First Impressions: 2025 Proton X50 facelift - The glow-up we asked for (Mostly)

KUALA LUMPUR: Back in late 2020, the Proton X50 was more than just another SUV launch — it was an event. Overnight, Proton had gone from a company best known for entry-level sedans to a serious contender in the hottest automotive segment in Malaysia.

The X50 wasn’t just a sales success; it became a cultural moment. Within weeks of launch, showrooms were overflowing, waiting lists stretched for months, and the phrase “have you booked your X50 yet?” became the conversation starter at a lot of mamaks nationwide.

Fast forward to 2025. The X50 has racked up over 140,000 units on Malaysian roads and become Proton’s second-best-selling model after the trusty Saga. But the world has changed. The competition is fiercer, Chinese brands have stormed the market, and buyers have gotten fussier.

Also Read: 2025 Proton X50 launched - Can be had from as low as RM85,800

Which is why this 2025 Proton X50 facelift matters so much. Proton isn’t just refreshing a car — it’s defending a crown.

So, does the new X50 still have the magic? Or has the honeymoon phase finally ended?

A stronger heartbeat: Goodbye three-cylinder, hello four

Let’s start with what’s under the bonnet, because this is the X50’s biggest upgrade. Gone is the old 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, which was plucky but occasionally gruff, especially when pushed. In its place, we now have a brand-new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine — Proton's code for it is BHE15TD.

The numbers? 181 PS and 290 Nm, paired with the same seven-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox and front-wheel drive. That’s four horsepower more than before, but a much chunkier 35 Nm of torque. Proton claims the 0–100 km/h sprint is now 7.6 seconds. Out in the real world, you’ll probably see closer to nine, depending on launch conditions, but the difference isn’t about outright speed — it’s about refinement.

Where the old three-cylinder used to vibrate at idle and sound a little agricultural when revved, this four-pot is smooth, confident, and quiet. It feels less strained at highway speeds, more relaxed in traffic, and generally more “grown-up.” And here’s the kicker: it’s also more fuel efficient, down by about 5%. Timing belt worries? Gone too — it now uses a timing chain.

Is it perfect? Not quite. That dual-clutch gearbox still has its occasional hesitation when you’re crawling in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but it's more apparent when you put it into reverse, where sometimes it takes a moment to engage. But once you’re on the move, shifts are crisp and the pairing feels well-judged.

Sharper suit, louder statement

The 2025 facelift is also the X50’s boldest wardrobe change yet. Proton hasn’t just tweaked the bumpers and called it a day. No, this is a full nose job.

Up front, there’s an entirely new fascia inspired by the Geely Binyue L, with a massive slatted grille, triple “eyebrow” LED DRLs, and a reshaped bonnet complete with fake vents. The Proton “Ethereal Bow” motif makes a return, this time in red, and the grille inserts feature alternating vertical pins said to be inspired by songket. Whether you see tradition or just a pattern depends on how poetic you’re feeling.

The rear is just as dramatic: a new tailgate design with full-width LED taillights, quad exhaust tips that finally match the number of cylinders, and on the Flagship variant, a comically large “Batmobile” spoiler. It’s as if Proton decided the rear needed an exclamation mark. Subtle? Not really. Effective at making people look twice? Absolutely.

Wheels are new too: the Premium and Flagship get 18-inch alloys with a knurled five-spoke design, while the Executive makes do with 17s that still look far classier than the old silver rollers.

It’s flashier, moodier, and definitely more upmarket. If the original X50 was a stylish fresh grad in a Zara suit, this facelift is the same guy a few years later in a tailored blazer, louder watch, and maybe a slightly questionable haircut.

The cabin: Bigger screens, more toys, fewer buttons

Step inside and you’ll find an interior that’s familiar in layout but modernised where it counts. The big headline is the 14.6-inch infotainment screen that dominates the dashboard. It’s massive, sharp, and finally comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto baked in. No more waiting for over-the-air updates — it’s here from the start.

The Flagship model we’re testing also gets a Qi wireless charger, a panoramic sunroof, a funky semi-transparent sun visor, and a 72-colour ambient lighting system that can pulse to the music. It’s like having a mini nightclub in your SUV, though perhaps best used sparingly unless you want your kids thinking every trip to the grocers a rave.

