Proton eMas 5 Long-Term Review: Is Malaysia’s Favourite EV Worth It in 2026?
The Proton eMas 5 has become something of a national conversation piece — a Proton-badged, Geely-built electric SUV that promises genuine value in a segment that is getting increasingly crowded. After months of real-world driving across the Klang Valley, Penang, and a long-haul trip up to Ipoh, we are ready to give you the most thorough Proton eMas 5 review Malaysia owners and buyers actually deserve.
Is it the best EV you can buy under RM150,000 in Malaysia right now? Let’s find out — with real numbers, no fluff.
Full Specifications: Proton eMas 5 (2026)
Before we dive into the driving feel, let’s lay all the hard numbers on the table. The eMas 5 is offered in two main variants for Malaysia — the Standard Range and the Long Range — and the differences between them are meaningful enough to affect your buying decision.
| Specification | eMas 5 Standard Range | eMas 5 Long Range AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price (OTR, Peninsular Malaysia) | From RM 119,800 | From RM 139,800 |
| Battery Capacity | 60.5 kWh (LFP) | 77.7 kWh (NMC) |
| CLTC Range | 490 km | 610 km |
| Motor Configuration | Single Motor (FWD) | Dual Motor (AWD) |
| Power Output | 218 hp / 320 Nm | 340 hp / 540 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 4.8 seconds |
| DC Fast Charging (Max) | 80 kW | 130 kW |
| AC Charging (Max) | 11 kW (3-phase) | 11 kW (3-phase) |
| Charge Time (10–80%, DC) | ~45 minutes | ~37 minutes |
| Boot Space | 560 litres | 560 litres |
| Frunk | No | No |
| V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) | Yes (3.3 kW) | Yes (3.3 kW) |
| ADAS Level | Level 2 | Level 2+ |
| Warranty | 5 years / 150,000 km (vehicle); 8 years / 160,000 km (battery) | 5 years / 150,000 km (vehicle); 8 years / 160,000 km (battery) |
Note: Prices are indicative and may vary by dealer and optional packages. Always confirm with your nearest Proton eMas showroom.
Driving Experience: How Does It Actually Feel?
The eMas 5 is genuinely pleasant to drive — and that is not damning with faint praise. For a vehicle priced from RM 119,800, it offers a ride quality and refinement level that would embarrass rivals costing RM 20,000 more.
The suspension tuning is clearly set up for Malaysian roads. Pothole impacts are absorbed with confidence, without the floaty, disconnected feeling you sometimes get from softer EVs. The steering is light at low speeds — perfect for navigating tight parking bays in Mid Valley or Sunway Pyramid — and firms up noticeably on the highway.
In Standard Range single-motor form, the 218 hp is more than adequate for everyday Malaysian driving. Overtaking on the PLUS Highway feels effortless, and the linear power delivery means you are rarely caught off-guard. The AWD Long Range is a different beast entirely: the 0–100 km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds delivers a chest-pinning surge that will raise eyebrows at any traffic light.
The cabin is quiet — wind and road noise are well suppressed above 100 km/h, which is where most EVs start to expose their weaknesses. The 15-inch rotating centre touchscreen (yes, it physically rotates between portrait and landscape) is genuinely clever, though it can feel gimmicky. Proton’s MARE infotainment system is snappy and reasonably intuitive, though some Malaysians may need a week or two to adjust to the deep menu structure.
Rear passenger space is genuinely generous. A 175 cm adult can sit behind a driver of similar height with ample knee room — a critical consideration for Malaysian family buyers. The panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with light, though we recommend the UV-blocking film from the factory if you are in a hot climate (which, of course, all of Malaysia is).
Real-World Range in Malaysia: The Numbers That Actually Matter
In real-world Malaysian conditions, the eMas 5 Standard Range delivers approximately 360–390 km per charge, while the Long Range AWD returns around 470–510 km. These figures are drawn from our own testing and corroborated by multiple owner reports from the Malaysian EV community.