Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 67%

Proton is a car maker with big ambitions. It's expanding the number of dealers around the country, so you can expect to see more of them on the roads.

The Gen-2 is a handsome Focus-sized hatchback with suspension tuned by Lotus. So with that in mind, and 600 miles of driving in front of us, we took to the road.

Read on for our full review of the Proton Gen-2, or click the links below to skip to a section.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals

1. Looks
The Gen-2 is undoubtedly one of the best looking Protons yet. It has a very European flavour in its flowing lines, with the front being the best angle to view it from. The angular grille is becoming a Proton trademark, while its unusual headlamps would fit at home with the most stylish cars in its class. At the back, things aren't quite so rosy, with a pair of lights framing a scalloped bootlid. It's not ugly by any means, but it brings to mind the original Renault Megane – and that design emerged in 1996. All models get 15 inch alloys and most of the plastic trim is colour-coded; a far cry from Protons of old.

8/10

2. Looks inside
Peer through the Gen-2's windows, and the interior looks great – the minimalist dash could have come from a far more expensive rival, as do the optional leather seats in our test car. Climb in and it’s a different story. The dash reveals itself as hard plastic, and little of the trim feels particularly durable. Buttons for the stereo in the centre of the steering wheel rattle on the move, which can be irritating during long runs on worn road surfaces. The heater controls are mounted behind the gearstick and are difficult to see. There's no glovebox, either; it's been replaced by a couple of shelves on the driver and passenger side.

6/10

3. Practicality
There's plenty of room for occupants sitting up front, both above and to the sides. Rear passenger headroom is compromised by the sloping roof line, which is a shame, because it could have a really spacious cabin. The boot isn't the biggest, with around 300 litres of carrying ability. Folding the seats only increases the capacity by another 400 litres, which falls way behind what other models offer.

6/10

4. Ride and Handling
For a hatchback which can be bought new for less than £9,000, the Gen-2 is a very impressive performer on twisty roads. But that should come as little surprise when you consider it's been breathed on by the handling experts at Lotus. Only excessive body roll around bends lets it down. The ride is good too, with relatively little cabin noise or jarring over rough surfaces.

8/10

5. Performance
If you only use the Gen-2 for driving around town, with the occasional speedy drive, this Proton will serve you well. There's only one engine on offer, a 1.6-litre petrol, which will get the Gen-2 to 62mph in 12.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 118mph. On longer motorway runs, it can overtake other traffic with relative easy, although it does get a noisy after a while.

7/10

6. Running Costs
There are few other top-of-the-range family hatchbacks available for less than £11,000. Given the level of equipment, it looks like a bargain. Sadly it begins to appear expensive when depreciation is factored in – it'll retain just 28 per cent of its value after three years. However, Proton do throw in some impressive warranties: 3 year/60,000 mile total vehicle warranty, 6 year/100,000 mile engine and gearbox warranty, 6 year body and paintwork warranty and 3 years' worth of breakdown cover. The Malaysian marque will want to see the car after its first month or 1,000 miles on the road for a service, and every 9,000 miles or 12 months after that. Emissions of 169g/km (or 192g/km for the auto) put our GSX model in a remarkably high tax Band E. It'll also clock around 40mpg on average.

6/10

7. Reliability
Proton has a reasonable reputation when it comes to mechanical reliability; it uses simple and proven technology. It’s a different story with the car's trim, which doesn't look like it'll put up with too much abuse.

7/10

8. Safety
All models in the Gen-2 range come with driver and passenger airbags, ABS and brakeforce distribution as standard. But you'll have to invest in the range-topping GSX models to get front side airbags. Traction control isn't available on any model, and the Gen-2 hasn't yet been crash tested by EuroNCAP.

6/10

9. Equipment
There's a generous level of equipment throughout the Gen-2 range. All models have air-con, a Blaupunkt CD player with controls on the steering wheel, rear parking sensors and electric front windows. Our GSX test car adds climate control, cruise control, electric mirrors and complete colour coding on all the exterior trims.

8/10

10. X-Factor
The Gen-2 is certainly one of the best Protons ever made. It's impressively equipped and you'll be able to boast about Lotus' involvement, but sadly it still lags behind opposition from Europe, Japan and Korea.

6/10

Rivals
You might also want to consider:
Kia Cee'd
Ford Focus
Vauxhall Astra

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