2018 Proton Iriz 1.3 Standard & 1.6 Premium CVT review

REFINED TO ST‍‍‍AY RELEVANT

words by KON

Proton’s decline in fortunes over the last one-and-a-half decades has been well-documented. Things are looking better in the years ahead under Geely’s ownership, but much work needs to be done before the company even reaches the turning point of reviving its fortunes.

Hopes are being pinned on the range of new models that the Chinese maker plans to bring in, but the realities of logistics and production plus the not-inconsiderable task of re-engineering these naturally left-hand drive vehicles into RHD configuration mean that any model-led transformation is still some months away, meaning, for the time being, Proton’s existing models need to carry on the torch.

Being launched in 2014 and having also spawned the Persona sedan derivative, the Iriz is, in automotive years, entering middle-age – still good enough to sell, but newer and better cars have since entered the market, one of them being the all-new 3rd gen Myvi.

A refined Iriz was introduced in 2017. It’s not quite a facelift – there are no changes to the car’s appearance – but mechanical refinements made on the platform whilst developing the Persona have been implemented. Proton calls it the Iriz Refinement, so the product pitch is obvious.

Proton Iriz

The 1.3- and 1.6-litre Campro engines of the Iriz should indeed require no further introduction. Both powerplants are unchanged from before, but how they sit in the engine bay is.

The number of engine mounts has been reduced from four to three, but if you’re thinking that’s a cost-cutting measure, it isn’t. Engine mounts can wear unevenly due to driving conditions; with four engine mounts – one unevenly worn mount gives freeplay that results in severe engine vibrations. With only three mounts, however, the engine press firmly on all mounts at all times. Think of the uneven tables at your neighbourhood mamak for analogy.

The much-maligned Punch CVT has received some tweaks as well with better-calibrated software making it smoother at low speeds and more responsive under exuberant driving.

Line-up has been trimmed, with only three grades on offer – Standard, Executive, and Premium. The lower two grades offered in conjunction with the 1.3-litre engine, whilst the range-topping exclusively with the 1.6. You get a choice between manual and CVT for the 1.3 Standard, but the other two grades are CVT-only.

For the purposes of this review, we drove the 1.3 Standard manual and 1.6 Premium CVT – the cheapest and costliest variants of the range.

SPECS & FEATURES

Outward changes of the Iriz’s appearance are minimal, to the point that there’s no great importance to expend more than a few lines to discuss the matter. If we must highlight, you can differentiate these newer cars from their older versions by the black trim replacing the chromed areas. The 1.6 Premium additionally gets a black roof.

Inside, the cabin layout, too, is unchanged, though the red and blue stripes on the seat upholstery come as a nice new detail. Fit and finish feel improved from the 2014 model, but our 1.6 Premium test car still had a few minor quality niggles – loose driver door hinge and an improperly-fastened sunshade mirror. These are not issues that will leave you stranded by the road side, but you definitely won’t encounter them in a Myvi.

Speaking of the Myvi, the Iriz is longer in length, height, and wheelbase, but you might not have guessed that on a visual inspection. Perodua’s expertise with packaging small cars mean that cabin space is far better maximized in the Myvi, although the Iriz’s centre console is better-partitioned for small item storage.

DESIGN

Whilst the new Myvi is packed with a number of jaw-dropping features offered for the first time in its price range, the Iriz’s USP is not something you can pick up on the spec sheet or even the showroom floor. Those in the know, however, will appreciate that, for the money, or may be even double the price; you’d struggle to find a car with the dynamic talents to match the Iriz.

‍‍‍The chassis is assuringly planted at high speeds and at the same time impressively adept at managing body movements under rapid changes of direction. It is a car you can chuck about with relish and gives you the confidence to keep up with fast traffic on highways, though there’s a big but accompanying this.

The Punch-sourced CVT is much-improved in its calibration – it is noticeably smoother in town driving and more responsive too, but it still makes an unpleasant-sounding drone on the move. Not an issue in the city, but can be tiring when covering long distances, given the Iriz’s big car-rivalling high speed composure, that seems a waste.

Interestingly, or perhaps infuriatingly, it is the base 1.3 manual version that feels best to drive, and not just for the pleasure of rowing through its gears. Ride seems smoother than 1.6 and steering too seems livelier with its feedback. There is a genuine impression that the Iriz’s development was centred on the 1.3 manual with the other engine-transmission combos being later derivatives.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The Iriz is a car with some flaws, but it does have redeeming qualities. Its fun handling means that it is a car that enthusiasts shopping at this budget simply cannot write off. Not immediately, at any rate.

The new Myvi simply cannot match the Iriz when it comes to driving enjoyment, but sadly for Proton, that is the only advantage that the Iriz objectively enjoys. Simply put, Perodua has managed to pack more features – LED headlights and autonomous emergency braking just to name two – into the Myvi whilst topping off at a lower price tag than the Iriz.

Proton has put in a commendable shift to improve the Iriz, but it will continue to struggle to get anywhere near the Myvi’s numbers on the sales charts. Nice to drive, but needs better features and quality to genuinely compete.

VERDICT

The segment’s benchmark car. Amazingly roomy given its size, and does not drive half-bad.

‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Kia Rio‍‍‍‍‍‍

Best looking of the lot and generously equipped, but 1.4-litre 4-speed auto setup is underwhelming and struggles to pull the car’s weight.

Perodua Myvi ‍‍‍

Does not drive as well as the Iriz, and chassis does not feel as solid, but the Perodua is superior in all other areas.‍‍‍

THE COMPETITION

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