VIDEO: Road trip to Melaka and back in the new 2025 PROTON X50 SUV

This is a review of the new 2025 PROTON X50 compact SUV. This was recently launched here in Malaysia and is the facelift of what is currently the most popular B segment Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in Malaysia. It features a redesigned front and rear end, a redesigned interior with a very large, now HD infotainment screen with a new dashboard design. Most importantly is a new 1.5liter turbo petrol 4 cylinder engine replacing the old 3 cylinder one. The new engine runs through a 7 speed dual clutch transmission to the front wheels and it quite a nippy little SUV. Here, we take it from the Klang Valley to the streets of Melaka, and back. 

Watch the video to see what we think about this popular SUV during the road trip.

Video: 2025 Omoda J8 AWD SUV tested off-road

We get to take it on a short off-road session in the 2025 Jaecoo J8 All Wheel Drive variant courtesy of OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia recently. The editor, enjoyed the short test drive session and basically explains how the J8 SUV performed. This J8 AWD actually makes it quite a decent drive for under RM200,000. A lot of decent off-road prowess for something essentially used in urban settings. This is very much a budget Range Rover for those wanting a SUV with some ability.

Do watch the video below. 

VIDEO TEST DRIVE: 4TH Generation Facelifted 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 Turbo Hybrid Max

This is our test of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 Turbo Hybrid Max Facelift (Yes, we are still getting the 4th generation variant here in Malaysia). One of the two petrol variants (this is the higher variant) out of three variants offered in Malaysia. The other is the 2.2 turbodiesel. 

Video: Apple CarPlay in the facelifted 2025 Proton X70 SUV

 Proton has finally ironed all the kinks (and approvals) out for the use of Apple CarPlay in the facelifted 2025 Proton X70 SUV. Here, we have a demonstration of it on the X70's infotainment system below, as published on our YouTube channel. 

VIDEO: We had a go at the 2025 Geely Galaxy E5 aka the upcoming Proton e-MAS 7 EV SUV at the Proton Test Track - Good specs, equipment levels and tech as well as overall styling. Let's Hope that the e-MAS 7 gives us the same

Yesterday, Monday, the 23rd of September 2024, PROTON, together with their technology partner, Geely, hosted a Driving Impression event for members of the media and other guests of which the 2025 Geely E5 battery EV was the subject matter, at the PROTON Test Track. The event provided an opportunity for us to experience the left-hand drive variant of the very recently launched Geely E5, which is the development sibling of the upcoming right hand drive Proton e.MAS 7. If you are not interested in reading this article, you can watch what we think in the video posted from our YouTube channel below.

VIDEO: Test Drive - The 2024/2025 Isuzu D-Max 3.0L 4X4 AT X=Terrain - A pickup truck for daily driving and more

 New test drive video on our YouTube channel folks! This time its a 2024 onwards Isuzu D-Max. The 2024 onwards Isuzu D-Maxis more than a facelift according to the folks at Isuzu. Numerous changes particularly to the front and rear design elements, wheels and interior have been given attention to provide the vehicle with fresh appeal. The pickup truck tested is the Malaysian spec Isuzu D-Max 3.0L 4X4 X-Terrain.

VIDEO: First Real World Drive of the new Facelifted 2025 Proton X70 in Sabah - Our initial impressions about Proton's best selling SUV

New video below folks! PROTON invited members of the media, from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak to try out the newly launched, facelifted 2025 Proton X70 1.5TGDi SUV over in Sabah.. This was held in conjunction with the X70's official launch in East Malaysia. Something new and something which we believe is a good move as East Malaysia is now a major local market for Proton. 

2025 Facelifted Proton X70 SUV launched - Many upgrades with better NVH, Fuel economy and upgraded ADAS with Level 2 are some of the improvements

Many, many moons after its debut on 12 December 2018, Proton’s first SUV has finally been facelifted and upgraded. The popular and now facelifted Proton X70 SUV, a C segment sized SUV, has been unveiled at the Marriott Hotel, Putrajaya. This facelift is about time, and adds a nicely revised exterior, new interior styling bits, new equipment and an upgraded ADAS 2 active safety technology too. But those that want added connectivity to their phone, the X70 is now the first Proton with Apply CarPlay and Android Auto to come with the car.

