2019 Proton Persona facelift launched – fr RM42,600

2019 Proton Persona facelift launched – fr RM42,600

The 2019 Proton Persona facelift has just been launched here at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, nearly two months after Proton released the first set of official photos. As before, four variants are on offer, starting with the Standard MT (RM42,600), Standard CVT (RM44,600), Executive CVT (RM49,600), and Premium CVT (RM54,600). Mind you, prices are lower by RM5,000 compared to the 2016 launch, so there’s that.

According to Proton, there’s approximately 303 changes done to the Persona, so let’s dive straight into it. The exterior revisions are pretty significant – it now features a new sweeping chrome trim up front that spans across the entire width of the car. Proton calls this the “Ethereal Bow” design, which wraps under the grille. Of course, the new grille also features the familiar “Infinite Weave” pattern we first saw on the X70 SUV.

The headlights are carried over from before, but only the Executive and Premium models get LED daytime running lights (in place of the fog lamps). Follow-me-home lights are also available on the two, however the latter is the only one to get auto headlamps. Further down, the lower grille appears slimmer, with larger air intakes. A slim gloss black strip ties it all nicely together.

2019 Proton Persona facelift launched – fr RM42,600

At the rear, it gets a revised bumper with a slim chrome strip, plus a new rear bootlid garnish with the Proton script. This, plus the shark fin antenna, are standard across all models. A new set of nicer-looking silver 15-inch (same size as before) multi-spoke alloy wheels (Premium gets a two-tone finish) complete the look – the new design also fills up the arches better. Features such as electric door mirrors with auto fold, as well as remote boot release are unique to the Executive and Premium only.

The existing selection of six colours have all been dropped. Instead, only five colours will be offered – Jet Grey, Snow White, Ruby Red, Rosewood Maroon and Armour Silver, and all colours are from Geely’s colour palette, except Ruby Red which is a Proton hue.

Inside, the Persona black and beige colour scheme is retained. There’s a new part-leather upholstery, auto up/down for driver’s side window (previously only auto down; Executive and Premium only), and like the Iriz facelift, the Persona has a new instrument cluster with cleaner dials and a large colour multi-info display (Executive and Premium only).

For kit, Standard and Executive models get urethane steering wheel (Executive is still urethane, but comes with multifunction controls), although items like LCD multi-info display, double-DIN audio head unit with Bluetooth connectivity, two front speakers, and fabric upholstery are for Standard models only. On the plus side, all models get three USB ports – one for data transfer, and two at the rear section of the centre console for charging mobile devices.

As for the Executive model, it gets the new seven-inch touchscreen head unit with Bluetooth and smartphone pairing functions, as well as four speakers. The top Premium model is the only one to get the same “Hi Proton” voice control function as the X70 (minus a few commands for some of the vehicle features), as well as internet connectivity via a built-in eSIM, which Proton says is a first for the segment.

Additional features that are bundled with the advanced head unit include online music streaming and online navigation. Of course, this comes with a five-year data package (1GB monthly), as per the X70.

Elsewhere, the Executive and Premium both share keyless entry with push-start, and part leather part fabric seats (with 60:40 split fold; the Standard models don’t have split folding feature). Also, the Premium is the only model to get the new frameless rear view mirror and new X70 gearknob (complete with a leather boot).

Under the bonnet, the same 1.6 litre VVT four-cylinder petrol engine is unchanged from before. It produces 107 hp at 5,750 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, paired to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a CVT. Proton says that the CVT has been recalibrated to reduce fuel consumption by three to four percent, and changes have also been made to achieve improved braking performance and refinement.

Lastly, safety. The bones are unchanged, so all models get a five-star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating. Dual SRS airbags are standard (only the Premium gets six airbags), as are rear seat Isofix with top tether anchorage, ABS with EBD, ESC, Brake Assist, Traction Control System, Hill Hold Assist, and dual front and rear parking sensors. The Executive and Premium add on reverse camera with dynamic lines.

2019 Proton Persona facelift launched – fr RM42,600

The above applies to both the Persona and Iriz facelift models

To recap, prices start from RM42,600 to RM54,600 (OTR sans insurance), and included in the price is a five-year 150,000 km mileage warranty. Also, Proton is offering a service package (free labour for three service visits), two-year free road tax for the first 1,000 customers, as well as low financing rate of 2.93% per annum for both the Persona and Iriz.

