2023 Proton Persona 1.6 Standard CVT Review

In Malaysia's B-segment sedan market, economical and practical models have always dominated, with consumers valuing both the reliability of basic transportation and the practicality of the features. The 2023 Proton Persona 1.6 Standard CVT stands out as a popular choice in this segment, offering a number of advanced safety features at an entry-level price while maintaining Proton's signature advantage in space. This time, we got our hands on the actual car, and our primary goal is to test its performance in daily commuting and family usage scenarios to see if its "high cost-performance" label is justified.

In terms of exterior design, the entry-level Persona continues the family styling, with an overall stable and practical look. The front features a large trapezoidal grille with horizontal chrome trim, adding visual width. The sharp halogen headlights on both sides naturally connect with the grille edges. Although there are no LED light sources, the illumination is sufficient for daily use when lit. The side profile of the car features smooth lines, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear. With 15-inch steel wheels (covered with plastic caps), the design avoids excessive flourishes and aligns with its family-oriented positioning. At the rear, the horizontally-arranged taillights have a simple internal light strip design. The black-colored trim at the bottom of the rear bumper matches the body color, adding a slight sporty touch, but overall the focus remains on practicality.

Sitting inside, the interior style is simple, with the dashboard made of hard plastic, which aligns with its price point, but the workmanship is relatively neat without noticeable gaps. The instrument cluster is backlight analog, displaying basic information such as RPM, speed, and fuel level in a clear and readable way. The center console is equipped with a standard sound system. While it doesn't feature a touchscreen, it supports radio and USB connections and meets basic entertainment needs. The sound quality of the two speakers is decent, suited for listening to the radio or light music on a daily basis. The seats are made of fabric, with manually adjustable front seats that offer decent support in the backrest and cushion, allowing for comfortable long drives. The backseat has fixed backrests that cannot be folded down to expand the trunk space, but it does come with an ISO FIX child seat interface in the middle, making it suitable for families with children. For space, the car has a wheelbase of 2,555mm, providing about a fist’s clearance of headroom in the front row, around two fists of legroom in the rear row, and about one fist of headroom in the back, making short trips for five passengers feasible. The trunk has a capacity of 510L, capable of fitting two 28-inch suitcases, which is sufficient for daily shopping or short trips.

As for the engine, the 1.6L naturally aspirated engine produces a maximum power of 80kW (109PS) and a peak torque of 150N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. The power delivery is smooth at startup without any noticeable jerks. The throttle response is linear, making it suitable for low-speed urban driving. At speeds above 60km/h, the acceleration decreases slightly, and overtaking requires pressing the accelerator more firmly. The transmission simulates gear shifts to increase the RPM, and during this time, the engine noise becomes more pronounced inside the cabin. However, when the RPM is maintained around 3000, the power output is still adequate for overtaking. There are only two driving modes: economy and normal. In economy mode, the throttle response is softer, ideal for fuel-saving during daily commutes. In terms of handling, the combination of a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension is tuned for comfort. When passing over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension absorbs most of the jolts, ensuring rear passengers don't experience intense vibrations. The steering wheel has moderate weight with little free play, and body roll is kept within a reasonable range when cornering, contributing to flexible everyday driving. In the fuel consumption test, the car recorded 7.5L per 100km in congested urban traffic and about 5.8L per 100km on highways (at speeds of 90-110km/h), with a combined fuel consumption close to the official claim of 6.6L. Its fuel efficiency is commendable. In terms of braking, the combination of front ventilated disc brakes and rear drum brakes responds promptly, with the car maintaining a stable posture during emergency braking and showing no significant deviation.

In terms of ride comfort, the noise insulation performance is average. At speeds below 60km/h, tire and wind noise are not obvious; at speeds above 80km/h, wind noise enters the cabin from the A-pillars, and tire noise also increases but remains within an acceptable range. The air conditioning is a manual single-zone control with a relatively fast cooling speed. Although there are no independent air vents for the rear seats, when the front airflow is sufficient, the rear seats can also cool down quickly. Safety features are a highlight of this model, with standard ABS, Electronic Stability Control, 4 airbags (driver, passenger, and front side airbags), rear parking sensors, and hill-start assist. These features are relatively rare in cars of the same price range and enhance daily driving safety.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2023 Proton Persona 1.6 Standard CVT lies in its "practicality"—spacious enough for family use, superior safety features, economical fuel consumption, and a 5-year/150,000km warranty policy that lowers the cost of long-term use. Compared to the same-segment Perodua Myvi 1.5 Premium, the Persona offers more rear-seat space and extra airbags. Compared to the Honda City 1.5 S, though slightly lacking in power and features, it is approximately RM 10,000 cheaper, offering higher cost-effectiveness. This car is more suitable for budget-conscious consumers who focus on family use, such as young professionals or families of three with children. It's very suitable for daily commuting, grocery shopping, and picking up kids.

In conclusion, the 2023 Proton Persona 1.6 Standard CVT is not a vehicle that pursues performance or luxury but is a "just right" family car. It meets your basic needs for space, safety, and fuel efficiency, while being very affordable. If you're looking for a reliable and worry-free commuter car, it's worth considering.