2025 Proton X50 facelift – What’s new and what’s truly changed

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite being marketed as the “all-new” Proton X50, this 2025 model is, in truth, a major generational facelift. But it’s a meaningful one—comprehensively updated in areas that matter most.

While the bones underneath remain the same, everything else has been touched: from performance and design, to tech, safety, and comfort.

Also Read: All-new 2025 Proton X50 first look – Sharper design, more power, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and now with BM voice commands

Five years on from its 2020 debut—and a year after a relatively mild RC update—Proton has brought the X50 fully up to speed in a segment now brimming with strong alternatives.

A new heart and smoother beat

The biggest news lies under the hood. Gone is the old three-cylinder engine—in its place is a new 1.5L i-GT turbo-four that brings gains in refinement.

It’s still front-wheel drive, still paired to a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, but the refinement gains are there according to Proton.

The new mill makes 181 PS and 290 Nm, up from 177 PS and 255 Nm in the previous Flagship variant, while the entry-level models get a significant bump over the old port-injected 150 PS/226 Nm engine.

The new engine not only brings better torque delivery and smoother operation, but also cuts the 0–100 km/h sprint down to 7.6 seconds—a modest 0.3s improvement.

Proton also claims up to 4.7% better fuel efficiency, though this will ultimately depend on driving style and traffic conditions.

Proton now equips the entire X50 lineup with the same high-output engine, a major upgrade from the previous power split between trims.

The X50 now has four drive modes—Normal, Sport, and Eco—but now adds Adaptive Mode, which intelligently switches behaviour based on how you're driving. It essentially removes the need for the driver to decide, adapting throttle response, shift timing, and steering feedback in real-time.

Reworked outside, rebuilt Inside

On the outside, this is the sharpest-looking X50 yet, but that depends on your perspective. Most of the exterior redesign is shared with the latest Geely Binyue L, but there are Proton-specific touches too.

The front fascia gets a complete overhaul with new reflector-style LED headlights featuring triple eyebrow-style DRLs, a redesigned bonnet with integrated faux vents, and a more aggressive grille that brings back the red “Ethereal Bow” strip, now complemented by vertical pin-like inserts.

The front bumper is larger and squarer, while the fenders are all-new to accommodate S70-style chrome A-pillar extensions.

At the rear, the new full-width LED taillight bar and redesigned tailgate move the number plate recess lower, giving the rear end a more planted and premium stance.

The rear bumper has been revised with L-shaped corner accents, and the quad exhaust pipes is back giving the X50 a recognisable rear end. 

The Flagship also gets a dramatic new rear wing, previously exclusive to the Binyue “Beyond Edition”, along with a black-painted roof as standard.

All variants sit on new wheels—17-inch alloys for the Executive, and 18-inch two-tone turbine-style alloys with a knurled finish for the Premium and Flagship.

A cabin that finally feels 2025

If the exterior is familiar, the cabin feels entirely new. The dashboard, centre console, and interface have all been modernised.

Taking centre stage is a 14.6-inch Full HD infotainment screen, now standard across the range. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto(finally), both wirelessly or via cable, and comes with a cleaner, more modern UI powered by a quad-core processor with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage.

The screen also integrates most of the air-conditioning functions, with only four physical shortcut buttons remaining for essentials(thank god). In front of the driver is a new 8.88-inch digital instrument cluster, replacing the older half-digital unit.

The gear selector has been moved to a steering column stalk, freeing up space on the now-floating centre console, which also houses twin phone holders—with the driver’s side gaining a Qi wireless charger (Flagship only). The layout feels neater, less cluttered, and far more premium than before.

The red-and-black dual-tone interior on the Flagship variant is more than just colour—it’s a redesign. Proton has flipped the scheme from the outgoing model, with black now dominating the upper dash and red reserved for the lower half and door cards, a change made to reduce reflections. Subtle ambient lighting—now offering 72 colours and a rhythmic mode—adds a welcome touch of flair.

Smarter safety, sharper eyes

The 2025 X50 now offers a significantly upgraded ADAS Level 2 suite, but Proton has taken a tiered approach.

All variants now come standard with Rear Side Radar System (RSRS), which enables:

• Blind Spot Monitoring (Lane Change Assist)
  
  
• Rear Collision Warning
  
  
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  
  
• Door Opening Warning
  

But to get autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, lane centring assist, and traffic sign recognition, you’ll need to step up to the Premium variant or higher.

These features are enabled by its monocular camera array at the top of the windscreen and an 80m millimetre-wave radar, which together enable the X50 to offer semi-autonomous driving capabilities on highways.

Proton has also enhanced visibility tech, offering a four camera 360 HD camera paired with a 180-degree undercarriage view for safer low-speed manoeuvres, giving a bird’s-eye look at the surroundings as well as the ability to see what’s underneath the car—especially useful when navigating tight spots, kerbs, or obstacles.

The Auto Park Assist system has also been upgraded says Proton. It now supports both parallel and perpendicular parking and offers a more intuitive visual display via the infotainment screen.

And yes—six airbags are now standard across the board.

A cleaner line-up

Another simplification Proton has made is with the variant structure. The previous four-variant lineup (Standard, Executive, Premium, Flagship) has been reduced to three. The base Standard variant is no more, and the new Executive now acts as the entry point.

Even so, the Executive model is well equipped with LED lighting, remote start, the new infotainment system, and core safety features.

Moving up to the Premium and Flagship unlocks ADAS, powered seats, 360 camera, power tailgate, wireless charger, panoramic roof, and the more advanced ambient lighting and interior trim.

Completing what was missing

This facelifted X50 doesn’t try to reinvent the formula. Instead, it brings all the pieces that were missing or aging and updates them convincingly. The new engine is smoother, stronger, and more refined. The interior finally feels up to date, the infotainment system is competitive, and safety has taken a major leap forward.

If the original X50 was Proton’s breakout into the SUV mainstream, this facelift is the company tightening the bolts and polishing the edges. It’s not “all-new” in the literal sense—but in all the right places, it feels exactly that.

Also Read: Proton records 5% m-o-m growth in May 2025, e.MAS 7 hits new milestone