"2023 Proton X90 1.5L Mild Hybrid: First Drive Review and Assessment of Power Capability for a Three-Row SUV"

We got the chance to test drive Proton's latest SUV, the X90, which is their third X model following the X70 and X50. It's supposed to be their flagship model, but our initial thoughts reveal that it's not as straightforward as it seems. Although it's bigger than the X70 and has three rows of seats, it's not necessarily better. We'll explain more about our experience in a later section.

You might have already learned about the Proton X90 and have a clear idea of what it offers if you read Hafriz's detailed explanation. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to film during the static preview. To summarize:

The X90 is an SUV belonging to the D-segment, and it takes its roots from the Geely Haoyue. In some markets such as the Philippines, the Haoyue is also called the Geely Okavango. Proton has utilized the X90 moniker for the right-hand-drive VX11, which will be transported from Tanjung Malim as a completely knocked down (CKD) unit. This decision has been made to conform with the local naming style and also to position the X90 above the X50 and X70 SUVs.

The X90 is bigger than the X70 by 316 mm in length and 69 mm in width, measuring at 4,835 mm and 1,900 mm respectively. Additionally, the X90 has a longer wheelbase of 2,815 mm, which is 145 mm more than the X70. As a seven-seater, it will be in competition with SUVs with three rows of seats such as the facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, and the Mazda CX-8, which is larger than the X90. The X90 sits in between the Santa Fe and CX-8 in terms of size.

The X90 SUV follows the usual trend for its size, offering a choice of either seven seats (2-3-2) or six seats (2-2-2), with the latter being the more luxurious option. The Flagship version is the only one offering the six-seat option with individual "captain seats" in the middle row, while the Standard, Executive and Premium models have a bench seating for three.

Different from the X50 and X70 models, all versions of the X90 exclusively feature the same engine. This particular 1.5 TGDI unit is well known in the X series; however, it has been enhanced through the integration of a belt-starter generator system (BSG), effectively converting it into a mild hybrid. Proton has named this technology "48V EMS," which can be noticed by the emblem located below the wing mirrors, and it represents a blend of electric motor and gasoline engine power.

The EMS system is made up of six main parts – the BSG, DC-DC converter, lithium-ion battery that fits in a shoebox and is located in the boot floor, battery management system, recuperation braking system, and hybrid module control system. The transmission includes a seven-speed wet dual-clutch system that operates the front wheels exclusively, and there is no all-wheel drive version available.

The X50 Flagship and X70 MC have a 1.5 liter three-cylinder turbo engine that generates 177 PS and 255 Nm of torque. By using the BSG, an extra 13 PS and 45 Nm are added to the total output, increasing it to 190 PS and 300 Nm.

When compared to the X70's 1.5 TGDI without the EMS system, Proton boasts that the mild hybrid engine enhances the car's standing start acceleration by 10% and passing acceleration by 15%, while also reducing CO2 emissions by 13%. However, it's important to keep in mind that the baseline being referred to is the X70's smaller size. Because the X90 is a larger vehicle, any form of assistance is appreciated.

In addition to providing torque support, there are also various comfortable advantages to having a BSG mechanism. With the auto start-stop feature, the engine will shut down when the vehicle is at rest. Through "comfort start," the vehicle can have a gentler and quieter launch during acceleration. By disengaging the gearbox when coasting at speeds ranging from 30 to 120 km/h, "smart glide" can decrease engine braking, resulting in a more seamless experience. Furthermore, the engine will switch off at less than 15 km/h during deceleration instead of completely stopping, which provides better fuel efficiency and reduces vibrations when starting and stopping the engine.

Did we detect the mild hybrid's operation? Not particularly, but it's great that it works in the background without being noticeable. I have a feeling that most drivers won't recognize the benefits of the system, which improves comfort and power, without understanding the EMS and its function. Since it's essentially silent at lower speeds and the tachometer isn't in the typical analog format, it may go unnoticed. However, a seamless experience is preferable.

The X90 is pleasant and cozy to drive at low speeds, but I noticed that there was more noise coming from the road when compared to the X70. Additionally, the sound of the engine was more prominent when accelerating and the TGDI engine in our test version had a harsh, almost diesel-like sound without the accompanying vibrations. This was unexpected since I was anticipating a quieter ride similar to that of the X70. However, this is understandable as the X90 is meant to be the top-tier model in the lineup.

