Verdict
The RM59,800 Lite is the rational entry point because its 118 hp/150 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine, eight-speed CVT, six airbags and blind-spot warning suite are unchanged. The RM3,000 step to the RM62,800 Prime is not about pace or extra active safety: it buys 17-inch wheels, LED automatic headlamps, faux-leather seats, automatic climate control, front parking sensors and folding mirrors. For a Malaysian buyer who will use those convenience items every day, the Prime is the better-equipped choice; otherwise, the Lite leaves little mechanical reason to spend more.
Pick the Proton S70 1.5 Lite if you want the same 118 hp, 150 Nm drivetrain and six-airbag safety count for RM3,000 less.
Pick the Proton S70 1.5 Prime if LED auto headlamps, automatic climate control, front sensors and 17-inch wheels justify the extra RM3,000.
Key differences
- Price: Proton S70 1.5 Lite RM59,800; Proton S70 1.5 Prime RM62,800.
- Wheels and tyres: Lite 16-inch turbine-style alloys with 205/55R16 tyres; Prime 17-inch multi-spoke alloys with 205/50R17 tyres.
- Headlamps: Lite halogen; Prime LED auto headlamps with Follow Me Home.
- Front seats and air-con: Lite fabric seats with manual air conditioning; Prime faux-leather seats with single-zone automatic climate control.
- Parking and mirrors: Lite has no front sensors or folding wing mirrors; Prime has two front sensors and folding wing mirrors.
- Weight: Lite 1,269 kg; Prime 1,281 kg.
1.5 Lite
- RM3,000 cheaper with the same 118 hp and 150 Nm output.
- Six airbags, stability control and blind-spot information system.
- 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Halogen headlamps instead of the Prime's LED auto units.
- No front parking sensors or folding wing mirrors.
- Fabric seats and manual air conditioning.
1.5 Prime
- LED auto headlamps with Follow Me Home.
- Faux-leather seats and single-zone automatic climate control.
- 17-inch alloys, front parking sensors and folding wing mirrors.
- Costs RM3,000 more despite sharing the Lite's 118 hp, 150 Nm engine and eight-speed CVT.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM59,800✓ | RM62,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC DVVT (i-GT), Port Fuel Injection | 16-valve DOHC DVVT (i-GT), Port Fuel Injection |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 118 hp at 6,100 rpm | 118 hp at 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed CVT with Manual Mode | 8-speed CVT with Manual Mode |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,602 mm | 4,602 mm |
| Width | 1,809 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,466 mm | 1,466 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,627 mm | 2,627 mm |
| Weight | 1,269 kg | 1,281 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 500 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R16 | 205/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R16 | 205/50R17 |
| Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Turbine-style Alloys | 17" Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Turbine-style Alloys | 17" Multi-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Electric Power Steering | Electric Power Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | ISOFIX with Top Tether | ISOFIX with Top Tether |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Rear Seat Reminder, All Seats | Rear Seat Reminder, All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning, Door Opening Warning; no AEB/ACC/lane-keep (camera ADAS reserved for 1.5TD Flagship variants) | Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning, Door Opening Warning; no AEB/ACC/lane-keep (camera ADAS reserved for 1.5TD Flagship variants) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen | LED, Auto with Follow Me Home |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Fabric | Faux Leather |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air Conditioning | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers | 8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up/Down with Anti-trap | Four Windows, Auto Up/Down with Anti-trap |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start with Remote Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start with Remote Engine Start |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Entry |
| Cruise Control | Cruise Control with Speed Limiter | Cruise Control with Speed Limiter |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 6x free labour servicing | 6x free labour servicing |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
1.5 Lite vs 1.5 Prime FAQ
Is the Proton S70 1.5 Lite or Proton S70 1.5 Prime better?
The Proton S70 1.5 Prime is better equipped, with LED auto headlamps, automatic climate control, front sensors and folding mirrors. The Lite is the sharper value choice because performance, transmission, airbags and core safety equipment are the same.
What is the price difference?
The Proton S70 1.5 Prime costs RM3,000 more than the Proton S70 1.5 Lite.
Do the Lite and Prime get AEB or adaptive cruise control?
No. Both variants lack AEB, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance. Both do get Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning and Door Opening Warning.
