Proton kicked off 2026 by launching the new X70 MC3, which sees the return of an inline-four engine in place of the inline-three unit that the SUV got back in 2022. Beyond the engine change, the rest of the X70’s powertrain remains largely familiar, including the seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels.
The new Geely-sourced BHE15-EFZ 1.5 litre turbocharged and direct-injected inline-four is also found in the facelifted X50 and produces 181 PS and 290 Nm. Compared to the older GEP3 three-cylinder – also 1.5 litre with turbocharging and direct injection – you’re looking at a gain of 4 PS and 35 Nm. Additionally, Proton promises better NVH with the new engine, which uses a toothed timing chain compared to GEP3 that gets a timing belt.
As with the Saga MC3, we’re here to compare the maintenance costs of the X70 MC3 against its predecessor with the older engine. The figures presented here were taken straight from Proton’s aftersales page on its official website, so let’s get to it.
Over five years/100,000 km, the 2026 X70 MC3 is cheaper to maintain than the 2025 model by RM287.18. Looking closer into the maintenance schedules, we can see the cost and interval change of most items like the engine oil filter (RM50.25), fuel filter (RM28.18), N95 cabin filter (RM79) and engine air filter (RM71.64) are identical for both models.
In terms of differences, the newer model requires less engine oil per interval (4L vs 5L) that sees a reduction in cost. To add, the cost to replace the brake fluid is also less (RM24.10 vs RM50.11), and if you really want to go into detail, so to is the cost of the engine oil drain plug gasket (by 50 sen).
On the other hand, the newer engine requires costlier spark plugs (RM166.72) compared to the outgoing engine (RM117.45) because it needs one more. The 2026 X70 counters this by not requiring a timing belt change, which costs RM195.16 for the 2025 X70. However, the drive belt for powering accessories is costlier for the newer model at RM147.57 instead of RM41.36.
To offset the pricier items, the service labour cost for the 2026 X70 is cheaper at every interval compared to the 2025 X70. When we put the costs together over five years, the end result is that the newer car is cheaper to maintain than the 2022 facelift.
It’s worth mentioning that the cost of owning a car goes far beyond just maintenance, as there are other things to consider like fuel consumption. The 2026 X70 is claimed to consume 6.9 litres per 100 km, which is 5.5% better than the outgoing car’s 7.3 litres per 100 km. That should contribute to ownership savings, although fuel consumption is subjective and dependent on driving style.
Consumables (brake pads, shock absorbers, batteries and tyres) also vary between owners. Both the 2026 and 2025 X70 models share the same wheel sizes of 18 or 19 inches depending on variant, with unchanged tyre sizes as well (225/60 for the 18-inch or 225/55 for the 19-inch). With both having the same engine displacement of 1.5 litres, road tax is identical at RM120.
So, the new 2026 X70 MC3 is cheaper to maintain than its predecessor and priced less spec-for-spec as well at RM99,800 for the Executive (2025 car was RM110,800) and RM112,800 for the Premium (2025 car was RM123,800). It sounds like a win-win situation then, but what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below. As always, things are not always as clear cut when you consider things beyond the standard service costs.
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Under Madani proton maintenance prices going down the wazoo because of his election promise to lower car maintenance prices. He kept his promise so he must be reelected!
the differences between the two are not that significant…
Which smart ass designer said 3 cyclinder was better then 4 cyclinders is a moron!!
those “smart” buyers who paid 380k for corolla gr will be very sad to hear you say that
old design………………..
Dct Change only at 80K ..?? Gearbox can bye bye faster…