Proton Satria Neo 1.6 GSX (2007) CAR review

So it all comes down to the money?

It always does with cars at this end of the market. And the Satria is both cheap and well equipped: £7995 for the basic 1.3 SX (CD player, air-con, electric windows); £8995 for the GSX (foglamps, 16-inch alloys and colour-coded body bits); and £9595 for the 1.6 GSX. You’d struggle to find a new rival offering as much kit and performance for the money, but cars that come close include Peugeot’s 207 1.4 S and Chevrolet’s Lacetti 1.4 SE.

Verdict

The Satria Neo is another good effort from Proton, but again one that falls short of the standards we expect. While temptingly priced and surprisingly good fun to drive, it also feels cheap, cramped and unrefined. Fifteen years ago when cars came with just a 12-month warranty we could understand why buyers would demand a brand new car. But when you could buy an immaculate nearly new example of a far better car and still have the security of a three-year warranty, we struggle to find justification for a car like the Satria. Even with the little bit of Lotus magic in the chassis.