Proton eMas 5 Driven: Range, Charging Speed & Value vs BYD Atto 3 in Malaysia
The Proton eMas 5 is arguably the most important EV launch in Malaysian automotive history — a national brand finally taking on the Chinese EV giants on their own turf. We spent two weeks driving it across KL, Putrajaya, and up the highway to Penang to give you the most thorough Proton eMas 5 review Malaysia buyers actually need.
Bottom line up front: it’s competitive, but not without caveats. Read on for the full breakdown.
Proton eMas 5 Full Specs & Variants
The eMas 5 launches in Malaysia with two variants: a Standard Range and an Extended Range. Both are built on the Geely Smart Electric Architecture (SEA Lite), which underpins Proton’s entire EV roadmap going forward.
| Specification | Standard Range | Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price (OTR, excl. insurance) | RM 109,800 | RM 129,800 |
| Battery Capacity | 49 kWh (LFP) | 66 kWh (LFP) |
| WLTP Range | ~430 km | ~550 km |
| Motor Output | 150 kW / 310 Nm (FWD) | 150 kW / 310 Nm (FWD) |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.9 seconds | 8.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | 175 km/h |
| Max AC Charging | 11 kW (3-phase) | 11 kW (3-phase) |
| Max DC Fast Charging | 80 kW | 80 kW |
| DC Charge Time (10–80%) | ~35 min | ~48 min |
| Boot Space | 579 litres | 579 litres |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 4,615 × 1,901 × 1,686 mm | 4,615 × 1,901 × 1,686 mm |
| Warranty | 5 yr / 150,000 km (vehicle) | 8 yr / 160,000 km (battery) |
Both variants use LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry, which suits Malaysia’s hot and humid climate particularly well — LFP batteries degrade slower in heat and can be charged to 100% daily without worry. That’s a genuine advantage over older NMC-equipped rivals.
Driving Impressions
The eMas 5 drives with a refinement that will surprise anyone who last sat in a Proton a decade ago. Straight-line pace from the 150 kW motor is brisk enough for Malaysian traffic — overtaking on the highway feels effortless, and the instant torque delivery makes the 7.9-second 0–100 figure feel conservative in everyday use.
Ride quality is the eMas 5’s strongest card. The suspension is tuned noticeably softer than the Geely Galaxy E5 it shares DNA with, clearly calibrated for Malaysia’s pothole-laden secondary roads. Jalan berlubang di Klang Valley? No problem — it absorbs the worst offenders without drama.
Steering is light and accurate, better suited to cit
