The new version of PROTON Holdings Bhd's famous five-seater hatchback is all about power. The "Active" style of the brand gives the B-segment 2022 Iriz, which comes in the 1.3L Standard, 1.6L Executive, and 1.6L Active versions, a sporty, almost rugged look.
It's a unique update that was definitely made to make it stand out from the rest. Success and popularity, on the other hand, rest on where you come from.
Those who pay for the new rocking style will be repaid in their own way. But other than the new paint job, the latest Iriz is pretty much the same model that came out before. This is where your history with the car really matters.
ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
The new Iriz Active looks like the X50 because it has a black roof and roof lines and two different colours. All-new body mouldings start at the front bumper and go all the way around the wheel arches and side skirts to the back bumper. All of the different models have the same front bumper, which now has an Infinite Weave pattern with an Ethereal Bow grille and red underlining.
The model has been updated with LED headlights that can turn on and off by themselves and follow me home.The look is finished off with 16-inch alloy wheels (15-inch alloy wheels for the Standard version), a black roof, and new finishing on the rear combination lamps.
For a younger look, you can now get the Iriz in Citric Orange or Passion Red on the outside. The new eight-inch floating infotainment head unit with voice command features that have been updated to control the air conditioning and driver's window is a noticeable change to the interior.
INTERIOR
It has a total of six USB ports: three in the front, two in the back, and one behind the rear-view mirror to power a dashcam. The new head unit is easy to reach because it is at the top of the instrument panel. The air vents have also been moved, and the new air conditioning controls have a digital monitor and a N95 cabin filter as standard.
The new middle console is more useful because it has a built-in armrest and more storage space. The metal sport pedals that come with the Iriz Active push the sporty feel. Red accents add to the overall feel of the room. "Active" is stitched into the front seats, door trims, and carpet mats, and the steering wheel and seat belts are also red.
SAFETY
The model has a five-star rating from the Asean New Car Assessment Programme (Asean NCAP). It has safety features like a body structure made of hot-pressed steel, electronic stability control, traction control, and hill-hold assist. It also has a back-up camera and parking sensors to help with parking visually and audibly, and it has a "Eco" mode that helps it use less gas.
ENGINE
The Iriz has a 1.6L engine (four-cylinder in-line, 16-valve DOHC, VVT) and a continuously variable gearbox, which gives it a maximum of 109PS at 5,750rpm and 150Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. The Standard model is the only exception. It has a 1.3L engine with 95PS at 5,750rpm and 120Nm of power at 4,000rpm.
Those who want a manual gearbox will be disappointed to learn that there isn't one this time. When the back seats are up, the trunk room is 215 litres. The 1.3L Standard model costs RM40,300, the 1.6L Executive model costs RM47,100, and the 1.6L Active model costs RM54,000. In Peninsular Malaysia, all prices are on-the-road without insurance.
GET GOING
There are two kinds of people who will be interested in the "supermini": those who only know it as a B-segment car and those who know the Iriz has a lot of promise. If you're in the first group, it's easy to think that the new Iriz isn't as good as it is. First and foremost would be its size. Even though the Iriz is called a "compact competitor," it has a lot of space.
If you put it next to most cars, especially those in the A and B groups, you'll be surprised to see that it's the same size or even a little bit bigger. It is 3,965mm long, 1,574mm tall, and 1740mm wide, and its wheelbase is 2,555mm. Despite how it looks, it does have enough room in the bedroom.
From some points of view, it could even look like a small SUV. With the Active styling, the car now looks like it could handle itself in any rough setting. Do not try that, though, because the changes are only for looks and not for how they work.
On the other hand, the cabin has a sportier feel than normal. The choice of design didn't feel too invasive, with the red edges and the word "Active" doing most of the work.
When it comes to standards, the Iriz has always been known as a "zippy-sprinty" car with a good amount of room inside. It's great for city drivers who want a little more excitement. It gets good gas mileage, though it's a bit higher than what the competition gets.
But this is a small price to pay for a 1.6L engine that is bigger and could be more powerful than the normal 1.3L or 1.5L engines.
VERDICT
There are two key possibilities here: the 2022 Iriz's appeal and the Active styling. At a fair price, the car is a great companion for city life. It has a "supermini" design, but it has a bit of speed, room, and usefulness.
The Iriz might be the most sporty and performance-focused car in its price range. If you were interested in the model before the change, now is a great time to take a look at it.
The familiar Iriz is back with updated cabin features and the choice of "new clothes." You're not missing out on anything big, but instead you're getting some extra goodies.
The Active style is more of a novelty for people who think the base model is a little too boring or needs an image boost.
But even though it looks great on the Iriz, price-conscious people shouldn't feel pushed to buy it. Again, the update is mostly about how it looks; there are no changes to how it works. So, function is pretty much the same as it was before the facelift.
The Iriz was already a good choice, but Proton's new style update makes it even better.