First Drive: 2025 Proton X50 facelift – Smoother, techier, and still very much a Proton
Proton gave us a brief taste of the 2025 Proton X50 facelift, and while the drive was short, it revealed just enough to piece together an early impression.
Quick Drag with the HR-V Turbo
The first session was a simple drag run against a Honda HR-V Turbo. In most runs, the HR-V had the jump off the line, but the 2025 Proton X50 facelift consistently reeled it back in, crossing the line first. Proton claims 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, but the timing gear showed 9.1 seconds. With traction control intervening off the line and the conservative transmission calibration (likely for longevity), the claimed figure might be possible with a cleaner launch.
Refinement Steps Up in the 2025 Proton X50 facelift
The biggest change is the new 1.5L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. It’s smoother than the previous 3-pot, no surprise there. Mid-range pull is stronger too. The old engine wasn’t exactly lacking, but this one just feels more muscular. In Sport mode, it reacts promptly to throttle input, without the abruptness seen in other Chinese offerings like the Omoda 5. It feels calibrated, not just fast.
The steering, now with an adaptive mode, is nicely weighted. It responds naturally, even if there’s little feedback (which isn’t a deal-breaker in this segment). There wasn’t enough time to test its variability at different speeds, but initial impressions are promising.
Ride and Handling Still a Highlight
On the oval and over parking lot speed bumps, the suspension showed good compliance. The Proton X50 facelift takes on harsh edges with composure and keeps body movements in check at speed. That balance is something Proton does well.
We were told there were no chassis changes, though one of the instructors mentioned some suspension tweaks. Based on feel alone, that seems plausible as the updated car feels more resolved than I recall the pre-facelift being. That said, it’s been years since I last drove the X50, so I’ll reserve full judgment for a longer test.
2025 Proton X50 Interior: More tech, more wow?
The cabin appears to be inspired by the eMas 7, especially the new infotainment setup. The large screen is crisp and responsive, with slick animations. More importantly, it finally supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Materials are typical for the price with soft touches where it matters, hard plastics elsewhere. Quality-wise, it’s about on par with before, though design has clearly evolved.
However, the seats remain a sore point. The base is short and angle adjustment is limited. Taller drivers will find long stints uncomfortable due to poor thigh support.
2025 Proton X50 Design and Early Verdict
The exterior redesign is more aggressive, but also busier. Personally, the cleaner lines of the pre-facelift model appeal more. Others might prefer the new face. Subjective either way. It’s still early days, but the 2025 Proton X50 feels like a solid refinement of an already popular product. The drivetrain is smoother and more capable, the infotainment finally meets expectations, and chassis tuning remains one of its strengths.
There’s still a Proton-ness to it with some quirks and a few carryovers, but overall, this feels like a product developed with the intent of delivering even more value. Whether it truly does, of course, depends on the final pricing. More time behind the wheel will reveal if it holds up across different conditions, but for now, this facelifted X50 looks like a solid evolution. Not perfect, but promising.
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