Since the launch of the Toyota Vios in 2002, competition in the B-class car market has been fierce. The car is available in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations area and starts at RM73,600.Until the Toyota Avanza (RM 55,967) entered the market in 2004, the Toyota Vios was the cheapest foreign car sold in Malaysia.
Thanks to the Vios' rapid success, Honda, their biggest competitor in the market, is trying to develop a competitive equivalent. Soon after a year, Honda City officially entered the market at RM78,888. Although Honda City is more expensive in direct comparison, Honda is equipped with advanced technology and hardware to legitimize its cost. Since then, the enduring rivalry between Toyota Vios and Honda City continues to this day.
Be that as it may, these cars may confront a greater rivalry in a considerably more propelled, tech-loaded and attractive looking new rival, the 2020 Proton X50. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the delayed launch of the CKD version of Proton X70, some buyers are still itching to learn more about the car.
Based on past market experience, experts estimate the proton X50 will cost between RM 85,000 and RM 100,000, depending on the model and detailed configuration. But the specific situation is subject to the official release. By contrast, the starting prices for Toyota Vios and Honda City are lower, as shown in the figure below.
Meanwhile, for Toyota and Honda, the competition goes beyond that. We expect Proton X50 to compete and influence with the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz, which are also popular in the market.
In addition to its competitive price, the Proton X50 has a more popular SUV-style body. The size difference between the three cars is not that big, and Proton X50 is a little bit higher.
The size of the X50 is clearly not the most competitive selling point, but the 3-cylinder, 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, with 177 PS and 255 Nm of torque. Honda City is a 1.5 liter naturally aspirated engine with 120 PS and 145nm of torque. Toyota Vios' 1.5 litre naturally aspirated engine has 107 PS and 140nm of torque. The X50, by contrast, has obvious advantages.
Proton X50 is a seven-speed dual clutch transmission (developed with Volvo), while Honda and Toyota both use CVT. In addition, the X50's interior, design, and exterior make Honda and Toyota relatively passive in this competition.
Well, like Proton X70, Proton X50 is also a high cost performance SUV.The X50 certainly has a large share of the B-segment market.
You will see the Proton X50 in more detail in the video below. (This video is from Wapcar.My)