Proton is going all out to promote its entry-level electric vehicle, the Proton e.MAS 5. As the cheapest EV currently on sale in Malaysia, the e.MAS 5 has been attracting a large number of first-time EV buyers to give electric mobility a second look — and the booking figures reflect that. Although we previously tested the e.MAS 5 on Proton’s test track, it was clear that the experience wasn’t fully representative of its real-world capabilities. Recently, Proton invited the media for a proper real-world drive, and this is how the vehicle performed through various challenges.

The e.MAS 5 is available in two variants: Prime and Premium. For this media drive, Proton prepared up to 10 e.MAS 5 Premium units to ensure a fair and consistent experience. The Premium variant is currently priced at RM69,800 before year-end. It is powered by a single electric motor mounted at the rear — unlike the larger e.MAS 7, which is front-wheel drive. The motor produces 116 PS and 150 Nm of peak torque, fed by a 40.16 kWh battery that provides up to 325 km of range.

To begin our journey, Proton challenged us to fully utilise the e.MAS 5’s interior space. We were asked to load the vehicle using whatever items we had on hand and fill up its various storage areas. It wasn’t difficult, but the point was clear: the e.MAS 5 offers ample storage compartments for families. After that, we headed to several locations to capture exterior and interior shots. During this phase, we also had to drive frugally to achieve good energy consumption results at our fourth stop — more on that later.

Now, let’s talk about the driving experience. The e.MAS 5 delivers the silent, smooth feel you’d expect from an EV. It has just enough power to get you up to speed, though you shouldn’t expect the punchy acceleration found in more powerful EVs. Comfort is where the e.MAS 5 truly shines. It’s an easy car to relax in, and you might even find yourself dozing off in the rear seat. The suspension leans on the softer side, ironing out road imperfections with ease. I didn’t push the vehicle hard enough to comment deeply on its handling, but based on this drive, the standout impression is its comfort.

Next, we headed into KL — specifically Jalan Alor — for some durian. While the durian was a treat for some media members, this stop allowed us to experience how the e.MAS 5 handled KL’s busy roads and also test out its frunk. The frunk isn’t huge, but it’s meant for storing small items you don’t want in the cabin. And what better test than durian? As someone who isn’t a durian lover, I appreciated that not a whiff of the smell made its way into the cabin once the fruit was stored up front. This demonstrated the frunk’s real-world usefulness.

Throughout all these challenges, the energy consumption race was still ongoing. Careful driving was required until we reached the fourth station at Bamboo Hills. Here, we recorded our consumption numbers and recharged the car for 21 minutes. My team achieved an impressive figure of 10.8 kWh/100 km, while another team managed an even better 9.6 kWh/100 km — though achieving that certainly required very cautious driving. And why 21 minutes of charging? According to Proton, the e.MAS 5 can charge from 30–80% within that time. Since we didn’t drop below 80%, we simply topped up to full.

After charging, it was time to head up to Genting. Although I wasn’t driving this segment, I was seated in the back — and even with the legendary Uncle YS at the wheel, I still managed to doze off on the climb. That says a lot about the e.MAS 5’s comfort. The car handled the twisty sections well, though the power delivery occasionally felt hesitant when a sudden demand for acceleration occurred. It’s not a major issue, and Proton can likely solve it through a software update.

To conclude, at this price point, it’s extremely hard to fault the e.MAS 5. It meets the needs of most buyers shopping in this segment. Many will likely buy it as their first EV, but as a second car — it’s still a bit risky to rely solely on one EV. However, as a city runabout, you really don’t need to look any further. There’s simply no other EV at this RM70k price point, and certainly not one this spacious. In fact, some people even prefer it over the larger e.MAS 7. You’ll just have to test it for yourself to fully understand why.