Proton X50 and X70 launched in South Africa after a 10-year hiatus

After 10 years of hiatus, Proton makes a comeback in the South Africa market. The first two models to launch in South Africa is the Proton X50 and Proton X70. The Proton Saga will be made available by late-2022 or early-2023.

This comes after Proton appoints new South African dealer earlier this year.

Proton's official distributor, Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), saw a gap in the market for a premium SUV within the budget of the average buyers. Premium SUVs are often out of the reach of these buyers and thus, both the Proton X50 and X70 fills in this gap. This is also true for many Malaysians as models such as the X50 was the best-selling vehicle, surpassing the Perodua Myvi for July 2022. Proving that Proton sells premium SUVs without the premium price.

Given that both SUVs are similar to our Malaysian spec, here is a summary offered in South Africa: Both are powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. This is a new engine developed by Geely and Volvo, removing the decade old 1.8-litre four-cylinder from Proton's lineup.

Also read: RM 18k cheaper but no direct injection, is the Proton X50 1.5T Executive better than the TGDI Flagship? 

Four variants (Standard, Luxury, Executive, Premium) will be available for both the Proton X50 as well as the X70.  

Proton X50

Also read: Review: 2020 Proton X50 - all the pros and flaws about Malaysia's most-hyped SUV!

Standard features on the Proton X50 are 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, fabric seats and an 8-inch infotainment. The Luxury variant adds the same equipments as the Malaysian spec X50 such as leatherette seats and 6 sixbags instead of 4, which comes as standard.

Also read: From RM 79k, this is the new 2020 Proton X50 for Malaysia

The Executive variant adds larger 18-inch alloy wheels and a 10.25-inch infotainment with 360-degree camera to name a few.

The range-topping Premium variant gets the more powerful 1.5 TGDi.

Proton X70

Also read: Review: It may have lost one cylinder but the new 2022 Proton X70 still feels exceptional

On the other hand, the Proton X70 gets the 1.5 TGDi engine as standard, which means the 1.8 TGDi engine available in Malaysia isn't offered to South Africans. Starting with the Standard variant, it doesn't vary from our Proton X70 MC featuring 17-inch alloy design and 6 airbags as standard.

The Executive variant adds ADAS, 19-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather upholstery and can be had in an all-wheel drive option as the third variant in the lineup.

Also read: New 2022 Proton X70 MC launched in Malaysia, new 1.5 TGDi, priced from RM 94k

The range-topping Premium variant further adds a panoramic sunroof.

Transmission will feature the same 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT) across both models similarly to our market.

The Proton X50 starts from ZAR 449,900 (RM 116k) goes up to ZAR 579,900 (RM150k). The more mature Proton X70 will start from ZAR 529,900 (RM 137k) and goes up to ZAR 639,900 (RM 165k).

Proton X50 prices

Proton X70 prices: