New Proton X90 Review: Family SUV set to worry the Chinese cars?

The Proton X90 is the latest product available from the Malaysian brand Proton. It has already launched the X50, X70 and Saga but this X90 looks to be its best local offering yet. It offers 7 seats or, in the Flagship model Jacob tests here, 6 seats with 2 Captain's chairs in the second row.
Jacob reviews the X90 on what it's like to drive, what features it has and the quality of the cabin. He tests out every row of seats and what sort of boot space the X90 has with the seats up and down. What sort of engine does the X90 have and what are the running costs of a Proton X90? Jacob delves into those details and delivers a verdict on how he expects the family SUV to perform on the local market.
Chinese SUV Fight! Haval H6 vs new Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max (in-depth comparison)
• Chinese SUV Fight! Hav...
0:00 - Intro
0:48 - The Proton brand
1:27 - Drive quality
2:23 - Engine
3:15 - Fuel consumption
4:22 - Transmission
4:48 - The looks
5:41 - Price
6:41 - Interior
11:57 - Boot/trunk
13:40 - Conclusion
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[@yissibiiyte]

Looking at this car in isolation, I think it's a really good offering. However once you look at the broader market, it can't compete with the Havals and Cherys that undercut it in price.

[@keloduma]

I don't know but I feel like the designs from Proton are very 2014-2017 era not modern enough. Chery is still the cream of the crop for me And the price as well. Chery comes in at 20k cheaper for a waay faster, waay better car

[@p.gseabi7481]

I agree with you, 150%. Chery is the best 🤩

[@InfoHubZA]

Yeah Haval, Chery, Beijing, Omodo, etc. are way ahead I terms of design.

[@mpilozungu2022]

You are most probably right because the 1st two versions they brought in upon returning to our market are old models in other markets such as Asia for example.... So ya... They are not coming in with competitive offerings in terms of pricing . Being in bed with volvo is not doing enough in convincing Ppl to overlook haval and cherry.

[@mokgaborona3037]

This car is already crying out for a facelift. I suspect it's not new in other markets. Not a great looker this one.

[@Afeeq1011]

since Geely acquired almost half of Proton, I'd dare say Proton isn't worth it anymore mostly due to the aftersales parts.

[@katlegomohlala5545]

😂

[@lumkamsomi2836]

I feel the same way about the Ford puma. It looks like the old kia Sportage

[@phakamanimathebula3095]

​@lumkamsomi2836 the puma is old, we always get old cars in SA

[@Under_Construction100]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 my man, you nailed it.

[@liebenberggideon007]

It's definitely disappointing when looking at the engine choice and not adding Android Auto or Apple carplay in the top end models. I would definitely pick a Cherry or Haval before going to this option.

[@errolgradwellii9283]

Love Jacob! …Ash, Ciro and Jacob is our South African top gear. Just need them to muck around a bit more 😉

[@Carscoza]

This is so cool to hear! Mucking around is definitely in our future :)

[@GS-io3pg]

Proton may be a Malaysian Brand...but its still "Chinese" owned, so Yes, They should have been better priced.

[@tumisomodise5606]

Mhhh... looks like the old Fiat Stilo in the front and Cherry Pro 7 at the back. The exterior looks dated.

[@boemomolefe8303]

Great review. Consist quality 👌🏼

[@DaneFortein]

did anyone else notice that Wolfsburg badge on his arm

[@BelallNeemuth]

Great review ❤ The proton do look amazing 😮

[@juriebezuidenhout2538]

Cherry looks more expensive inside and out - the small engine is a worry too...

[@ozemsadventureofrandomstuf252]

A storage compartment able to fit a whole arm?!😮😅😂 I think the car is functional and will sell Maybe someone who feels the other brands are too popular will consider this 😊 Nice on Jake great job with reviews 😎 Now relocate to CPT😅

[@olgahucklesby7263]

Got x70 premium..love it..if only this is not too big for me ..solid car

[@MKL_D]

Design wise, it's not good. But it's beats most 7/6 seaters in terms of the seating arrangement, and the boot space is not so bad as I expected. They must just bring face-lift.

[@miles.a1.9]

Proton is a very well put together product I really like the Volvo association and it shows in various aspects inside and outside the car.

[@MaswiraOfficialTv]

Im from Malaysia🇲🇾 tq sir review proton car from malaysia. Now model realese in malaysia s70 sedan..after this model x90..

