First Drive: 2026 Proton X70 – THREE Critical Things To Know

Proton has re-packaged its already face-lifted X70 C-SUV offering for 2026, but they are largely 'invisible' - there aren't any major visual changes to note.

We’re certain you’re now up to speed about the 2026 Proton X70 that launched earlier this week. Streamlined with just two variants (Standard and Executive) now, it couldn’t get any simpler if you asked us – the first of several good  things to note here.

Apart from the now deleted sunroof feature, we’ll agree the absence of any loud visual changes may be a tad discerning for some. However, the real merits stem from changes you can’t see, and they’re all underneath the C-SUV’s skin.

Having sampled it first-hand ahead of its launch at Proton’s own test track in Shah Alam, we’re certain P1 has FINALLY gotten things absolutely right with this C-SUV offering. Here are THREE critical reasons why we reckon so…

Under the hood, the X70 is now brimmed with a brand new 'i-GT' 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill, and it's a better lump versus the 3-cyl unit it replaces.

1. There’s A New Heart Beating A Better Rhythm

Starting with arguably the most important of changes here, the 2026 Proton X70 finally sees itself revert to a four-banger heart. But first, context: the X70 first debuted with a 1.8-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol unit back in 2018 before switching to a 1.5-litre 3-cyl turbo unit in 2022 that was retained in its 2024 facelift.

Both these past engines were the best that partners Geely had to offer at their respective times. Naturally, with its smaller face-lifted X50 sibling and fourth-gen Saga stablemate now sharing the same mill new ‘i-GT’ base mill, it was only natural that the X70 saw itself endowed the same treatment – and it arguably couldn’t come any sooner.

As experienced in the X50 – and even when ‘watered-down’ in the Saga – mentioned, this i-GT mill primed with both direct injection as forced-induction in the X70 (identical to the X50) is better in every measurable way. It’s more powerful, torque-ier and, critically, it’s also a smoother operator versus the 3-cyl mill it succeeds.

This new 4-cyl continues to be paired with a 7-speed DCT automatic box, which has been retuned. Critically, the 5.5% improvement in fuel efficiency - 6.9 litres/100 KM - it boasts will be key draw for many prospects.

Sure, the X70 still won’t chart any acceleration or speed records in segment, but this new mill’s offer of 181 PS and 290 Nm is indeed sufficient, whilst the retuned 7-speed DCT automatic box paired with also smoothens its delivery well. Our only nitpick is the continued absence of steering-mounted paddle-shifters, which isn’t a deal-breaker.

Ultimately, the real highlight with this powertrain swap is its enhanced efficiency, evident in its 6.9 litres/100 KM claimed fuel economy average that marks a respectable 5.5% improvement over the previously primed three-banger. More importantly, this timing chain-equipped mill is also 4.5% quieter than said 3-cyl predecessor too.

In short, with this new 4-cyl heart, the X70 is now better armed not just to fend off heightened rivals made by marques from behind the Great Wall, we’ll argue it’s also has the chops to take the fight up against established ‘legacy’ Japanese and Korean fighters better now too. And that’s not all…

Unsurprisingly, Proton took the effort to also refine the handling and drive dynamics of the 2026 Proton X70. This is now a much better SUV to drive than before.

2. It Now Drives A Whole Lot Better And Easier

The other big but invisible change in the 2026 Proton X70 lies in its chassis, and here’s where localisation efforts by Proton engineers truly shines once again if you asked us. Central here were both the retuned suspension and electric power steering (EPS) settings – two areas that are arguably hard to quantify and measure.

One critical change performed was the recalibrated Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. Light, fast and accurate, it enhanced this crossover's drive dynamics well.

Truthfully, the 2024MY facelift had already made significant strides in this area. Naturally, with any powertrain swap that brings a bump up in capacity, cylinder count and outputs come with added weight penalties, and this alone warrants tweaking the chassis to accommodate which.

Thankfully, Proton arguably has decades of experience in this specific area, and the results are telling indeed. Firstly, the EPS. The ratios have been recalibrated to a point where you don’t need to apply too much lock (turning it more), thus making this crossover a whole lot easier for anyone in the hot seat to manage – ladies included.

Adding to which is the fact said EPS continues to feel very lightweight too, meaning this is one less tiring thing to steer. Unchanged is its high accuracy and speed,  and our only nitpick with it lies in its muted feel – a typical drawback with any modern EPS setup today. Again, not a deal-breaker for most.

Besides the EPS, Proton also refined the ride and handling in the 2026 Proton X70 - a true testament to the automaker's decades worth of expert know-how in this area.

Matching this is the re-tuned springs and dampers brimmed at all four corners. Right off the bat, body roll is now noticeably less apparent when the X70 is thrown in and out or corners and bends. There’s still a fair bit of head-tossing, but it’s at arguably an acceptable rate still.

Critically, there’s still enough travel or play in the setup to keep things soft and supple enough for everyone on board. We’d reckon cries of discomfort from any fussy ‘Passenger Princess’ would be rare enough, provided you keep things at a sane speeds – read: you DON'T push too hard to induce understeer.

In short, if you thought the 2024MY X70 already drove well, then you’ll definitely find this 2026MY re-spec to be a whole lot better overall. However, we’ll argue that this pales in contrast versus the next fact, and we reckon it’s the one many will seriously appreciate…

Another invisible but welcoming surprise here is just how much quieter the X70 has become on board.

3. It’s A Lot Quieter And Comfier Than Ever

Arguably the hardest change to actually see is the significantly improved NVH levels, and the refined powertrain swap partly contributes to this. The other half stems from added new layer of NVH-suppression materials lining critical areas of the cabin – namely the engine bay, wheel wells, as well as the cabin’s rear quarter.

Either in the hot seat or riding shotgun up front, the reduced NVH levels here was expected – the more balanced 4-cyl and smoother timing chain setups are key catalysts to which. We’ll even add there’s way less engine rattle here – neither Proton or partners Geely ever remedied this issue from the past 3-cyl mill.

This newfound quietness isn't just obvious up front, it's much more apparent for rear seat passengers - both tyre roar and wind noise levels have reduced significantly.

However, the crowning effort to NVH suppression became more apparent when we decided to hop into the rear passenger seats. In the previous 2024MY version, both tyre roar and wind noise were prevalent for rear seat passengers. Both now noticeably lower, and this ought to be a huge relief for anyone passengers seated in the rear.

Overall, it doesn’t take rocket science to see how this combination of a smoother and quieter powertrain swap with the bolstered cabin NVH suppression lining all result a an SUV that’s now a whole lot more comfortable to be in than before. Certainly, this is one area of refinement anyone jumping into the X70 will seriously appreciate.

In short, the invisible changes and refinement have arguably made P1's staple C-SUV offering a whole lot better, perhaps enough to make even more prospects to consider it seriously now.

Will You Seriously Consider One Now?

Apart from which, along with several clever streamlining and specification improvements, the 2026 Proton X70 continues largely unchanged in all other areas. In truth, that’s not a deal-breaker in our eyes, and we reckon budding prospects eyeing one up now will agree.

This is especially so when you consider the sizeable RM7,000 launch rebate Proton is offering this C-SUV with for the first 1,500 bookings placed before March 31 this year. Even without it, we'll argue that the base RRPs of RM106,800 (Executive) and RM119,800 (Premium) already makes the X70 a very strong value-for-money contender.

Coupled with the enhanced 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty the national automaker now offers it with, it’s safe to say the P1 has indeed made its signature and staple C-SUV offering a properly strong contender. The only real question now is would you SERIOUSLY consider one now yourself? Bercause we indeed would…

SPECIFCATIONS
2026 Proton X70