In the past few years, we have witnessed SUVs selling for the price of sedans. Their sales numbers are such that it feels like they’ll be taking over sedans anytime now.
What if there are SUVs which are cheaper than sedans? If you think it’s not true, think again. Proton and DFSK, a Malaysian and a Chinese auto manufacturer respectively, which already offer the most affordable cars in their relative segments, are set to launch their compact SUVs in Pakistan.
Let’s find a bit more about each and how they compare against each other.
Malaysian vs Chinese: Proton X50 vs. Glory 500
Proton is a famous Malaysian car brand, which has been recognized for making Malaysia’s best-selling SUV in 2022. A few years back, Proton introduced the Proton Saga and Proton X70 in Pakistan. Both didn’t do well due to their poor fuel economy and delays in production. Now it’s back again with Proton X50 which resembles X70 in many ways. More on it later in the blog.
DFSK is known for its budget SUVs. This Chinese automaker is already holding firm in the Pakistani market with its Glory 580, a compact crossover SUV. DFSK plans to introduce a mid-range 500 series compact SUV in Pakistan soon to rival KIA Stonic and Proton X50.
Let’s see how the two fare head-to-head.
Exterior
Proton X50 design is better than any other SUV in this category. The design features are astonishing, it has a dual-tone exterior design, full LED headlights, and a welcome lamp that lit up your footstep with the proton logo. The DRLs along with sharp character lines is a head-turner.
Credit: DFSK
Glory 500 also offers a dual-tone exterior. However, Glory 500 feels more mature from the outside. It also boasts strong character lines and a sloped roof design that adds to the modern looks of this vehicle. It’s a sizable SUV with features similar to the more premium Glory 580. Let’s compare the exact dimensions of Proton X50 and Glory 500.
| Dimensions | Proton X50 | Glory 500 |
| Length ✖ Width ✖ Height (mm) | 4330 ✖ 1800 ✖ 1609 | 4385 ✖1850 ✖1645 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2600 | 2655 |
| Kerb weight (kg) | 1325-1370 | – |
Interior
Proton X50 is sporty on the outside as well as inside. It offers a leather steering wheel in its premium variant while the base variant comes with urethane steering. You also get a digital odometer in higher trim. Proton offers seamless connectivity to floating multimedia displays. Seats are comfortable; the rear passengers get rear AC vents along with USB ports.
Credit: DFSK
DFSK Glory 500 has a cockpit design just like MG HS. The dual-tone dashboard houses radial AC vents that feel premium. The interior is very spacious and has all bells and whistles like electronic parking brakes, digital climate control, and push start. Glory 500 is longer and wider which means it holds more space on the interior as well.
Engine and Performance
Proton X50 comes in four different trims and all are equipped with a 1.5L turbocharged engine generating 148hp and 226 Nm of torque. However, Proton juices up the same engine with direct fuel injection rather than MPI, to deliver an extra punch for its top of the line variant. Its flagship Proton X50 generates 174 hp and 255 Nm of torque.
That’s a lot of power from a small 1.5L engine telling that Proton X50 is a powerful machine. Proton X50 comes with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with a 2WD option only. Proton X50 is the most powerful compact SUV among the Peugeot 2008, KIA Stonic, and Glory 500.
Credit: DFSK
Glory 500 comes with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine producing 116hp and 147.5 Nm of torque. Glory 500 is the biggest in size as compared to all of the subcompact SUVs mentioned above. With such a large body and 1.5L engine, its engine isn’t at par with Proton X50 by any means. This doesn’t mean it underperforms. It’s an efficient engine that doesn’t feel underpowered.
Comfort and Handling
Proton X50 offers a smooth and comfortable ride. However, it’s more focused on handling than comfort. Proton X50 is a fun vehicle to drive. A large tyre size of 215/55/R16 adds to the responsive handling of this car. Good leg space and headspace increase the comfort level of the subcompact SUV.