Video: Preview and Test Drive of the facelifted 2025 Proton X70 SUV - Photos too

 Hello folks! This is the latest preview and test drive together with our thoughts on the upcoming 2025 facelifted Proton X70 SUV. The popular Geely based SUV has finally been facelifted and it has a lot of new stuff inside as well as new looks on the outside. The exterior gets a new bonnet with power bulges, a reworked front end with new bumper and grille as well as new headlights. The rear gets a reworked bumper that makes it look wider.

Great Wall Motor (GWM) Malaysia will organise an off-road test drive event on July 20th and 21st, 2024, at M4TREC - Book your spot now

 Great Wall Motor (GWM) Malaysia will organise an off-road test drive event on July 20th and 21st, 2024, at M4TREC, a 4WD training and experience centre in Semenyih. It is in conjunction with the GWM TANK 300’s recent launch in Malaysia, for this fully imported (CBU) off-road SUV is priced competitively at RM 250,000 on the road without insurance and comes in four attractive colours: Dusk Orange, Fossil Grey, Crystal Black, and Pearl White.

This event provides the public with the opportunity to experience custom-designed obstacles and challenges that showcase the capabilities of the GWM TANK 300, which is the newest SUV that actually seems to have off-road capabillities rather than the usual soft, urban type crossovers on the market here today. It highlights the Tank 300 as the ideal off-road SUV. Additionally, participants can receive training from expert instructors on how to tackle any rugged terrain during their outdoor adventures.

PROTON Launches the new Proton S70 1.5T Sedan - Prices and details, Brochure and Photos too. - Link to our video review also.

 PROTON has finally launched the S70 sedan earlier this evening. If you've been following the blog you would have known that I have already driven Proton's newest C segment sedan and you can view all four parts of my initial drive over here in the previous article covering that preview drive. Now, Proton has finally revealed the prices for the four variants that will be offered here and I must say that the packages at launch as well as the prices are actually very tempting. 

VIDEO: A very, very, very short test drive of the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0l Bi-turbo Diesel Pickup truck

This is a  video of the very very short test drive we had with the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0l Bi-Turbo pickup truck. Totally impromptu and unscripted. 

The launch event held at the Technology Park in Bukit Jalil continues throughout this weekend where interested parties can register and try out the Ranger Raptor. We managed a very, very short test drive of the Ranger Raptor 2.0L and we were quite impressed with its SUV or even car like refinement inside, even though we were doing a little bit of off-roading. Noise suppression was seriously good and it does feel more SUV rather than a pickup truck. The video is below:-

The Next-Gen 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel is Now Available in Malaysia - We get a short test drive in this Pickup Truck! VIDEO inside

Earlier today I managed to spend some time at the launch event of the Next-Generation 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor. Organised by the good chaps at Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, the Ranger Raptor 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel allows us to have another engine selection for Raptor. The 2.0-litre diesel engine variant joins its 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 petrol engine counterpart in the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor line-up allowing those who like the frugality of a diesel engine (like the previous generation and its cheaper road tax) with all the goodies of the latest one.

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has officially launched the Hyundai Creta in Malaysia. Offered in a sole Plus variant and we managed to test drive it also

Earlier today, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) officially launched the Hyundai Creta for the Malaysian market. The Creta compact SUV is only offered in a single Plus variant, which means that it is a feature-packed SUVwhich sits right smack in the very, very competitive B-segment SUV here. The Hyundai Creta is priced at RM149,888, on-the-road before insurance for Peninsular Malaysia. Yes, Hyundai's entry level B segment SUV now costs over RM150k and to help you decide after already noticing that it is very well specced, HSDM are throwing in a free extended warranty of 5 years/300,000 km as well as 3 years/50,000 km free service for our first 150 buyers. Oh, we managed to try it out also as HSDM had a few units for us to jump into on a short test drive around Ara Damansara and the Subang Airport area. So do read on for details on what we think about the car in this launch article.