The digital instrument cluster has grown to 8.88 inches, and the gear shifter has migrated from the centre console to the steering column. This frees up storage space but takes a little getting used to — and yes, if you squint, it does give off EV vibes.

But here’s where things get controversial: air-con controls are now screen-only. No knobs, no dials, no tactile buttons. Want to change the fan speed? Poke the screen. Need to adjust temperature while driving over a pothole? Good luck hitting the tiny slider. Social media has already lit up with complaints:

“Air-cond controls on the SCREEN? Bruh.”

Proton will argue it’s cleaner and more modern. Critics will say it’s less safe and less practical. Both are right.

Other quirks? The stalks have been reconfigured — indicators and wipers are now on one side, while headlights are buried in the screen menus. On the flip side, there’s a neat little metallic disc on the dash that hides a tripod mount for accessories. It’s a small thing, but a smart nod to how people actually use their cars today — phone holders or action cams for those vlogs.

Driving experience: Familiar but polished

On the road, the facelifted X50 feels like a polished version of what Malaysians already loved. The steering is light and accurate, body control is good, and the suspension tune strikes a balance between comfort and firmness. The rear now sports a multilink suspension, but don’t expect hot-hatch handling, but for daily driving, it’s more than comfortable and enough to make you feel you have better control.

The new four-cylinder adds an extra layer of smoothness, and combined with improved NVH, the cabin feels quieter and more refined than before. Wind and road noise are well contained, though if you’re picky, you’ll still notice some tyre roar on rougher highways.

There’s a new Adaptive drive mode that automatically adjusts throttle, gearbox, and steering settings based on your driving style. It’s clever in theory, but in practice, it mostly feels like Comfort mode with the occasional burst of enthusiasm. Sport mode is still best if you want to wake the car up.

Fuel consumption is officially improved, but don’t expect miracles — it’s still a turbocharged SUV weighing nearly 1.4 tonnes.

Safety: Step forward, but not for everyone

Safety has been given a notable upgrade. All variants now come with six airbags, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and even a rear collision warning. Nice.

But if you want the full ADAS suite — autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop & go, lane centring assist, traffic sign recognition — you’ll need to climb to the Premium or Flagship. It’s great that ADAS has trickled down from Flagship-only, but it’s still not standard across the board.

That said, Proton’s Level 2 system works well, and the 360-degree camera now has a neat “transparent chassis” trick that lets you see what’s beneath the car. Perfect for avoiding holes or curbs during low speed manouvers.

Flagship Exclusives: Do they Matter?

The Flagship variant, at RM113,300 before rebates, gives you everything Proton could throw at the X50. Beyond the big screen, sunroof, and ambient lighting, you also get park assist and that polarising rear wing.

Do you need these? Probably not. The Premium at RM101,800 strikes a sweet balance of tech, safety, and price. But if you want the full toy box, the Flagship does feel like decent value considering what’s on offer.

What Proton got right, and what still bugs us

The Good

• New four-cylinder engine is smoother, stronger, and more refined.

• Massive infotainment screen with CarPlay/Android Auto as standard.

• Styling that looks properly modern and competitive against Chinese rivals.

• Safety features now available on more variants.

• Cabin feels more upmarket with ambient lighting and thoughtful touches.

The not-so-good

• Air-con controls buried in the screen — could be annoying in daily use.

• Some ergonomics (stalks, headlight controls) feel like change for change’s sake.

• Rear wing on the Flagship is a love-it-or-hate-it flourish.

Verdict: Still the local champ, with caveats

So, where does that leave the 2025 Proton X50?

This facelift doesn’t reinvent the formula, nor does it need to. What it does is address the car’s biggest criticism — that slightly rough three-cylinder engine — while adding the kind of tech, style, and features Malaysians expect in 2025.

Yes, it has its quirks. The screen-heavy controls won’t please everyone. The rear wing is more cosplay than classy. And Proton still hasn’t made ADAS fully standard.

But when you consider the package — a smooth new engine, bold new look, modernised interior, and a price that undercuts many rivals — the X50 still delivers on its promise: a stylish, feature-packed SUV that feels like fantastic value.

If the original X50 was Proton’s breakout hit, this facelift is the follow-up album. Not every track is perfect, but the hits are strong enough to keep it at the top of the charts.

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