Proton X50 vs Proton S70: Same 181 PS, why do they drive so differently?

There is a pairing in Proton showrooms that makes it genuinely hard to pick. The X50 Executive is priced at RM89,800, while the S70 Executive retails at RM73,800—a price difference of RM16,000.

Under the bonnet, both cars share the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 181 PS and 290 Nm, paired with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

On paper, their output figures are identical; the S70 is even 0.1 seconds quicker, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds compared to 7.6 seconds for the X50. Spend that extra RM16,000, and you don't get a single extra horsepower.

So, where does that RM16,000 go?

Specifications Comparison

Note: X50 maintenance cost is based on Proton's official 5-year/100,000 km scheduled servicing total. S70 maintenance cost is based on Proton's official service schedule, including routine replacement parts such as spark plugs and brake fluid.

Same Power Output

Let's get one fact clear from the start. The X50 and S70 share the exact same powertrain—a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo with identical 181 PS and 290 Nm output curves.

Proton did not detune it for the S70, nor did they give the X50 an extra boost. When you bury your right foot, the engine produces the exact same torque output in both cars.

However, behind the wheel, the driving experience is different.

The X50 has a kerb weight of 1,351 kg, whereas the S70 Executive tips the scales at just 1,300 kg. The X50 stands at 1,609 mm tall, compared to the S70's 1,466 mm—a significant 143 mm height difference. That 143 mm disparity in centre of gravity makes a massive difference in corners and during high-speed lane changes.

The X50 offers a high driving position, lighter steering weighting, and a very eager throttle response; darting around town, it feels notably peppy. That sensation isn't because it has more power, but because the higher seating hip-point and shorter body trick your senses into feeling faster.

The S70 sits 143 mm lower, with a wheelbase that is 27 mm longer and an overall length stretched by 222 mm. When cruising along the highway, the sedan stays planted to the tarmac with progressive, linear steering, completely free from the top-heavy body roll typical of an SUV.

Step on the throttle, and the S70's acceleration feels smoother and more composed, without the sudden surge of being shoved forward you get in the X50.

In short, the X50 makes you feel like you are piloting a spirited compact SUV, while the S70 feels like a planted, effortless long-distance cruiser. Same engine, different characters.

A 170-Litre Boot Gap

(Top: S70, Bottom: X50)

The S70 offers a generous 500-litre boot, whereas the X50 settles for 330 litres. What does a 170-litre difference look like in real life?

A full-size 28-inch check-in suitcase takes up roughly 100 litres, while a 20-inch cabin trolley takes about 40 litres. In the S70, after loading both a large suitcase and a cabin bag, you still have 60 litres of space left over for backpacks. In the X50, once that 28-inch suitcase goes in, you are left with barely enough room for a couple of grocery bags.

For single drivers or young couples, this difference might not matter on a daily basis.

But if you have a family with a stroller, putting a pram into the X50's 330-litre boot practically wipes out the entire cargo area. In the S70, the 500-litre boot swallows the stroller with plenty of room to spare for a full week's grocery run.

(Top: S70, Bottom: X50)

On the wheelbase front, the S70 measures 2,627 mm against the X50's 2,600 mm. That 27 mm difference is noticeable in rear legroom, though not night-and-day in terms of overall comfort.

What truly sets them apart is the boot and exterior length—the S70 stretches to 4,602 mm, making it 222 mm longer than the 4,380 mm X50, with almost all of that extra length going straight to rear passenger space and luggage capacity.

What RM16,000 Buys You

This is where the comparison gets really interesting.

The RM89,800 price tag of the X50 Executive can buy you the top-spec S70 Flagship, which retails for the exact same RM89,800.

For that money, the S70 Flagship adds Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The X50 Executive comes with a 14.6-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six airbags, but misses out on AEB and Lane Keep Assist.

Proton's product packaging for the X50 is clear: pour the budget into massive screens and connectivity, while reserving active safety (ADAS) for the Premium and Flagship variants.

Do note that the S70 Executive's basic 8-inch screen does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which is an easily overlooked difference when cross-shopping against the X50 Executive.

If smartphone connectivity is a must-have for your daily commute, the X50 Executive's 14.6-inch wireless unit is more convenient.

So the dilemma boils down to this: for RM89,800, do you prefer the X50's SUV ride height and 14.6-inch screen, or the S70 Flagship's full ADAS safety suite, 500-litre boot, and identical road tax?

On the ownership front, annual road tax for both is an identical RM90, as it is calculated purely on engine displacement—1.5 litres sits in the same bracket regardless of body style.

In terms of servicing, both share the 1.5T engine and 7-speed DCT; over 5 years/100,000 km, scheduled maintenance costs roughly RM4,326.95 for the X50 and RM4,784.94 for the S70. The RM458 premium on the S70 comes down to its specific replacement intervals for wear-and-tear consumables like spark plugs and brake fluid.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you mostly drive solo, prefer a high driving position, enjoy an agile and effortless feel in city traffic, and don't require maximum boot space:

The X50 Executive at RM89,800 gives you an engaging, characterful drive. Its 14.6-inch wireless infotainment display is a huge plus at this price.

If you require active driver assistance systems, the X50 Premium at RM101,800 includes full ADAS, but pushes your budget into six-figure territory.

If you need a primary family car, frequently carry passengers, need space for prams and bulky luggage, and clock plenty of highway mileage:

The S70 Executive at RM73,800 offers 181 PS, 290 Nm, and a huge 500-litre boot—delivering the same powertrain at a much more accessible entry point. Just bear in mind the S70 Executive lacks smartphone connectivity, so you may need to look at higher variants.

If active safety is your top priority, the S70 Flagship at RM89,800 provides the AEB and LKA that the X50 Executive lacks at the same price point, alongside a 12.3-inch screen.