Proton has been successful with its SUV lineup, especially after introducing the X70, X50, and the X90. However, Proton has always been a company associated with sedans, and the sedan models in Proton’s lineup are slowly aging, losing their competitiveness against newer rivals. Not wanting to be left out in this market, Proton is back with a brand-new sedan to re-enter the sedan market. This brand-new sedan is the Proton S70, giving Malaysians a chance to own a C-segment sedan at a B-segment price. In this review, I’ll be looking at the Proton S70 Flagship X variant and seeing how it stacks up against other sedans within this price point.
On looks alone, I have to say, the Proton S70 is the best-looking Proton thus far. The car loaned to me is painted in black, which makes it look very elegant. Then again, black Proton cars always remind me of government-issued vehicles. As the Flagship X variant, the latest S70 comes with a body kit and a lip spoiler not available on other variants. The Flagship X variant also gets a sunroof, which is nice to have but may not be a must for Malaysians. 
At the front, the S70 looks sharp, dominated by a large grille that allows air to flow into the engine. In my opinion, Proton took some styling cues from Volvo and Mercedes-Benz to give it a more elegant look. Besides the front grille, there is a set of full LED headlights with automatic high beams. While the S70 comes with many high-tech features, I was surprised that automatic wipers were left out. 
At the back, the vehicle is dominated by full LED taillights connected by a light bar. It gives the car a modern look, but it is becoming quite common as more vehicles have these kinds of taillights. One thing Proton is proud to show off is the light dance, where the headlights and taillights perform a dance when you unlock the vehicle. While it looks cool when showing off, it can be a tad disturbing, especially when unlocking the vehicle from the door handles. Finally, the S70 comes with a set of 17-inch rims wrapped in 205/50 R17 tires. These rims look good on the vehicle, fitting its overall design philosophy. 
Hopping on board, the S70 interior exudes a premium feel. This will definitely give most people a very good first impression. Proton managed to achieve this by using plenty of soft-touch materials around the dashboard. But if you look around, some hard plastics can still be found in the cabin. On the plus side, the placement of the hard plastics is not around the touchpoints, so it doesn’t diminish the quality feel of the dashboard. Considering the price point, I would say this interior offers more than you would expect.
In front of the driver sits a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster. In typical Proton tradition, this instrument cluster is easy to read and understand. At the center of the dashboard is the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, running the latest software seen on the X90. While this huge screen is high-definition and relatively smooth to use, I don’t find it that useful as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not available for the S70. Like other Proton models, the 360-degree camera on the Proton S70 is crystal clear and high-definition, even in low light. While the sound system isn’t special, it produces a decent sound experience. 
As for the driver’s seat, I find the front seats quite comfortable. You get decently sized side bolsters to keep you snug when cornering. The ergonomics are good as well; I don’t need to stretch to reach most buttons and switches on the dashboard. However, I wish the seat could go a little lower, but that’s just my personal preference. Sitting in the driver’s seat, the cabin gives me a cozy feeling, thanks to the tall center console, which provides a cockpit-like driving experience. 
Moving to the rear seats, I find them rather comfortable in the S70. The seat cushion is plush, making me feel like I’m sinking into the rear seats. Rear passengers get good headroom and legroom, so they won’t feel claustrophobic. Rear passengers also get two AC vents and two charging slots to make their journeys more comfortable. However, if you’re planning to squeeze in three adults, shoulder room may be limited. Another strong suit of the S70 is the large 500L boot space. It provides decent space for most vehicle owners to carry their stuff. Boot expansion is also possible, as the rear seats can be folded down. While the boot is fairly usable, I find the boot carpet a bit too budget-friendly and slippery. 
Coming to the powertrain, the S70 is powered by the familiar 1.5L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine from Geely. This is the port injection version, producing slightly less horsepower compared to the direct injection engine, to keep costs down. This engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, with power sent to the front wheels. This powertrain has the ability to produce 150 PS and 226 Nm of peak torque.
In terms of engine performance, this engine provides good acceleration, allowing the vehicle to keep up with traffic. Even overtakes can be done without breaking a sweat, thanks to the strong low-end torque, making city driving easy. Even on the highway, the car can reach the national speed limit easily. I find this engine well-suited to the vehicle’s size, never feeling underpowered. However, the engine has a lazy characteristic, which may not suit everyone’s preference. If you’re not in a hurry, this engine suits your driving style.
Regarding the transmission, it reflects the engine’s characteristics. Make sure you’re not in a hurry, as the transmission dislikes that. Starting from the clutch engagement, the programming needs some tweaking. If you get off the line quickly, the clutch engages suddenly, causing the front wheels to spin before the vehicle starts moving. But if you drive calmly, the clutch engagement is smooth.
During spirited drives, the transmission is reluctant to downshift, likely to protect it from stress. This is probably why Proton did not give the S70 paddle shifters. You’re supposed to drive the S70 calmly and let the computer decide when to shift gears. Driving calmly also results in better fuel economy. This is the most fuel-efficient engine in a Proton so far, with the lower vehicle weight contributing. During my time with the S70, I averaged 8.7L/100km. For those who drive more economically, fuel efficiency will be even better.
In terms of handling, the S70 has a rather sharp steering wheel. When I turn the wheel, the car heads in the direction I point it to. Quick direction changes are handled well. One thing I don’t like is the rubbery feel of the steering wheel, which is common with Proton. The S70 has a comfort-biased suspension setup, absorbing road imperfections well, yet it doesn’t feel detached from the road. However, with a comfort-tuned suspension, body roll can be noticeable when cornering.
As for the brakes, the S70 has sufficient braking power. The only improvement I want is for the brakes to be more sensitive. The hardware can handle the power of the S70, but it needs more tuning for a more immediate feel. The Flagship X variant comes with the highest level of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in Proton’s parts bin. One thing I like about this system is that when I turn it off before switching off the vehicle, it stays off after restarting. The different bings and bongs are also reduced, making the car more peaceful to drive.
The Proton S70 comes standard with 6 Airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Auto Brake Hold, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), and Hill Hold Assist (HHA). As for the driver assistance systems, the S70 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), Traffic Sign Information (TSI), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Door Opening Warning (DOW), and Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC).
If you’re in the market for a sedan and feel B-segment sedans are too small, the Proton S70 is a good alternative to consider. Priced at RM 94,800, the Proton S70 Flagship X is definitely worth considering. However, I think the Flagship variant will suffice for most Malaysian buyers, as the extra money only gets you minor cosmetic changes. While most buyers are looking at SUVs nowadays, I personally think the S70 is a better package compared to the new crop of Proton SUVs. But that’s just my personal preference, as I prefer a sedan over an SUV any day.
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