[@praisemagidi7880]

In this day and age and market, some things like Android Auto and Apple Car Play should be standard. The seats win though... Other brands should take note of that

[@sfjvariety582]

Reminds me of when GWM and Chery would bring old products that were released years prior in their home countries then bring them over to SA years later labeling them as "New". I guess those companies realised that the strategy doesn't work and therefore brought actual new models. Let's hope Proton will do that in future models 😅

[@Under_Construction100]

MJay be honest, didn't you touch the ground through that centre console? A whole arm 🤣🤣🤣🤣. I agree with joining the queue regarding the pricing, i mean it'll be hard to overlook the Haval & Cherry brands (including Omoda & Beijing) & go straight to this one. Couple of missed opportunities there by Proton regarding the lack of smart phone connectivity, rear light bar & pricing. But to be fair, Proton now looks waaaayyyyy better than it used to when it entred our market almost two decades ago. The seats & centre console have some subtle cues of a Volvo design. My man, you & Ciro are some of the best car reviewers worldwide and the very best in SA. Keep it up.

[@Carscoza]

Sir, thank you so much. This means a lot to us :)

[@istiakrazib5969]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 presentation 🎉🎉

[@AshlinOlyn-rf3tj]

Looks like a Cherry from the back

[@StevenSilverstone-qv6px]

Times live review of this vehicle is not good..bit different to this presenters views though they are agreeing on a lot..Can't see Proton moving many of these..Proton sold 129 units last month and many or most to car hire companies as Proton is distributed in SA by CMH who have ownership of a large car rental company..Still to see one Saga on the road..Good luck to them though.

[@GivenMoila]

This may not endure the South African buyers' market. It appears poised for failure once more, and everything seems like an afterthought.

[@mselaledi]

I like this guy.

[@luyandangcobo4277]

For that price I would buy a Cherry Tiggo 8 pro max, much better option

[@bhyat]

Ya very confused by the pricing. Definitely won't be doing big volumes

[@zohansmith7936]

Please review the new Ford Puma. I love the car but need to understand the price tag!

[@praisemagidi7880]

In my humble opinion, you can afford a Ford Ranger for one of the Pumas... Many features you need to pay for. Paying over R600k for it makes no sense

[@user-hn6om3zt8o]

Sure JJ

[@archie100]

The pricing and the engine oh and the looks😢.

[@Ca55-WP]

Another winning review by Jacob. I applaud your efforts to put lipstick on this pig of a car, Jacob. I definitely wouldn't have been as diplomatic as Jacob when discussing this turd's questionable features, design elements and pricing.

[@peterpan121983]

Bruh that's just a Geely Okavango

[@CucuBravo]

Not really, there are differences between those 2 cars. Okavango is directly from Geely, but this X90 has gone through some changes made by Proton specifically. Same as the other X70 and X50 models as well. *The new S70 is coming, already launched here in Malaysia. **Design wise, looks older because Geely gave Proton those older models to be changed from left hand drive to right hand drive. Waiting for the facelift models here in Malaysia (still testing on the road).

[@user-fp3sg3hn8r]

back is similar to a isuzu suv

[@abdulhalim7957]

Nice car...!!

[@Ash-so6qn]

Seems like Proton came out to die once again lol

[@isayamukondeleli8120]

Front looks like fiat, I like the way you aren't hiding anything. My self I won't consider it, is very expensive

[@musondakasenge613]

The back of the x90 rather looks like that of the new Isuzu SUV 😊

[@jeroenjansen2709]

A 3 cilinder engine for a car this size? Like with all Chinese cars, why can't they engineer SUV's with a low fuel consumption?

[@raaz1zn]

Liked the new host, just that it felt a bit too scripted.

[@Getouttahere78]

Oh no, not another 3 cylinder 🤦🏻‍♂️ I'll pass thanks ‼️

[@danielpabu5848]

The rear reminds me of a Volvo - X90 v. XC90

[@polar3553]

吉利汽车，宝腾汽车，类似于大众汽车与斯柯达汽车

[@user-oc1wb6es6f]

I think it makes more Financial sense to buy a secondhand Toyota Fortuner if you not too worried about tech

[@fannieditshego6532]

This car is disappointing, from the engine to the perceived quality. You didn't say anything about the lack of parcel tray at the back. Many other things such as airconditioning switches (assuming it has actual buttons), sound system, etc were not elaborated on

[@user-rq5vt6ej4b]

Fuel economy not good .

