Three-row SUVs don’t often receive plenty of fanfare in Malaysia but when it has the Thundercat roundel badge, all eyes are certainly on it. After all, the 2023 Proton X90 will represent many firsts for Malaysia’s first carmaker.

Following the Proton X70 and the Proton X50, the X90 will be the third Proton SUV model and it is also the third rebadged Geely model ever since the Chinese automaker took over some ownership of the Malaysian carmaker.

Still, there are some Malaysians who simply felt a bit disappointed that their “national” carmaker is going through yet another series of rebadging existing models than developing an original from the ground up. The automotive industry is an expensive one so any methods that will help reduce costs are important for a carmaker even if that means rebadging.

Also read: 12 of the weirdest rebadges ever – From a Chinese Gen.2 to a German Hilux

Yet, recent details from Proton regarding the X90 showed that the 3-row SUV would have some changes with its donor model, the Geely Haoyue/Okavango.

So we’ll be taking a look at 4 of those differences based on the information Proton revealed at the X90's media preview as well as the official photos sent out by Proton. We’ll be putting aside the obvious ones like the design of the grille and the name.

Also read: Proton X90 confirmed - 1.5T MHEV, 6/7 seats, full ADAS, 190 PS, 300 Nm, no AA/CP

Difference 1: Six-seater configuration

In its home market, the Geely Haoyue is offered with either 5- or 7-seater configurations. The former gives plenty of boot space for this massive SUV but this is only available in China.

In overseas markets like the Philippines and the Middle East, the Haoyue, which is given the arousing Okavango name, is only offered as a 7-seater. That 7-seat configuration is going to be offered for the X90 but there is also a 6-seater configuration offered only on the aptly named top-of-the-range Flagship variant.

Also read: This is why the Geely Okavango should never become a Proton Okavango

Proton announced that there would be 4 variants offered for the upcoming X90 with the lower variants (Standard, Executive, Premium) given the 7-seat configuration as standard. In the Flagship variant which is currently the only variant shown officially by Proton, the middle row is occupied by a couple of captain chairs.

This is a notable difference as even in China, a market that heavily emphasises providing the best for rear occupants, the Haoyue never came with a 6-seater configuration. Malaysians will be getting a premium seating arrangement over its donor it seems.

Difference 2: Multi-link rear suspension

Aside from the seating arrangement, another key difference between the X90 and its Chinese donor is the former has a multi-link rear suspension as opposed to the latter’s rear torsion beam.

According to Hazrin Fazail Haroon, Head of Group Engineering at Proton, “In terms of the torsion beam and multi-link rear suspension. Originally it was torsion beam, but it is evolution. When we looked into the Malaysian market, the driveability and value that the customer sees in this D-segment SUV, as well as all the competitors that we see all have multi-link rear suspension. And hence the decision to go for multi-link for better driveability.”

Also read: Upgraded for Malaysia, this is why the CKD Proton X90 has multi-link rear suspension

The multi-link rear suspension set-up is found on the newer Haoyue L in China but the regular Haoyue which is also the generation that is offered outside of China is fitted with a torsion beam suspension.

According to our colleagues at AutoFun PH, the Okavango’s ride felt harsh and not entirely comfortable so could the X90 see an improvement in the ride over its donor?

Also read: Review: What do the Filipinos think of the Geely Okavango (Proton X90)?

Difference 3: Different stalks

Looking at the only dashboard photo provided by Proton, the X90’s stalks appear to be shared with the X70. There's nothing wrong with sharing parts or carrying them over from other cars within the umbrella except that the X90 and the Haoyue’s indicator stalks are entirely different.

It seems that the multi-link rear suspension isn’t the only feature shared between the more sophisticated Haoyue L and the X90 as similar stalk designs are seen in both cars.

The X90’s left indicator stalk appears to have a dedicated trip computer button which is not seen on the Haoyue or the Okavango. Proton has said that its newest SUV has 45 percent local content which is spread across more than 500 parts so it might not be unusual for the X90 to utilise a few parts taken from its smaller SUV siblings.

Also read: CKD Proton X90 to have at least 45% local content - 500 local parts, 2 years to localize

Difference 4: Different infotainment UI

Aside from giving a new corporate front grille, the X90 also has another distinct difference that maintains a bit of Proton identity and that is found inside the SUV. Or at least the moment you start it up as the X90 has a different user interface compared to the Haoyue.

The 12.3-inch infotainment display is the largest one fitted to a Proton model to date and from the official photos, it seems that there will also be a fully-digital driver instrument display.

While the Haoyue and its export models’ infotainment utilised Geely’s proprietary GKUI, the X90’s infotainment is powered by Atlas OS. The operating system is developed by ACO Tech, a local joint venture between Proton, Altel Communications, and ECarX (Hubei) Technology.

Also read: With 70k users saying “Hi Proton”, meet the Malaysian team behind Proton’s GKUI system

Even with features that are catered more towards Malaysian drivers, such as voice command, the X90 will not feature Apple CarPlay or Android Auto much to the chagrin of those who wished for better car connectivity in their Proton.

Also read: It's 2023 but the Proton X90 still has no Android Auto / Apple CarPlay - this is ACO Tech's reply

Those are some of the few differences between the Proton X90 and the Geely Haoyue/Okavango. More information on Proton’s first mild-hybrid (MHEV) vehicle will be revealed in due time but Proton has said that preview sessions will be held nationwide from this weekend on 8-April.

Also read: Proton X90 is P1's first hybrid but it's a mild one - what's the difference between MHEV, HEV and PHEV?