Proton Satria Neo 1.6 Sport Auto 3dr Car Review - February 2012

Inside the cabin the dash is simple and most of the switches and controls are within easy reach – the electric window controls are however a little awkwardly positioned. Finding a good driving position could be a problem for some people as the driver’s seat has adjustment for height, but limited travel when sliding backwards and forwards. The steering wheel only has height adjustment available.

The Satria Neo 1.6 Sport Auto comes fitted with a 111bhp, 1.6-litre, 4 cylinder, 16 valve petrol engine as standard. There is no other engine option offered. Producing 109lb-ft of pulling power and a top speed of 115mph it certainly has some power to it – enough for most short journeys or city driving, but it needs to be worked hard to get the best from it on the open road. Average fuel economy is a 39.2mpg and 0-62mph takes 13.7 seconds, neither of which is class-beating.

As far as handling is concerned the Satria performs well, offering good grip, and body roll is well controlled. The steering is precise and responsive, but overall the ride is too firm in city traffic and at higher speeds bumps can be felt in the cabin.

Many of its competitors offer more refinement than the Satria Neo Sport. Its engine is noisy when accelerating and drones at motorway cruising speeds. Road noise and wind noise are also more than you’d like for anything more than the shortest journeys.

It certainly looks the part externally, with its sporty centred tail-pipe and Lotus badges. Entering the cabin however doesn’t maintain the same level of expectation, as it’s full of hard cheap looking plastic.

All Satria Neos come fitted with remote central locking, alloy wheels, electric windows, front fog-lamps, climate control and CD player with MP3 connectivity. This Sport version also gets sports styling, leather seats, rear parking sensors and cruise control (optional with auto gearbox only). You can also specify it with metallic paint as an extra for £365.

For a car of its size, headroom is lacking in both the front and rear, and legroom in the rear is limited too. Getting access to the rear isn’t the easiest of manoeuvres either. The space available in the back won’t win it any prizes; the boot offers 286-litres of space with the rear seats in position and 615-litres with the rear seats folded down.

Satrias come with basic safety equipment fitted. There are driver and front passenger airbags only. Side airbags or curtain airbags are not available – even as optional extras.

Security is taken car of with an alarm and immobiliser.

Proton’s build quality has improved somewhat, but internally it has a cheap feel and look to it thanks to the hard, shiny plastics used and the switchgear. It doesn’t offer more than its competitors and what it does offer isn’t of the same level of quality.

All Protons come with a three-year, 60,000 mile warranty and 9,000 mile service intervals.

Proton has the reputation as a budget car brand; however the £10,295 price you’ll pay for the Satria Neo Sport isn’t as ‘budget’ as it should be. Competitors like the Suzuki Swift cost around the same and the Satria Neo Sport’s 39.2mpg fuel economy and 177g/km CO2 emissions don’t compare favourably against those of the Swift.

Group 19 insurance and Road Tax in VED band I mean that running costs won’t be unreasonable, but it’s still not as economical as some of its rivals.

Your best bet may be to keep an eye on Proton’s website where you can often find deals, and in some cases, discounts of up to £2,500 on the regular list price – then you’re looking at a more desirable proposition all round.