VINCAR has officially launched the Proton e.MAS 5 in Singapore at $159,988 with guaranteed COE — the brand's second EV here after the e.MAS 7, and a model that's already sold over 10,000 units in Malaysia. That price puts it meaningfully below what buyers typically pay for a similarly-specced compact EV in Singapore, which makes this less a "should I consider Proton" question and more a straight value comparison. Here's the breakdown.
At The Launch
On the Ground at 24 Leng Kee Road
We were at the official launch event, where VINCAR walked through the e.MAS 5's spec sheet and positioning for the local market in person rather than just over a press release.
Design & Practicality
Small Footprint, Deceptively Big Boot
At 4,135mm long with a 2,650mm wheelbase, the e.MAS 5 sits squarely in compact SUV territory — a sensible size for Singapore's carparks and narrower roads. Semi-concealed door handles and aero alloys keep the exterior clean rather than fussy.
Storage & Space
32 Compartments, and a Frunk You'll Actually Use
Proton's headline number is 32 storage compartments, plus a 70-litre front trunk on pneumatic rods and 375 litres in the rear. Whether that "best-in-class" tag holds up against the rest of the segment is something we'll only confirm once we've had the tape measure out ourselves.
Cabin & Technology
A 14.6-Inch Screen Runs the Show
The cabin centres on a 14.6-inch display running Proton's ATLAS Auto software, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a live charging map baked in — useful given how patchy public DC charging still is here. Voice control covers English (Bahasa Melayu doesn't help most SG owners much, but it's there). The Proton e.MAS app handles remote functions and scheduled charging, which matters more in Singapore than most markets given our overnight EV tariff structures.
Our Take
At $159,988 with guaranteed COE, the e.MAS 5 is priced to undercut what's typically the default choice in this segment by a real margin — not a rounding error. Rear-wheel drive is also genuinely unusual at this price point; most Chinese-platform compact EVs here are front-driven. Combined with a multi-link rear and a 4.95m turning radius, this could be the more engaging car to actually drive. But 85kW and 150Nm on a Premium-only lineup means it isn't chasing performance numbers — it's chasing a smooth daily-drive feel at a sharper price. We'll reserve final judgement until we've had wheel time.
Safety & Drivability
Six Airbags and a Full ADAS Suite, Standard
Every e.MAS 5 gets six airbags and a fairly complete ADAS list as standard — adaptive cruise, AEB, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera with 3D display. Proton quotes a 100-0km/h braking distance of 36.9m, which is a strong figure if it holds up in independent testing rather than controlled conditions. The 30.12kWh Prime and 40.16kWh Premium packs (CATL LFP) give a WLTP range up to 325km on the Premium — worth noting WLTP tends to run 15-20% optimistic versus real-world SG driving with AC running. Rear-wheel drive and a multi-link rear round out a layout we'll properly assess once we've had wheel time.
e.MAS 5 vs e.MAS 7
Which Proton Actually Fits You
With two EVs now in the lineup, the real question isn't "why Proton" — it's which one. The e.MAS 5 is the compact, Category A play. The e.MAS 7 is the bigger, faster, Category B family SUV that launched here first.
| Spec | e.MAS 5 (Premium) | e.MAS 7 (Premium) |
|---|---|---|
| Price w/ Guaranteed COE | $159,988 | $177,988 |
| COE Category | Category A | Category A |
| Battery | 40.16kWh CATL LFP | 60.22kWh |
| Claimed Range | Up to 325km (WLTP) | Up to 410km (claimed) |
| Power / Torque | 85kW / 150Nm | 100kW / 320Nm |
| Drive Layout | Rear-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Acceleration | 0-50km/h in 3.9s | 0-100km/h in 9.9s |
| Body Style | Compact SUV | Mid-size SUV |
e.MAS 7 is offered in a single Premium variant at $177,988 with guaranteed COE, Category A. Acceleration figures aren't directly comparable (0-50 vs 0-100), included as published by each model.
Key Specs — e.MAS 5 Premium Variant
The Numbers
$159,988 with guaranteed COE is the number that matters here — with the e.MAS 7 already in the market, this is Proton betting its second EV wins on price rather than novelty. Whether that gap holds once promotions and variant options come in is worth watching.
See the e.MAS 5 in person
From $159,988 w/ Guaranteed COE · 24 Leng Kee Rd, #01-02, Singapore 159096 · Daily 10am–7pm