ASEAN NCAP Updates Proton X90 Facelift Rating to 1-Star After ADAS Removed
The newly launched Proton X90 facelift has lost the 5-Star ASEAN NCAP safety rating previously associated with the model, after the updated version was found to no longer include several key Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
Following a review of the facelift’s official specifications, ASEAN NCAP confirmed that the removal of these safety technologies forces the SUV’s rating to be capped at 1-Star under the ASEAN NCAP 2021–2025 protocol.
The safety body also clarified that the 5-Star rating still applies only to Proton X90 units manufactured between 2023 and 2025, which were tested with the full ADAS suite.
Key Safety Systems Removed
According to ASEAN NCAP, the 2026 facelift version no longer includes several driver-assistance features that were present during the original 2023 safety assessment.
These include:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Blind Spot Technology (BST)
The removal of Blind Spot Detection was particularly significant, as it carries strong weighting in ASEAN NCAP’s Motorcyclist Safety category.
Why The Rating Dropped
Under ASEAN NCAP rules, a vehicle’s overall star rating can be restricted if its score in any major safety category falls below the required threshold.
With several ADAS systems removed, the X90’s Safety Assist score dropped, while the loss of blind-spot detection significantly impacted its Motorcyclist Safety score. As a result, the facelifted model’s overall rating is now limited to 1-Star.
ASEAN NCAP Issues Warning
Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Siti Zaharah binti Ishak, Director General of MIROS, said:
“We deeply regret Proton’s decision to remove life-saving ADAS technologies from the new facelift model. To protect consumers and maintain the integrity of safety standards, we have no choice but to revoke the 2023 5-Star rating. This serves as a reminder to all manufacturers: safety is not a trade-off. Do not sacrifice proven safety technology for ‘face-value’ luxuries like infotainment systems or leather upholstery.”
Ts. Yahaya Ahmad, Technical Leader of ASEAN NCAP, added:
“Blind Spot Detection (BSD) is a critical weighted factor in our Motorcyclist Safety category. Its removal, alongside other advanced safety assists, has stripped the X90 of the points that previously earned it a top-tier rating. Safety must be a priority accessible to all, not a luxury. ASEAN NCAP will continue to monitor all rated manufacturers; we will not hesitate to revoke the ratings of any brand that compromises vehicle safety post-assessment.”
What This Means For Buyers
The facelifted Proton X90 was only recently introduced, so the downgrade primarily affects how the new model will be perceived by buyers going forward. Consumers should note that the earlier 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating applies only to the pre-facelift X90 models produced between 2023 and 2025, which were equipped with the ADAS features listed above.
For anyone considering the updated X90, the key difference lies in the removal of driver-assistance safety technology that was previously standard on the model.
A Rare NCAP Move
It is unusual for an NCAP body to revoke a star rating after a model has already been tested and awarded, making this a notable development in the regional automotive safety landscape.
The move also highlights how strongly safety ratings are tied to actual equipment fitted to the vehicle, rather than the model name alone.
CarTok Editor’s Note
In the NCAP world, star ratings are supposed to reward progress — not go backwards. When a facelift ends up with fewer safety systems than the model it replaces, the stars tend to follow the same direction.