That’s not all – Proton is also throwing in an insurance package which includes coverage for all drivers at no extra cost, flood relief allowance of up to RM1,000, Key Care Cover (up to RM1,000), agreed value coverage (up to 12 years), as well as insurance for policy holder (up to RM15,000).

You may read our first impressions review of the updated Proton Persona here. Also, we’ve prepared a spec-by-spec list of all four variants, plus a video review of the Persona Premium CVT, below.

Proton Persona 1.6 Standard MT – RM42,600
Gets as standard:

Mechanicals

  • 1.6 litre VVT four-cylinder engine
  • 1,597 cc naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol
  • 107 hp at 5,750 rpm, 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm
  • Five-speed manual gearbox
  • ECO Drive Assist light
  • MacPherson strut front suspension, torsion beam rear
  • Ventilated front disc brakes, rear drums

Exterior

  • Reflector halogen headlights
  • 15-inch alloy wheels
  • Shark fin antenna
  • Bootlid spoiler
  • Proton lettering on the bootlid
  • Unpainted side mirrors and door handles
  • Body-coloured B-pillars

Interior

  • Manual air-conditioning
  • Fabric upholstery
  • Height adjustable driver’s seat
  • Urethane steering wheel
  • LCD multi-info display
  • Double-DIN radio/CD player with Bluetooth and USB connectivity
  • Two speakers
  • Two rear USB ports – 1.5 A and 2.1 A outputs
  • 510-litre boot with 14-inch space saver spare tyre

Safety

  • Dual airbags
  • ABS with EBD and brake assist
  • Stability control
  • Rear ISOFIX child seat anchors
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Traction Control System
  • Hill Hold Assist
  • Front and rear parking sensors

Proton Persona 1.6 Standard CVT – RM44,600

Adds on:

Mechanicals

  • Punch CVT

Proton Persona 1.6 Executive CVT – RM49,600


Adds on:

Exterior

  • LED daytime running lights
  • Keyless entry

Interior

  • Push-button start
  • Part-leather upholstery
  • Urethane multifunction steering wheel
  • Colour multi-info display
  • Auto down/up driver’s side window
  • Seven-inch infotainment touchscreen
  • Four speakers
  • Reverse camera with dynamic guide lines

Proton Persona 1.6 Premium CVT – RM54,600


Adds on:

Exterior

  • Automatic headlights
  • Blacked-out B-pillars
  • Two-tone 15-inch multi-spoke alloy

Interior

  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel with multifunction controls
  • Leather-wrapped gearknob with boot
  • Frameless rear-view mirror
  • 4G internet with five-year data package (1GB monthly)
  • ‘Hi Proton’ voice command, online navigation, online music streaming

Safety

  • Six airbags (front, side, curtain)

Browse full specification and equipment of all Proton Persona variants on CarBase.my.

GALLERY: 2019 Proton Persona 1.6 Premium


GALLERY: 2019 Proton Persona 1.6 Executive
GALLERY: 2019 Proton Persona facelift official photos

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Matthew H Tong

An ardent believer that fun cars need not be fast and fast cars may not always be fun. Matt advocates the purity and simplicity of manually swapping cogs while coping in silence of its impending doom. Matt's not hot. Never hot.

 

Comments

  • Mr Loba Loba on Apr 23, 2019 at 9:36 pm

    Many Vios, City and Mazda2 owners had waited with bated breath, upgrading to the Persona FL.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 83 Thumb down 38
    • Sohai on Apr 23, 2019 at 10:13 pm

      Civic at Honda Malaysia website already remove price, facelift on the way soon, guess PH Civic price increase or decrease ???