I wanted to confirm something, so I asked my colleagues from Paultan.org BM and CN. Three of us were riding in the car with a Proton representative. They agreed with me that there was something we could hear. It is important to mention that the X70 is very quiet, and the X90's noise levels are not bothersome. However, it is something to take note of.

Proton engineers were asked about the NVH for the X90 and they claimed it is either the same or better than the X70. It is important to mention that the media preview vehicles were not finalized productions. Nonetheless, we are looking forward to conducting a thorough test drive of the X90 upon its release.

Did you know that the X90's engine is fully visible when you open the hood? You might have noticed that the X70, and to a lesser extent the X50, have engine bays that are fully enclosed, making all the mechanical parts out of sight. This is quite common in China and was also seen in some of the Cherys we recently reviewed. We're not making any assumptions, just sharing this interesting observation.

We all agree that the X90 isn't a speedy ride, and this opinion isn't up for debate. While speed can mean different things to different people, we're talking about how it stacks up against other SUVs available. When you push down on the gas pedal, there's a brief pause before the car accelerates, which you can feel. Passing other vehicles on the road takes a lot of work and time, and you can hear the engine working hard. Even with four adults in the car, it's not a smooth and effortless ride.

When climbing up Genting, we had to use a lot of gas and it was easy to lose momentum. The X90 SUV doesn't have a lot of power or speed, but this isn't a huge problem unless you're a taxi driver on Genting or really love the activities at the hill resort. For the majority of people, the SUV performs well enough for a family car.

The road we were driving on during our test didn't have any potholes or uneven areas, but we believe that the X90 SUV will still perform well in city environments. On highways, the SUV doesn't feel too bouncy or cushiony, and the car stays stable when we go around sharp turns. The steering has a good balance of weight and speed and feels natural to use. It was surprising to see how nice the X90 is to drive, especially since it was built for the Chinese market.

From my perspective, the X90's interior has its pros and cons. The Premium model we tested had a sizeable 12.3-inch touchscreen in the center and digital gauges. This improvement over Proton's other SUVs that had square screens surrounded by physical gauges is noteworthy. The graphics are impressive, and the advanced technology feel is undeniable. Furthermore, the camera feed quality is top-notch. What caught my attention was that the on-screen image of the X90 can be customised to reflect the car's colour and even number plate!

The car doesn't work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you have to rely on the built-in maps on the ATLAS OS. I have a story to tell about this. My colleague, Jason, was driving us back to Proton COE from Genting, and I fell asleep in the passenger seat. When I woke up, I was surprised to see that we were in the middle of Jalan Kuching's traffic with Sogo on my right. I asked Jason about it, and he explained that he purposely followed the navigation as an experiment. He could have taken a different route from MRR2 to DUKE that would have taken us to the NKVE and Subang, but he wanted to try this route instead.

After taking a detour, the navigation system directed us towards Jalan Syed Putra and chose the Federal Highway instead of the NPE route (located near Midvalley), causing more traffic. Although it could have been trying to avoid toll roads, I think most people would prefer to use either Waze or Google Maps. It's a pity since the screen is large and attractive, and the instrument panel has the capability of displaying a full-width map.

Proton has managed to exceed expectations with the interior design of their SUVs by providing a luxurious touch that goes beyond what is expected in their price range. The X90 boasts a top-quality leather finish that covers even the rear doors, which is a pleasant surprise. The dashboard facing the passengers is also wrapped in a soft leather with noticeable contrast stitching on the black material.

Proton has chosen to use a black color theme for the interior of their X90 vehicle, including the Flagship version. This is different from the lighter color themes used in the X70 and X50 models, which I thought were quite attractive. In my opinion, the red accents in the X50 Flagship and the brown leather in the X70 added to the luxurious feel of those vehicles. However, using an all-black theme is probably a result of customer surveys, since Malaysians tend to prefer conservative colors.

The Nappa leather is marketed as high-quality, but it doesn't seem as soft as the leather in the X70. It's not terrible, just average. What's not average is the harsh plastic used for the meter binnacle and the sharp borders of the center console where it meets the center stack. It's odd that the wing mirror control knob is black instead of metallic, which would make it look more luxurious and match the drive mode knob. However, it's important to note that these units are not the final product, and there may be variations in the trim and finishing of the customer cars.

