First Drive: 2024 Proton X50 RC – FIVE Things We Learnt

Updating one of your most popular models is an arduous task for any automaker to undertake. And that’s exactly what Proton engineers were charged with for the newly-updated 2024 Proton X50 RC, in a bid to make it relevant against newer and fancier adversaries.

Launched earlier this week, Proton insisted that the new X50 is NOT a facelift, hence the usage of RC (Running Change) for its naming. However, Proton did promise that the new X50 boasts several equipment upgrades and features that directly address customer’ complaints.

Having said that, we recently had the opportunity to size up and drive the new X50 around Proton’s proving ground at its headquarters in Shah Alam, and here are SIX things we learned about the 2024 Proton X50 RC.

1. It Looks The Same!

Surprise, surprise, the new 2024 Proton X50 boasts no design changes over the model it replaces. But then again, we’d reckon that’s not a bad thing entirely, and sometimes it’s best to not mess around with a winning and proven design that has garnered universal acclaim amongst users and enthusiasts alike.

Despite boasting no design changes, the 2024 Proton X50 RC is still a looker, especially in this top-trimmed 1.5 TGDi Flagship guise.

This sentiment is also echoed by Proton Deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah when asked why the X50 doesn’t get a proper facelift instead. While some may loathe that the X50 didn’t get the same cool-looking facelift treatment as its Sino-badged counterpart, we’d reckon the current X50 still looks quite fresh, even when pitted against some of its newer rivals.

Unchanged design aside, the new X50 RC no longer comes with the Citric Orange hue, while the remaining five colourways are carried over. Other than that, there’s literally nothing else to report on this front.

2. It Gains A Slew of New Hardware

While lacking in design changes, the new X50 RC benefits from a slew of minor hardware and equipment upgrades. For starters, the fully-digital instrument cluster now comes standard for all variants, while its new 10.3-inch central head unit is matched with new reverse and parking cameras that offer improved 360-degree camera view plus a ‘3D Live Feed’ to better aid users.

To show the usability of these new camera hardware, Proton has put the new X50 RC to the test, where we were tasked with driving the car through some obstacles and reverse parking them solely using the 360-degree camera view function.

Even with all the blindspots and windows being covered, we managed to pass through the obstacles and reverse park the car with relative ease, thus proving that these upgraded cameras help to further enhance usability through its 360-degree camera view.

Another practical feature that the new X50 gains is the long-awaited powered tailgate function. Offered exclusively to both the 1.5T Premium and 1.5 TGDi Flagship variants, the powered tailgate can be operated using the dedicated switches on the car, as well as remotely via the car’s key fob.

3. Still No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay!

Putting aside the new equipment and hardware upgrades, the updated Proton X50 RC still lacks one functionality that many people anticipated, namely Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity support.

While the automaker previously indicated that this functionality can be added via an over-the-air (OTA) software update, it appears that Proton has ruled that out. Instead, both suites will only come via new model launches.

This means that even newer Proton models like the X90, S70, and newly-updated X50 RC won’t be getting the OTA as indicated prior, despite all of them boasting new infotainment hardware that can handle both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support.

Thanks to the head unit's beefier processing power, it can now supports music streaming services like Spotify, as well as the Proton Link smartphone app connectivity.

Fortunately for the new X50 RC, the aforementioned 10.3-inch central now supports built-in music streaming apps like Spotify and Joox, all enabled by a new dual-core processor plus increased RAM and storage capacity. Not to forget, connectivity with the Proton Link smartphone app is available from the Executive variant onwards.

4. It Drives (Slightly) Quieter Than Before

Perhaps the biggest improvement Proton engineers made on the new X50 RC were on the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) level. Up to 20 NVH improvement points were highlighted, including the wheel wells, A-pillars, and more.

Prior to these improvements, the X50 was quite noisy, where customers frequently complained about the noise coming from its three-pot powertrain, as well as the slight tyre roar, especially at higher speeds.

Having driven one around Proton’s oval test track at speeds up to 120 KM/H, we’re quite happy to report that the NVH level on the new X50 has indeed improved. Both engine hums and tyre roar issues are less glaring than before. Given the X50’s SUV boxy roof design, it can’t help but suffer some minor wind noises, although kudos to Proton for taking the extra lengths to address the NVH issue.

The X50 Flagship's 1.5-litre 3-cyl TGDi mill is still one of the peppiest in the segment.

In terms of drivability, the Proton X50 RC is still a delight to drive, which is truly a testament to the stellar chassis and damper setups tuned by the infamous Proton vehicle dynamics team. Despite its unchanged powertrain setup, which comprises a 1.5-litre 3-cyl TGDi mill rated at 177 PS and 255 NM plus a 7-speed DCT gearbox, the X50 still delivers solid driving dynamics and decent acceleration performance.

All in all, despite boasting no real performance improvements, the 2024 Proton X50 RC can still hold a candle against its newer and fancier rivals, and the 20-point NVH improvements have also enriched the driving experience.

5. No Price Bumps Despite The Upgrades!

The final big news for the new 2024 Proton X50 RC is the fact that it is still priced the same as its predecessor. And that’s despite the minor yet noticeable improvements and equipment upgrades noted, which Proton touts to be worth up to RM6,000.

Still available across four variants, the B-segment SUV starts at RM86,300 for the baseline Standard variant, RM93,300 for the Executive, RM101,800 for the Premium, and RM113,300 for the range-topping 1.5 TGDi Flagship. More importantly, this pricing strategy also makes the newly-updated X50 RC a more reasonable choice, given that some of its newer and fancier rivals are fetching prices closer to the RM150,000 mark.

It’s hard to deny that some may loathe the lack of mobile connectivity on the X50, not to mention the absence of any design changes inside out. But in a nutshell, we’d reckon these upgrades might be enough to allow the X50 to soldier on for a few more years, or at least until Proton decides to give it a MAJOR upgrade.