In case you didn’t know, cars are categorised into various segments based on their sizes. The list of segments begins with the A-segment which comprises the smallest cars in the market such as the Perodua Axia, Proton Saga, Perodua Bezza, and the Hyundai i10 just to name a few.
Moving up the ladder, we have the B-segment which comprises models like the Honda City, Toyota Vios, and the MG5, followed by the C-segment which the Proton S70 here is a part of, alongside models like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Altis, and the Mazda3.
If we keep going, there’s the D-segment with mid-sized executive sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the E-segment with cars like the Mercedes-Benz E Class, limousines such as the BMW 7-Series, sports cars, MPVs, and SUVs.
While most of these models compete with each other in the same segment, there are a few special models such as the Proton S70 here which also compete with cars in other segments.
If you’re wondering why, the government actually requires non-national car manufacturers to pay higher taxes than local brands, which requires them to sell their cars at a higher price to be profitable versus national cars that are priced much lower despite being in the same category.
This explains why a car from a foreign brand is priced much higher than a local car in the same segment as Proton doesn’t have to pay excise duty or import duty like its foreign competitors.
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why the Proton S70’s price is closer to a Honda City and a Toyota Vios which are a size smaller, instead of the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic which are its direct rivals.
Priced between RM73,800 and RM94,800, all four variants of the S70 share the same powertrain package as the X50 and the X70, comprising a three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and an improved 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission with Manual Mode which produce 150 PS at 5,500 rpm and 226 Nm from 1,750rpm to 4,000rpm.
Speaking of variants, the model that we were invited to spend a day with recently, was the range-topping Flagship X trim which comes with the complete list of bells and whistles including a powered sunroof and a body kit.
Measuring 4,602mm in length, 1,809mm in width, and 1,466mm in height, the S70 comes with a wheelbase length of 2,627mm which makes it significantly longer and wider than a Vios or a City.
In terms of its design, the S70 looks classy and sleek, fit enough for a government official to arrive at an official event in style. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it is the most handsome sedan by Proton since the Perdana.
The strong character lines, the LED lights with daytime running lights, the aero kit, the sunroof and the sleek silhouette certainly give the S70 the “executive” look Proton models have been lacking in recent times.
Upon opening the doors of the S70, we were greeted by a cabin that comes with a generous dose of leather upholstery, soft-touch materials, contrasting white stitching, and brushed metal bits that run across the dashboard under the air-cond vent – all of which give the interior a rather “premium” look and feel just like the exterior.
After sitting in the S70 and fiddling with the switches, buttons, and levers, we realised that the S70, despite being priced similarly to the Vios and the City, is a far superior product.
At the same time, components like the steering wheel don’t feel as solid as what we get in the new Civic or the Altis, but it is almost there. No complaints here as the S70 asks for like RM30,000 less than the Japanese C-segment sedans.
The seats on the other hand offer a great level of comfort and support, making the S70 an ideal car for daily commuting and also Balik Kampung journeys with the family.
As for our stint with the S70, we drove it from the Proton Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam to Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan and back through a combination of congested B-roads, highways, as well as a fair share of twisty bits near Bukit Putus.
The first thing we noticed was that the throttle response was rather sensitive and aggressive, resulting in regular wheelspins when we were leaving toll plazas and exiting junctions. The brakes were also a bit too grippy for our liking.
However, after driving it for awhile, we managed to adapt to it and things were fine and dandy ever since. Once we picked up speed, it was smooth sailing to speeds well over the limit.
The level of noise, vibration, and harshness was impressively low as well, even when we were flooring it. As far as the ride and handling were concerned, bumps, lumps, and uneven surfaces were tolerated respectably with little to no drama.
The chassis of the S70 is also setup impressively as it handles the tightest of corners without breaking a sweat.
As fun as it was to drive the S70, there is still room for improvement. For instance, there is still no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as the car uses Proton’s infotainment system which takes some time to get used to. There are no paddle shifters as well.
Also, there is no dedicated button to switch between the various driving modes, which was a bummer. To change between Comfort, Eco, and Sport modes, you have to swipe the menu down on the central display and then pick the desired mode, which requires you to move your eyes to the screen during this process.
Other than that, the S70 was an enjoyable vehicle to be in. Keeping us safe and secure during the drive were all the safety and driver assistance features like Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Collision Prevention, a 360-view HD camera, as well as Lane Keep Assist.
Now, if we are to compare the Proton S70 with the Honda Civic or the Toyota Corolla Altis since they’re all C-segment models, the former is still inferior in terms of the overall build quality, performance, ride and handling, but all is forgiven since the S70 is priced like RM40,000 cheaper than the Japanese.
However, if we put it against similarly-priced models like the City and the Vios, the S70 is miles ahead in terms of the refinement, features, and the performance, which makes it an absolute bang for your buck.
Specifications:
Engine: 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged,
Power: 150PS @ 5500rpm
Torque: 226Nm @ 1750rpm
Transmission: 7-speed DCT
Suspension: MachPherson Strut (Front) / Torsion Beam (Rear)
Price (As tested): RM94,800
We like: Great handling, comfortable seats
We don’t like: There’s still room for improvement in some areas
By Gokul Kandiah
