So the Proton e.Mas 5 Malaysia’s first “affordable EV” is finally stretching its legs. You’ve probably heard the buzz: RM60k–80k price range, over 3,000 bookings, and yes, it’s basically a rebadged Geely EX2/Geome Xingyuan. It’s coming in as a CBU first, CKD later. But here’s the kicker: no local Proton ride and handling tuning. That’s right the legendary “Proton feel” isn’t baked in (yet).

We got a taste of the Premium variant at Proton’s Shah Alam test track, and here’s what stood out:

Performance & Handling

• Acceleration: Zippy up to 50–60 km/h, then it chills out. 0–100 km/h in about 10 seconds – not blazing, but quicker than a Myvi.
• Braking: Surprisingly solid. Straight, stable, and class-leading 100–0 km/h in 36.9 metres.
• Slalom & Turns: Rear-wheel drive gives it a playful edge. It’s nimble, with decent grip from the Linglong tyres (dry roads only, though).
• Steering: Light and accurate, but not very communicative. Good enough for city driving.

Comfort & Refinement

• Ride Quality: Can’t say much about rough roads (test track was smooth), but body roll is minimal thanks to the low-slung battery.
• Noise: Wind noise creeps in after 80 km/h, gets loud past 110 km/h – but overall, refinement is better than most B-segment hatchbacks.
• Interior Space: Front’s okay, but rear seats are upright and tight. Long trips might be a stretch for rear passengers.

Quirks

• A strange grinding noise from the rear-right during left turns was heard in two different cars. Proton’s team is investigating.

Practicality

• 70-litre frunk, 375-litre boot (expandable to 1,320 litres), and under-seat storage. Not bad at all for a compact EV.

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The Verdict?

The e.Mas 5 is a solid city car on that is easy to drive, fun enough, and doesn’t feel cheap. It’s not a hot hatch, but it’s got a bit of that Iriz spirit (minus the Proton-tuned magic). At RM60k–80k, it’s hard to complain.

But here’s the real story: Proton needs to play its cards right. The eMas 5 is a good start, but the clock is ticking. Perodua’s EV is coming, and it’s still a mystery box. If Perodua nails the value and driving experience, the game could change fast.

So, Proton. you’ve got the momentum. Now’s the time to fine-tune, CKD it right, and maybe even inject some of that classic ride and handling DNA. Because once Perodua enters the ring, it’s going to be a full-on EV showdown.