Proton Satria-Neo

Proton’s concerted bid to attract a younger audience starts here, and it could have been a lot worse. The oddly named Proton Satria-Neo both looks good and drives pretty well. But it is still just a Proton…

• Comfort

  Although the Satria-Neo may lack that real edge of refinement that makes cars like the VW Golf or Audi A3 seem so impressive, it's not a bad crack that Proton's had. The real let down is harsh engines that need to be bullied.

  

• Performance

  A choice of either 1.3 or 1.6-litre petrol engines isn't exactly spoiling you, and neither is particularly impressive. The larger option is the one to reach for though, as it's not only quicker, but also marginally more economical.

  

• Cool

  The Satria-Neo is genuinely quite striking, but the fact that it's a Proton is still a seemingly insurmountable obstacle with regard to social status. The difficulty we foresee is that young people still aren't going to buy it, but old people might be put off now too.

  

• Quality

  Just because Lotus might have had a hand in tightening a couple of bolts on this car, don't assume that quality will be any good. The plastics won't be worrying anyone at Volkswagen. Or Tetrapak come to think of it.

  

• Handling

  That all-important involvement from Lotus means the Satria-Neo handles well, with sharp steering, plenty of grip from those driven front wheels and nicely controlled body roll.

  

• Practicality

  Not the Satria-Neo's strong suit, with impeded front headroom thanks to that steeply raked windscreen and no real room to speak of in the back either. To make matters worse the boot is also smaller than average.

  

• Running costs

  Like all Protons, the Satria-Neo will be cheap to buy, insure and run about in, but the residual values tend to be terrible. When you go back to your dealer, if he's still even there, don't expect good news.