2019 Proton Persona 1.6 Premium CVT Review

In Malaysia's B-segment sedan market, family users and young professionals have always been the main consumer groups. They value daily practicality while also needing the convenience of basic configurations. As a popular model from the local brand, the 2019 Proton Persona 1.6 Premium CVT version, priced at 54,600 MYR and equipped with 6 airbags and keyless entry, has garnered a lot of attention. The primary goal of this test drive is to evaluate whether it truly meets the daily needs of family users in terms of power, space, and features.

From the exterior, the 2019 Persona 1.6 Premium CVT continues Proton’s family design language, with an overall style that leans towards stability but includes some distinctive details. The upper grille at the front is moderately sized, with Proton’s round logo embedded in the middle. The trapezoidal lower grille, combined with black trimming on the fog light areas on both sides, makes the front look wider. The side profile shows flowing lines, with the waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, adding a sense of three-dimensionality. The 15-inch wheels are fairly standard in design but come paired with 185/55 R15 tires, ensuring stability during everyday driving. At the rear, the horizontally designed taillights are connected by a chrome trim on the trunk lid, enhancing its recognizability. The black lower trim on the rear bumper and the concealed exhaust setup make the rear appear more streamlined. In terms of lighting, it is equipped with halogen headlights and LED daytime running lights. The automatic headlight function is handy, activating automatically in tunnels or during dusk, proving to be quite practical.

Stepping into the interior, the cabin features black as the main color tone. The dashboard is made of soft-touch materials paired with silver accents, offering a somewhat refined feel, though the proportion of hard plastic is slightly high. The centerpiece of the dashboard is a 7-inch touch screen that supports Sound Plus functionality. Its operating smoothness is decent and is sufficient for basic music playback and Bluetooth connectivity needs. The multifunction steering wheel integrates volume adjustments and call-answering buttons on the left side, while the right side controls the trip computer, making everyday operations relatively convenient. The instrument cluster adopts a backlit mechanical needle design, displaying information such as RPM, speed, and fuel levels, which are clear and easy to read. In terms of features, the keyless entry and push-start system are very practical, eliminating the need to frequently pull out the key. The front row is equipped with a manual air conditioning system, where the adjustment knobs have moderate resistance and are intuitive to operate. The rear row has air conditioning vents and two USB ports, meeting the charging needs of rear passengers. The seats are upholstered in fabric material, with manual adjustment available for the driver and front passenger seats. The backrest and cushion support are good, ensuring long trips are not overly fatiguing.

Space is a major concern for family users. The 2019 Persona has a wheelbase of 2555mm and a body length of 4362mm. After adjusting the front seats for a comfortable driving position, a passenger with a height of 175 cm still has a fist’s worth of headroom. The rear legroom is approximately two fists, with one fist of headroom, accommodating three adults without feeling too cramped. The trunk offers a capacity of 510L with a wide opening, easily fitting two 28-inch suitcases along with some smaller items. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding design, allowing space to be expanded for long items when needed. In terms of storage, the front central armrest box and door panel compartments provide decent capacity for small items like phones and water bottles.

The powertrain is equipped with a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 109PS and a peak torque of 150N·m, paired with a CVT gearbox. During daily driving, the start-up is relatively smooth, the throttle response is not particularly sensitive, but after pressing down two-thirds of the throttle, there is a noticeable increase in power, requiring a bit of advance planning for overtaking. The gearbox offers good smoothness, with minimal perceptible gear shift jerks, making it suitable for urban commuting. It only comes with standard driving mode, with no sport or economic modes to choose from, which makes it somewhat simplistic. The suspension setup consists of a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, tuned more towards comfort. When going over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension filters out most vibrations, though rear passengers may experience slight bounces. At high speeds, the vehicle maintains good stability, with almost no noticeable slack in the steering wheel, and the steering accuracy meets the standards for a family car.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the official combined fuel consumption is 8.4L/100km. During the test drive, with 70% in urban conditions and 30% on highways, the dashboard displayed fuel consumption of approximately 9.2L/100km. Considering the weight of the vehicle at 1193kg, this level of fuel consumption is average among similar models. The braking performance is moderate, with a pedal travel that feels just right. The initial braking force is slightly soft, but it gets sufficient in the later stages. During emergency braking, the vehicle maintains a stable posture. For noise control, the interior remains relatively quiet below 60km/h, with little noticeable tire or engine noise. However, wind noise gradually increases when the speed goes beyond 80km/h, though it stays within an acceptable range.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2019 Proton Persona 1.6 Premium CVT lie in its value for money and features. With a price of 54,600 MYR, you get features like 6 airbags, keyless entry, and rear air vents, making it very competitive among vehicles in the same class. Compared to the Perodua Bezza, it offers more space, and compared to the Honda City, it provides better features, though the brand premium is slightly lower. This car is suitable for family users focusing on practicality and cost-effectiveness. It can meet daily commuting needs, picking up kids, or short weekend trips. If you are looking for performance or luxury, you might want to consider other models. However, for most home-use scenarios, this car is a balanced and pragmatic choice.

In summary, the 2019 Proton Persona 1.6 Premium CVT is a sedan designed with family needs in mind. It offers adequate space, practical features, and moderate fuel efficiency. While there is room for improvement in terms of power and interior material quality, given its price point, it is a worthwhile option for a family car.