Test Drive - Hyundai Kona 1.6Turbo (2021 MY) - This is Actually a Viable Choice For a Compact SUV

What we have here is the 2021 Model Year Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo compact SUV. We had a go in it just before most of Malaysia was placed under the second Movement Control Order due to the current virus pandemic. It was quite lucky in terms of timing if not this review would not have happened. We had managed to take a short trip down to Ipoh with it and if you are actually lazy to read any further, I can easily tell you that this newly launched (here in Malaysia) C-segment SUV is actually quite good for what it is.

What the Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo is a soft roader meant for urban environments with more ground clearance and all the required chunky-boi looks that make compact SUVs the choice over sedans these days. It also has the poke to move and would also give you lots of enjoyment in terms of having more than adequate performance due to its turbocharged 1.6liter engine.

VIDEO: The New Proton X50 1.5TGDI Flagship First Drive at the Second Media Preview - Handling and Acceleration Tested

This 1st drive experience video on the upcoming Proton X50 1.5TGDI SUV was uploaded over at the Motoring Malaysia YouTube Channel last week folks! If you haven't subscribed over there you would have missed viewing it as I have only now attached the video here on the blog. Sometimes, there are benefits to subscribe over there and also to go 'like' our Facebook or follow the Instagram page as I have added the link to the video there. This was the 2020/2021 PROTON X50 SUV 2nd Media Preview at Sepang Circuit. It was also our 1st Drive in the X50 1.5TGDI and therefore our first impressions on it. 

TEST DRIVE (with VIDEO) - 2020 Volkswagen Passat Elegance 2.0TSI - One of the Best Under RM200k Sedans On Sale in Malaysia Today

This is our review of the the 2020 Passat Elegance 2.0TSI. The video is the main review and this article fleshes out a little bit more....So do watch it folks! 

This facelifted model actually takes over both the 1.8liter and 2.0liter TSI variants here and is actually even cheaper than the sole 2.0liter variant sold here previously. The 1.8TSI started at RM159K for the base Trendline and RM179K for the Comfortline. So the single 2.0TSI seems to be good value and actually suits Malaysian car buying trends where the highest specification variant seems to be the one that sells the best in the long run. 

2019 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI Highline Short Test Drive - A Look at This Pre-Facelift D Segment Sedan Before the Facelift Variant is Launched (Details of This Here Also)

This is the 2019 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI Highline. This Passat B8, its model code name, was first launched over in Europe sometime in 2014 and it has been sold here in Malaysia since the end of 2016. We had a go at it when it was launched and recently, we had another go at it courtesy of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia. This to me is a recap to this outgoing model as you can already see plastered on the Volkswagen Malaysia homepage, the teaser pages of the very soon to be launched, 2020 Volkswagen Passat Facelift.

BMW Group Malaysia Celebrates the Joy of Giving at the Bangsar Shopping Centre - From Now Until 26th December 2019

BMW Group Malaysia is currently celebrating the season of giving, or Christmas at the Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) from now until 26 th December 2019. You can celebrate this festive season with BMW and also get a chance to win exclusive BMW merchandise via lucky draw contests, test drives of their dream BMW models. The initiatives happening at this event are also in support of fulfilling the Christmas wish lists of the children from Shelter making these less fortunate kids celebrate a better Christmas than usual.

VIDEO: The 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport & 2019 Range Rover Velar Drive Experience at the Above & Beyond Tour - We Try These SUVs Off-Road and On-Road

Hello again folks! Another video, but this time it isn't featured on Motoring Malaysia's YouTube Channel. It is currently featured on Land Rover Asia Pacific's YouTube channel and this is where I got to try out off-roading and on-roading in the 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport and the 2019 Range Rover Velar SUVs over at the recent Malaysian leg of the Above & Beyond Tour.