[@SibusisoMbethe]

Looks alone I wouldn’t consider it. Yes the front is great.

[@pieterrossouw8596]

3cyl is a joke on a car this size. Not even economical because you basically need to rev the nuts off it to move anywhere.

[@aimandaniel133]

It powered along with Mild Hybrid. I test drive once in Malaysia, the pickup is okay and confident to overtake

[@keloduma]

The rear looks like an Isuzu Mu-X

[@borismkhwanazi583]

The X90 is a great car but the price point is too high

[@tgamer0656]

This car looks like a kia sorento

[@nqobilendlovuh4674]

The car is not exciting enough. It is okay but they can do way better, especially when you look at the competitors of the X90

[@kylooi12]

Chinese brands shouldn't worry. X90 IS a Chinese car, based on the Geely Haoyue

[@zimelengema836]

3 cylinder SUV?? I wonder whose bright Idea is that. I have a feeling this car is going to spend more time in the workshop than on the road 🙄

[@powerserge4564]

I’m not a fan of the looks, and by the way the rear looks like a haval H6 or chery tiggo 7

[@Patshes]

🆒😎✌️

[@user-hn6om3zt8o]

The back looks like Cherry

[@thebrainy8932]

That not door handle😂😂😂..

[@ThaboMashiloane]

Proton missed the mark here. Looks outdated, interior uninspiring, 3 cylinders ridiculous then pricing. Priced similarly to the Chery Tiggo 8 Max and they are day and night differences. Tiggo looks awesome and performs. Nah, I see Proton exiting the market soon of they bring this kind of products.

[@evanvandieman]

These Chinese brands are non starters for me. With an ageing and decreasing labor pool the Chinese will not produce these brands at mass for too long. Rather showcase RSA manufacturing like the Brand 4 x 4.

[@malibongwenkunkuma1343]

Looks like a rebadge old model Jeep, it’s not on at all.

[@m2ngwa89]

looks very dated already😂😂😂 i wouldnt even look at it back

[@tzeshenlim]

Geely

[@godfatherthepresident1830]

Izusu muX

[@cnvdh3514]

Really terrible fuel economy Out dated design And you've got the Chery tiggo 8 pro, Haval H6 and Mahindra Scorpio-N which are all miles ahead (especially the chery), this car is d@ed on arrival dont think Proton will sell many of these

[@michaeldasilva1752]

The exterior styling is very "mehh", quite forgettable

[@tman4918]

Engine too small. Car looks outdated outside.

[@mazibukomail]

MAHINDRA XUV

[@tshepo83]

Nissan xtrail

[@vmaswana]

Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, way better than this at the same price point. This looks outdated and in need of refresh.

[@vuyaniman9440]

Not good looking at all, underpowered for such a big car.

[@monwabisikuboni7540]

You can see even the presenter is trying to find something positive to say about this ugly car😭 with crazy fuel consumption. Aaah, Im not positive about this Proton

[@lilsill5668]

PROTON Holdings Berhad is 50.1% owned by DRB-HICOM Berhad and 49.9% by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. DRBHICOM OWNED by Malay billionaire a Muslim tycoon in Malaysia . So proton is still owned by Malaysian not Chinese 😅😅

[@pitsomlangeni3348]

It already looks outdated

[@cindyjoshua7367]

So what if you want to load the car with luggage and you have a family of 5 like most families who will buy this car. So u land up having a 4 seater. Besides no android auto Apple carplay seriously. Is there ADAS at all? Chery Tiggo 8 pro max anyday over this. Good review but disappointing car

[@SDav21]

Proton isn't going to do well here. It's too pricey for what you get. The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max makes this proton look like a joke.

[@thebrainy8932]

Proton not own by geely..

[@alanventer950]

Doomed to fail.

[@IamKhwezi]

They wasted their time and money bringing this car here, only 2 or 3 people who are of unsound minds will buy this lol.

[@SDav21]

This car is so meh. This is the car-iest car I've seen in a while. So plain and boring looking. Looks like it's from a few years back.

[@nivrerabliv759]

It looks like the old Kia Sorento. LOL

[@thebrainy8932]

New technology cannot come to africa.. all things weird..😂😂😂

[@leratocele6357]

urgh the exterior of this car is so underwhelming and bland ! 😒

[@tiisetsokgatuke1720]

Its safe to say we have our own Matt Watson in Jacob guys, Big up to this guy arg maan🫡🫡🫡🫡