Continuing on, the middle area of the car has an impressive gear lever that is surrounded by a large expanse of black material. The amount of space on the console is quite generous, possibly too much so that it looks quite empty, at least according to my opinion. But it's quite obvious that the shiny silver trim here looks less expensive compared to the brushed pieces found in other models of the X SUVs. As far as the features go, the X90 is certainly not lacking in any way.

During my time in the Premium model, I sat in the middle row bench and found it to be roomy, but the seat was lacking in depth and had a noticeably short base. Interestingly, the second row bench in the Proton is distinct as compared to the Geely base car, which features three separate seats. The team mentioned that Malaysians favor the 60:40 split bench configuration.

The X90 has a special feature that sets it apart - the air conditioning vents on the roof. These vents work better than other types of vents, such as those found on the pillars or at the back of the console. By being closer to the parts of the body that need cooling, such as the head, these vents improve passenger comfort greatly. Although small, this detail required a lot of effort to engineer, and it's a great addition to the car. Well done!

Passengers in the third row of seats can enjoy roof vents, as well as USB charging ports, cupholders, and spaces for placing their smartphones. When I tested out the seats at the back of the vehicle, I found that there was a decent amount of room for me. Although the seats are positioned quite low, this is typical for this type of car and it's not realistic to expect theater-style seats. It's worth noting that these seats are not just for children, as adults can sit quite comfortably in them. This is definitely a strong selling point for the X90, particularly considering its price.

The way the second row seat folds down is not as simple as other MPVs that have a one-touch-tumble system. You have to use a latch that doesn't feel very strong and push the seat forward. To put the seat back in its original position, you have to use the same latch and push the seat back, but it will go all the way to the back. To find a middle ground, you have to pull the base of the seat forward again. It's not a quick and easy process and could definitely be simplified.

The Flagship has some luxurious captain seats that come with an ample panoramic glass roof. I can envision how delightful it would be to sit in them during cool evenings or while sightseeing in the dark. These seats are great in the sense that they are ventilated, with four of them being ventilated in total. However, aside from the space between passengers, the seat itself is not very big and has a relatively short base. The wings on the headrest don't fold down far enough and there is only one attached armrest on the inner side. These seats aren't terrible, but they don't quite reach VIP status.

Getting into the third row of the six-person seat is easier, but it's better for those who are smaller in size or more agile. You have to bend down and squeeze through the narrow space, but once you're in, there's enough room.

Therefore, we have provided our first thoughts on the Proton X90 from every row. Personally, I have mixed feelings about this large SUV, as my initial reaction wasn't "wow, this is really nice", similar to when we first experienced the X70 and X50. Despite being the range-topper, the materials and design of the X90 feel less luxurious. It's not necessarily unpleasant by itself, but Proton may have set a high standard with their previous SUVs.

The X90 comes with great features and boasts two attractive screens. However, it's a downside that it lacks support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which would make use of the spacious screen. Its ability to accommodate seven people is a huge plus for bigger families. The air conditioning is particularly excellent with roof-mounted vents and ventilated captain chairs in the Flagship edition. It's no joke, Malaysians prioritize cool air, we all know that.

While in motion, the X90 may not have an abundance of torque at its disposal, but its 1.5L mild hybrid powertrain is sufficient for everyday driving and most scenarios. It's only natural to hear the engine putting in effort. However, we should note that we tested the car on a demanding route and compared it to the X70, which has exceptional comfort and isolation. When the X90 is released, we will conduct a thorough test drive assessment as per our usual protocol.

As part of our job, we take down notes, but it's important to consider the context. Your perception of the X90 will vary depending on the car you're currently using. If it's a popular local brand MPV, you might not notice that the X90 doesn't have the same level of power. It's also unlikely that current X70 owners will upgrade to the X90. There aren't many SUVs in the market with three rows of seats, and the X90 is cheaper than most of them except for the very basic Perodua Aruz.

Now let's talk about the most crucial aspect. All assessments made by people are dependent on the cost, and that makes sense as you usually receive what you pay for. While the X90 isn't the ideal SUV and there are higher-ranking D-segment competitors in certain areas, Proton's innovation is projected to beat them all by a considerable margin. Though we aren't updated on the price range of X90, if it's approximately RM150k, some flaws can be disregarded, and potential SUV buyers who need more room will probably take it into consideration.

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