Proton Exora GXR 2014 Overview

Priced from $25,990 to $75,000 on the road, the Proton Exora is simply the most affordable seven-seater in Australia. The Malaysian-made compact passenger van also benefits greatly in the form of free maintenance for the first five years or XNUMX kilometers.

And there's no savings on equipment, with reverse parking alarms, rear-seat DVD, stylish twin five-spoke alloy wheels and a full-size spare on the base GX. The upgraded Proton GXR test car also added a rearview camera, cruise control, daytime running lights, rear roof spoiler and leather seat upholstery, all for an extra $2000.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

The engine is a boosted version of the naturally aspirated 1.6-liter unit found in the Proton Preve GX, with a shorter stroke and lower compression required for a supercharged engine. 103kW of peak power might seem like a disadvantage for a seven-seat station wagon, but performance is ample thanks to the 205Nm of torque delivered at 2000rpm, paired with an efficient continuously variable transmission.

Engineers at the British sports car company Lotus, owned by Proton, made a relatively stiff suspension and taught the steering. It's certainly not sporty, but it performs well enough and the dynamics are better than you'd expect from an inexpensive van.

Expect to use eight to nine liters per 100 kilometers in everyday city driving and open road running. Disc brakes in a circle, ventilated in front.

SECURITY

Electronic stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes and speed-activated door locks, as well as four airbags, give the Exora a four-star ANCAP safety rating, while plenty of high-strength steel is used to give the body strength and rigidity.

DRIVING

Exora, almost 1700 mm high, stands high, which is only emphasized by the small width (1809 mm). The front has all the grilles and air intakes found in modern cars, the hood slopes towards the sharply angled windshield.

The roof rises and falls to a vertical tailgate topped with a subtle spoiler only on the GXR. 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in good tires. However, tires can be noisy on some rougher road surfaces.

Inside, it's a cheap dig rather than a luxury hotel, with a hodgepodge of plastic and metal trim, somewhat elevated in the Proton GXR's leather upholstery. The seats are flat and not supportive, but they allow you to carry various loads thanks to a variety of adjustments - the second row is divided in a 60:40 ratio, the third row is 50:50. Spacious overhead, no room for shoulders.

The third row of seats is for children only, making it very attractive to toddlers thanks to the roof-mounted DVD player. There is little room for luggage in the rear when using the seats, and access to luggage can be risky with a tailgate that doesn't rise above a reasonable head height. Ouch! Though if you're smart, you'll only do it once...

VERDICT

Turn a blind eye to some common fixtures and fittings, and the Proton Exora is for those who need cargo capacity without breaking the family budget.