Review
Proton Gen-2 hatchback
Price: £9,195 - £11,195
/5
- Pros:
- Good looks
- Updated interior
- Handling on open roads
- Cons:
- Low quality interior
- Poor driving position
- Dated design
pictured: Proton Gen-2 hatchback 2008 5 door
reviewed by Carbuyer
"Good looking exterior hides a very dated design that was introduced in 2004."
At a glance
- The greenest
- 1.3 GLS 5dr
£9,195 - The cheapest
- 1.3 GLS 5dr
£9,195 - The fastest
- 1.6 GSX 5dr
£11,195 - Top of the range
- 1.6 GSX 5dr
£11,195
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The attractively styled Proton Gen-2 has been around since 2004. It was given a thorough update in 2007, but the exterior remains almost unchanged - although that's no bad thing. Proton are keen to point out that the handling was developed by Lotus, but the Gen-2 turns out to be far from exciting to drive, and is let down by excessive body roll and the ride at low speeds. There are three trim options, GLS, GSX and Persona, plus an ecoLogic model that runs on cheaper liquid petroleum gas (LPG). On the the inside, the dashboard and centre console look smart, but the plastics and materials used still feel very cheap. Leather upholstery is available on 1.6 GSX and 1.6 Persona models, which does help matters slightly, but some controls are oddly placed, and finding a good driving position can prove difficult. There's only two petrol engines available - a 1.3 or a 1.6 - and no diesel. When compared with much more capable rivals, the Gen-2 makes little sense.
Drive
Handling by Lotus, but that's not necessarily a good thing
Proton often boast that the Gen-2 has received help from sports car maker Lotus in the chassis and handling department. And on smooth, open roads, it shows, as the car displays impressive agility. However, potholes and rough town roads upset the ride considerably, especially when travelling under 30mph. The 1.6-litre is definitely the better engine, but it's noisy at higher speeds and doesn't provide particularly strong performance.
Comfort
Comfortable seats are one of the few highlights
The seats are comfortable enough for long motorway journeys and there is good legroom in the back, but the sloping roofline means that tall rear passengers will feel cramped. Wind noise is kept to a minimum, but that good effort is cancelled out by noisy engines, especially when at speed or when pushed hard. A height-adjustable driver's seat is included, but some drivers may struggle to get comfortable due a very low mounted steering wheel.
Reliability
Cabin looks good but is cheaply made
Interior build quality is poor, so expect plenty of loose trim and signs of premature ageing. The Gen-2 has never been Euro NCAP crash tested, but it does come with twin airbags, side impact bars and rollover protection. Previous Protons have proved quite reliable, but have rarely sold in large numbers to appear in any of the leading driver satisfaction surveys.
Practicality
Poor ergonimcs
The cabin lacks storage cubbies and rear passenger headroom is rather limited. The stack of climate control buttons mounted on the lower console are cleverly designed, but overall the interior has poor ergonomics. The 460-litre boot is spacious, but a narrow opening makes lifting heavy objects in and out quite difficult. Rear parking sensors come in very handy when reversing into tight spaces.
Value for money
Air-conditioning is standard on all models
The asking price seems cheap when you compare it to an entry level Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra. The range is well equipped for the money: air-conditioning is fitted as standard on all models, but a leather interior costs an extra £1,000, and is available on 1.6 GSX and Persona models only – although Proton offers this as a free upgrade. Alloy wheels are fitted to all 1.6-litre models, while GSX variants receive a boot spoiler and cruise control. All models are very similarly priced, with the LPG-powered ecoLogic costing the same as the standard 1.6-litre petrol.
Running costs
No diesel, but LPG version has low running costs
All models return around 40mpg on the combined cycle, but as there is no diesel option nearly all of its rivals offer a more economical option. The 1.6-litre engine has emissions of 172g/km, which results in a pricey annual Road Tax bill of £190. The ecoLogic version can run on petrol or LPG, which has a cheaper pump price. Come resale time, prepare for big losses as residuals values are not good. All Gen-2s come with a three-year/60,000 mile warranty.
