Proton Exora 2014 overview

It's the cheapest people carrier in Australia, and guess what, it's not that bad. The company seems to have found a new life after breaking off relations with the Malaysian government. The company is also expanding the number of dealers across Australia and plans to step up marketing.

PRICE / FEATURES

The Exora is available in two grades, GX and GXR, priced between $25,990 and $27,990 – both with a six-speed automatic CVT as standard. It's $4000 less than his the closest competitor is Kia Rondo.

Standard package includes air conditioning with power outlets for all three rows of seats, roof-mounted DVD player, Bluetooth phone and audio system, steering wheel phone and audio controls, reversing sensors, alloy wheels and USB port for DVD playback and radio.

The GXR adds leather, cruise control, a reversing camera, daytime running lights, a vanity mirror on both sun visors, silver trim and third row rooftop grab bars. The Proton Exora even comes with a standard roof-mounted DVD player to keep the kids entertained in the back.

FIVE YEARS FREE SERVICE

If the safety aspect doesn't bother you, read on because you'll also love the fact that the Exora comes with free maintenance for five years or 75,000 km. Like this. Buy this car and you won't have to worry about paying for anything else for five years - apart from registration and insurance, of course.

The Malaysian automaker has been around for a few years now and it needs to do something to make itself known. Free five-year service, five-year $150 warranty, and five-year roadside assistance of 150 are a good start, along with some cars that people might actually be interested in buying.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

Proton has been promising their Cam-Pro engine for years, but we haven't seen it yet, at least not with the promised camshaft profile. What we do get is a more interesting 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with decent power and torque to help the cause. Charged Fuel Efficiency (we were wondering what the letters mean) The 1.6-liter, DOHC, 16-valve engine puts out 103kW at 5000rpm and 205Nm of torque from 2000-4000rpm. 

To accommodate the increase in engine power, it has a slightly shorter stroke and lower compression compared to the stock engine. Variable valve timing has been added to the intake valves. This is a big and welcome step up from the 82kW, 148Nm naturally aspirated engine. There is one transmission available in the Exora lineup, a six-speed automatic CVT that uses a belt to send power to the front wheels rather than traditional gears.

SECURITY

But the big downside of the new Proton seven-seater is the fact that it only gets four stars for safety, while most of its competitors get five. With only four airbags to protect front seat occupants, only the Exora doesn't earn a five-star crash safety rating.

Note that the third row of seats also does not offer head restraints. However, the car is equipped with electronic traction and stability control, as well as anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and front seat belt pretensioners.

DRIVE UNIT

There are no complaints here, although sometimes the transmission makes a little noise. It is generally quiet and comfortable and offers excellent value for money if you need to transport a tribe, especially with the added free service. There is surprisingly plenty of legroom in the third row of seats, and it can accommodate adults, at least for short trips.

It runs on standard unleaded petrol and has a 55-litre fuel tank, consuming 8.2 liters per 100 km, and we got 8.4 - which is much closer than we come to the official fuel consumption figures of many automakers. If four-star safety doesn't bother you, it's a decent family car at a very attractive price, especially with a five-year free maintenance deal to save the budget.

VERDICT

This is much better than the protons we have used in the past.