The Proton Ertiga was launched very late last year. It was the fourth in a string of launches by the national carmaker and the last new addition we’ll see in their lineup for at least another year. Yesterday, we took it on a drive to Sekinchan and back to see what it was made of.
The Ertiga may not be as fun to drive as other Protons, but it’s an extremely practically engineered vehicle, which is what you want out of a compact MPV. It’s very Japanese, and that’s because it’s started its life as a Suzuki.
The Japanese, being practical carmakers, really left the Ertiga with all the essentials one would need in a compact MPV, allowing Proton to price it at an unbelievable RM59,000!
The beige interior makes the interior a pleasing place to be in. There’s no sense of claustrophobia as the light colour and high roof make the Ertiga seem a lot larger than it is. In other markets, it’s sold as a 7 seater and it’s certainly large enough for 7.
However, as 2-point lap seatbelts are no longer allowed in Malaysia, Proton have decided to market it as a 6-seater. We think this is a preferable configuration, as it gives the middle row occupants more than sufficient space. 3 in the middle is definitely possible, but ill-advised.
You get a full-sized 15” steel spare, and the tools are nicely hidden in a compartment so they don’t take up luggage space. Instead, underneath the boot floor, you find a hidden storage idea. This allows you to hide away expensive items when you park, minimising the risk of theft.
In terms of performance, there’s little-to-no Proton DNA here, engineering was left to Suzuki, who outfitted it with the same 1.4-litre DOHC with VVT as you see in the Swift. The front suspension is decent, with MacPherson style struts, but the torsion beam at the rear sometimes makes its inferior characteristics felt. It’s not a deal breaker though, as no other MPV in this class has managed to overcome the problems with this space-saving suspension type.
For those not aware, the Ertiga is a compact MPV with 6 seats and a 1.4-litre engine up front. The Ertiga Executive is available with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic (both manufactured by Aisin), while the Executive Plus only gets the automatic gearbox as an option. Fitting, as most Malaysians opt for this transmission type.
During our drive, we found the 4-speed to be adequate, but we much preferred the 5-speed manual. It was immensely better on the highway as it allowed us to reach higher revs, which was the only way to get the necessary pulling power from the engine for an overtaking manoeuvre.
Those opting for the 4-speed automatic need to be aware that getting to 110km/h is easy, but accelerating from that speed onwards is not. With 91hp and 130Nm, the 1.4-litre isn’t exactly a powerhouse, but its true potential is only unlocked with a manual gearbox.
What the engine is best at is sipping fuel. It’s small and efficient, getting 6 litres per 100km. This, together with the fact that it’s well priced, makes the Ertiga well-suited to the Malaysian market. While more and more manufacturers are trying to up the game and sell gimmicks and unneccesary features, simple vehicles for the mass market like these will always be needed.
Despite entering this particular segment a little late to the game, Proton managed to add a competitive, value-oriented product that’s well put together thanks to their partner, Suzuki.
Proton Ertiga Executive Specifications
Engine: Inline 4, DOHC, VVT
Capacity: 1373cc
Gearbox: 4-speed automatic/ 5-speed manual
Max power: 91bhp @ 6000rpm
Max torque: 130Nm @ 4000rpm
Top Speed: 155km/h
0-100 km/h: 11.8 secs
Price: From RM58,800
