Launched: 2024 Proton X50 RC – 4 Variants, From RM86,300

Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong (left) and Deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah (right) presenting the 2024 Proton X50 RC earlier today.

National carmaker Proton officially launched its revised 2024 Proton X50 RC offering earlier today. This is the first major update for the Geely-based X50 compact crossover since it first debuted back in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic.

Firstly, Proton were clear in highlighting that this is NOT a facelift effort, hence its RC (Running Change) naming for this 2024MY version. This also explains why the X50 RC appears unchanged in terms of aesthetics, but as you’d probably know, looks can be deceiving.

Prices remain unchanged, but Proton has omitted one paintjob option available prior - Citric Orange.

We’ll cover the changes in detail, but first, the important parts. Like before, the X50 RC continues to see four variants available – Standard, Executive, Premium, and Flagship – and five two-tone exterior paintjob options carried over as well, the only omission here being the Citric Orange hue choice.

Also unchanged according to Proton are the X50 RC’s prices – RM86,300 (Standard), RM93,300 (Executive), RM101,800 (Premium), and RM113,300 (Flagship). Like before, said prices include a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty, six times free labour service, Proton Insurance programme, a 5-year data package capped at 1GB monthly, and low financing interest rates from 2.28% per annum.

Unchanged prices also come with unchanged standard after-sales package as detailed.

So what did Proton actually change? Plenty actually, and some of which aren’t visually obvious. We’ll start with the 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill and 7-speed DCT automatic powertrain package which, unlike before, were fully imported from China.

These have been replaced with Malaysian-made units now, but the setup and outputs remains unchanged. Like before, only the Flagship variant benefits with the TGDi direct injection version to offer 177 PS and 255 NM, whilst the rest gets the port-injection unit rated at 150 PS and 226 NM.

Amongst the biggest changes highlighted by Proton includes the localised powertrain sourcing, improved NVH, and a slew of enhanced kit on board.

Localised powertrain aside, Proton were also keen to highlight the improved Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) package it has endowed the X50 RC with. The automaker notes that more than 20 spots throughout the X50 RC’s body was treated with enhanced NVH suppression materials.

As for safety, things are unchanged here as the X50 RC continues to offer just four airbags on board the Standard variant – the rest get six in total. There are a slew of Active Driver Assistance (ADAS) features – AEB + FCW, Intelligent and Adaptive Cruise Control, LDW + LKA – available, but these are exclusive to the Flagship variant only.

Aesthetics on board remains unchanged, but all variants now sport highly improved infotainment unit. The digital instrument panel is also now standard across the board.

Moving to the cabin and what’s significantly new here is the 10.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment unit. The digital instrument cluster offered prior is now standard across ALL variants too – this was previously reserved for the Premium and Flagship variants only.

Critically, the touchscreen infotainment unit now boasts enhanced performance thanks to its adoption of a new dual-core processor that’s 3.3 times faster than before, plus increased RAM (2GB) and storage (64 GB). Altogether, it now boots up 33% quicker and sees 55% quicker loading times as well. Sadly, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain absent.

Also improved along with the infotainment are the X50 RC's reverse and parking cameras set, offering clearer and crisper views now.

Next, connectivity with the Proton Link smartphone app is available from the Executive variant onwards. This enables remote monitoring and control of vehicle functions and status, as well as remote ignition and climate pre-conditioning.

Additionally, the improved infotainment display also sees the X50 RC gaining an equally improved reverse and parking cameras set to match. Combined, these now offer highly improved 360-degree view plus a ‘3D Live Feed’ to better aid users when manoeuvring the X50 RC.

Lastly, powered tailgate is now standard kit in both the Premium and Flagship variants.

Lastly, Proton have also added an improved powered tailgate as standard kit in the Premium and Flagship variants. This, if you remember, were optional kit for said variants prior.

And that’s basically everything you need to know about the 2024 Proton X50 RC. Are these changes enough to keep the X50 a solid value-for-money alternative in the hotly contested B-segment crossover SUV space? As usual, share your take in the comments below, and our social media pages…