they provide plenty of headroom and legroom to stretch. The 2nd-row seats even get ventilated seats, which really enhances the comfort levels for 2nd-row passengers. And onto the 3rd row, it is surprisingly comfortable to be in. Just like all 3rd-row SUVs, you sit more in a squatting position, but it doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all. The headroom is decent, and I wouldn’t mind traveling long distances in them too. But I have to say, the seatback is quite upright, which can make falling asleep back there not easy. 
Especially for this top-of-the-line variant, it comes with a large panoramic sunroof. This literally enlightens the cabin making it feel more spacious. And to keep such a large vehicle constantly cooled, the X90 comes with roof-mounted AC vents for the 2nd and 3rd-row passengers. The rear passengers can even control their fan setting to suit their needs. But the controls are only available in the rear, so the driver has no authority in controlling the fan speed in the back. With all the seats up, the X90 comes with 257L of cargo space, which is pretty small for such a huge vehicle. Owners might need to sacrifice the 3rd-row seats if they have the intent to carry bulky items in the boot. While you can also fold down the 2nd row, it doesn’t really turn into a flat floor to slide things forward. 
The Proton X90 is powered by a familiar 1.5L turbocharged 3-cylinder direct injection engine that has been powering the X70 and X50. But for the X90, it has been updated with a 48V mild hybrid technology to help improve efficiency. This engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, with power only being sent to the front wheels. This powertrain has the ability to produce a maximum of 177 hp and a peak torque of 255 Nm. 
On the go, this engine does provide sufficient power to allow you to keep up with traffic. Then again, don’t expect the X90 to break any speed records; it’s an SUV anyway. But when I’m driving, I notice that this engine is not really that reactive towards the throttle input. It does take some time to downshift when you step on the throttle pedal. I prefer a more reactive powertrain, but that’s my own preference, most people will be happy with the performance of the X90. If you really want to unleash this vehicle’s full potential, just switch the drive mode to sport mode, and the vehicle will be more reactive. But as you do that, you will find that the fuel consumption decreases quite rapidly. During my time with the X90, I only managed to get around 11.5L/100km of fuel economy figure. This is considered high when the engine only has a 1.5L capacity.
As for the ride of the X90, comfort is the name of the game here. The suspension is tuned towards the comfort side, and it soaks up all the road imperfections without even breaking a sweat. But with this comfort-based suspension, the body roll tends to be more obvious when you’re tackling corners with the X90. Due to its long wheelbase, it manages to keep the vehicle stable even in the corners. Be aware though, this is quite a heavy vehicle. I do feel the weight of the vehicle when I change direction quickly.
Moving on to the steering system, the steering on the X90 is actually quite nicely weighted. This gives the driver good feedback and confidence when you’re tackling the corners. Then again, the steering system is set up for comfort driving, so it loses out a bit in terms of directness. During my time with the X90, I also noticed that the bump steer is quite obvious when going over uneven roads. As the driver, it is best to avoid those uneven road patches if you don’t want any sudden steering movements.
Brakes wise, I think the brakes on the X90 do a pretty decent job to slow this large SUV down. I like the brake pedal feel and feedback, it gives the driver plenty of confidence that you can slow the vehicle down within the desired distance. And for safety, the X90 does not hold back on the list of ADAS when you get this flagship variant. While this system does keep the vehicle safe, I would prefer to have the ability to switch some systems off totally like the lane departure prevention system, as it pulls quite aggressively when it detects the vehicle swerving over the line slightly. 
The Proton X90 Flagship is equipped with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Auto Brake Hold, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Hold Assist (HHA), and Hill Descent Control (HDC) as the standard safety systems. As for the driver assistance systems, the X90 comes with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Lane Centering Control (LCC), Emergency Lane Keep Assist (ELKA), Traffic Sign Information (TSI), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Auto Park Assist (APA).
With a price tag of RM 152,800, you do get a lot of car for the money. Proton has created a vehicle that meets the criteria for those looking for a 6/7-seater SUV. While there is still room for improvements on this SUV, I think most buyers would be happy with what they get in the X90. At this price point, I don’t think you can get any large SUV as comfortable as the X90 when it comes to ferrying people.
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