According to Bernama, the Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad test drove the SUV (sports utility vehicle) LUX SA (A) 2.0 model for about 10 minutes during a visit to the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi. 

Too vague huh, let's walk the whole car test tour together!

Accompanied by Vingroup Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong and VinFast technician Nguyen Anh Hieu, the prime minister is observing the exterior of the SA2.0...

The LUX SA2.0 is based on the F15 BMW X5 and presents a tough mid-sized luxury SUV profile. Featuring a chunky front end, the thin LED daytime running lights joined with the 'VF' motif and streamed down to the grille. Below, the headlights, fog lights and air intakes are finished in black, imparting hard and dynamic factors to the car's character.

To the rear end, the SUV gains the sleek LED taillights along with vertical LED units. The black elements on the facade are stretching to the lower bumper, together with the silver diffuser and the hexagonal exhaust tips,  

The Prime Minister is entering into the cabin...

A thick three-spoke leather steering wheel is placed in front, as well as paddle shifters, analogue gauges and a 7-inch digital multi-info display screen. To the center, a 10.4-inch tablet-style infotainment display features a newly-developed user interface.

Talking about power...

The LUX SA2.0 SUV is equipped with a BMW 2.0L four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 231 hp at 5,000 to 6,000 rpm and 350 Nm from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm. On paper, the AWD LUX SA2.0 completed 0-100 km/h in 9.1s. The model also meets the Euro 5 emissions standard.

Then Dr. Mahathir was being invited to the FPT software, which we will not go further.

Now, let's talk about what's the point of all this. For your information, Vietnam’s first automaker VinFast unveiled two premium cars at the Paris Motor Show last year - the sedan is called LUX A2.0, whereas the SUV is called LUX SA2.0.

Speaking of SUV, what will pop-up in your mind? Yes, Proton X70. There's no new indicating this Vietnam-made car is going to export to Malaysia or whatsoever. But what if two cars are standing in front of you, which would you choose?

To start with, let’s talk about their names

First thing first, why X70? 

Back to April last year, an online poll was organised by the national carmaker to let the public vote for the name of the Geely Boyue-based model, and 60% voted for X70. But that’s not the whole story. Proton then explains that the letter ‘X’ suggests the cars' crossover or SUV segment. The number '70' however, is more than a demonstration of democracy, but a wise choice to create a perfect niche for the family to recruit members with different body sizes in. The same approach has applied on Volvo's XC line-up (XC40, XC60 and the XC90).

Next, the naming of VinFast LUX SA2.0. 

Although LUX doesn’t sound that luxurious, it does indicate a ‘premium and sophisticated qualities’ of the cars. The letter ‘A’ follows denotes VinFast’s Ambition to grow into the leading automobile manufacturer in South East and later become a global car brand, and the ‘S’ stands for SUV.

All in all, the name of X70 may seem simpler compare to LUX SA2.0, but they are all in pursuit of a superior stance in Southeast Asia and also plunge forward to the world automotive market (considering what Bouyue means in Chinese).

Now to the meat, who performs better? Here we prepare a side-by-side comparison chart between Proton X70 1.8 TGDI Executive AWD and VinFast LUX SA2.0 AWD.

We are unable to judge the driving comfort ourselves, but we do expect Tun Dr. Mahathir will describe on TV to us later!