Credit: DFSK
Glory 500 is almost as big as KIA Sportage. Though it’s slightly taller and a tad bit smaller in length.
Fuel Average
Proton X50 provides a fuel economy of 13-15 Km/L depending upon driving style and traffic. One thing to keep in mind is that since the X50 is a turbocharged engine, you’ll be better off using Hi-octane. Proton X50 comes with a 45L fuel tank allowing it to travel over 500km on a single tank.
Glory 500 delivers a fuel economy of 12-15 Km/L which is decent, considering the dimensions of this vehicle. It comes with a 46L tank that’s enough to keep you going for over 500km in a full tank.
Safety Features
Both of these sub-compact SUVs have impressive safety and comfort features. Many of these features are absent in locally manufactured sedans that cost more than these SUVs.
| Features | Proton X50 | Glory 500 |
| ABS with EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbags | 4-6 | 2 |
| Hill descent assist | ✓ | – |
| Rain sensor viper | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto headlights | – | ✓ |
| Panoramic sunroof | ✓ | ✓ |
| Push start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto hold | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic parking brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Emergency Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Voice command | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front and Rear Parking sensors | ✓ | – |
| LED headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Assist | ✓ | – |
| TPMS | Only in the top 2 variants | – |
| Adaptive cruise control | ✓ | – |
| Auto Park assist | Only in top of the line variant | – |
Expected Price and Launch date
The expected price of Proton X50 is around Rs.4 million depending upon the variant. There is no official news regarding the expected launch date of X50 in Pakistan. We will let you know about the launch date once it’s announced by the company.
Glory 500 has an expected price of Rs.3.5 to 4 million. Currently, there is no reliable information regarding the expected launch date of Glory 500. We will let you know once we have confirmed news about the launch.
Which is it? Proton X50 or Glory 500?
Now you know the specs, features and expected price of Proton X50 and Glory 500. We believe the Proton X50 is worth its price. All things considered, Proton X50 and Glory 500 would be a great addition to the Pakistan auto industry.
Considering that we have local sedans like Civic and Corolla priced at more than Rs.4 million that lack many features that these two SUVs have, it is no surprise SUVs seem to be taking over sedans.
Do you think these subcompact SUVs will be well received in the local market? Let us know your thoughts about these SUVs in the comment section below.
Looking at the current situation Toyota and Honda would need to either bring down their prices exponentially or add an absurd amount of features that usually you get with a sedan like a Mercedes or BMW or Ferrari or Lamborghini. Otherwise, Toyota and Honda would become a part of history in the near future. Since, there cars are poorly manufactured lack basic features no safety testing or options much smaller than an SUV and the price is same if not more. So, they would drastically need to up their game or loose to these amazing SUV’s which are being flooded in to the market. The good thing about all this is atleast this broke their monoply in the market and if they won’t make changes very soon they will be a part of history. Nobody would even consider buying such expensive poorly manufactured car in comparison to the tons of options in SUV’s which are better in every aspect, be it features, manufacturing, safety, engineering plus cabin room. Even the most cheapest SUV in the market right now is way better then top of the line Toyota or Honda variants. So, basically Toyota and Honda have almost lost this war and are on their last breaths. Only a miracle could only bring back the good old days when these two compa ies had complete monoply over the car market. I remember first Toyota used to be called the cash car and only people used to buy Honda just for starus symbol and it’s not that long ago then Honda became a cash car as well. Now, I believe social media and especially automobile oriented websites have played a vital role in breaking their monopolies and ghank God for that. They used to charge us insane ridiculous prices for pieces of junk that they called themselves a starus symbol cars. I am so happy that these compact SUV’S have broken their pride and ego and taught them a valuable lesson that you can only exploit people till a certain time and after that ot comes back to haunt you and bite you back on your behind. I am sure their sales have already dropped to record low and pretty soon ghey will have to go out looking for customers to buy their cars. Serves them right for exploiting us for decades. Now it’s their time to pay.