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • Not really. People who own the Vios, City, Mazda2 and even Bezza are already proud of their own game changer so it’s unlikely for them to switch to the Persona FL.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 46
      • Darren on Apr 24, 2019 at 11:18 am

        8,000 people disagrees with you.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
      • Ghani on Apr 25, 2019 at 2:00 am

        They will change after finding out that Persona servicing is 30-40% cheaper even compared to Beezy.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
    • Not Toyota Fan on Apr 24, 2019 at 8:08 am

      C’mon lah, gotta be logical even if you are the greatest fanbois. The upgrades won’t be coming from those cars you mentioned.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
    • Nagara Borneo Darul Seram on Apr 24, 2019 at 12:37 pm

      It’s time to retire the SAGA model since new PERSONA clashes with its segment.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
    • jinggo on Apr 24, 2019 at 3:12 pm

      Lain macam jilat bang.. ada apa2 ke?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • alldisc on Apr 24, 2019 at 5:39 pm

      This is a relatively new and update model. And now all using Geely colours. Still not interested to sell in China? Can easily get 300k sales (combine Iriz/persona) which is a good volume and economy of scale proton needs so badly.

      Geely GP168 (persona) and Geely IS135 (Iriz)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • This really look like sofa on sofa wheels!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 16
  • Black Sheep on Apr 23, 2019 at 10:04 pm

    Not bad, it’s 5k cheaper. Some production efficiency improvement here.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Calvin on Apr 23, 2019 at 10:14 pm

    Wow! such great value for the money!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • the infinite weave, is first feature on Proton Tuah, isn’t?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Chua Hung Siong on Apr 23, 2019 at 10:36 pm

    the size of the four tyres look awful in relation to body of the car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 3
  • Tun F on Apr 23, 2019 at 10:39 pm

    Finally….. What took them so long to launch… Raya is about months to go

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • Still got enuff time to get. Puasa still not yet here so plenty of time, but book early to avoid disappointment.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Price approval slow

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Loppy on Apr 23, 2019 at 10:41 pm

    Sack the designer. Dun knw wat to say how ugly this design.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 34
  • Chicken soup on Apr 23, 2019 at 10:59 pm

    Looks the same, still shit

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 38
  • Winson on Apr 23, 2019 at 11:22 pm

    The tire so tiny @@
    But what size will make it look better?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
    • Ex VGM staff on Apr 24, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      Proton did use 195 tyres on models like waja and persona gen2. Wider wheels too. It looks better but it added to the unsprung weight and thus affecting on fuel consumption.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Apr 23, 2019 at 11:28 pm

    when ure thinking…wah free road tax but its only rm 90 per year lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 8
  • Amran on Apr 23, 2019 at 11:47 pm

    Campro vvt 1.6? Punch cvt? Nope! Next car!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 18
  • Pity who buy this dont get fuel subsidy and has to pay float price ro 95

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 13
  • Dylan Ch'ng on Apr 24, 2019 at 12:47 am

    Please find a Standard model to do a gallery on. Thank you.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • potato on Apr 24, 2019 at 1:14 am

    No FOLDING REAR SEATS except highest spec gonna kill it’s sales. The supposingly targetted Low-Mid income folks need that folding rear seat to carry things like aircon or furniture from Ikea so they can save hundreds on deliveries. Instead, only give to highest spec? Good move Proton! And rear drum brakes in 2019? Wow!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 18
    • Dylan Ch'ng on Apr 24, 2019 at 11:24 am

      Just like on Bezza, base model don’t have folding seats. A problem to me but I guess you have to make differences between variants some how

      As for drum brakes, many cars still use drum brakes.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • panjang on Apr 24, 2019 at 11:51 am

      Its like saying—Wow Scania,Volvo,CAMC,MAN for still using drum brakes on their lorry until today.

      Rear brakes only assist in low percentage during braking. Using drums does not means its low tech or rear is not important. Drums have better surface contact ratio compared to disc but their main disadvantave is bad heat dissipitation. Using drums on normal everyday car is better.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Engineer on Apr 24, 2019 at 7:29 pm

      Honda City has rear drum brakes. So what’s your problem?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
    • Tun F on Apr 25, 2019 at 12:37 am

      Dude.. Only standard cannot fold back seat…. Read carefully

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Tun F on Apr 25, 2019 at 12:39 am

      Ask Perodua…. All their cars are drum brakes at rear… Oh come on dude

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Loko loba on Apr 24, 2019 at 1:55 am

    LOUSIEST LAUNCH EVENT AT KLCC TODAY!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 25
  • John Lea on Apr 24, 2019 at 6:01 am

    I am pleased that Proton are getting back in the game, please reintroduce the JUMBUCK the world needs a small pickup truck, too many oversized trucks clogging up the roads.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 3
  • CVT is a nightmare to P1

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 10
    • My Saga flx punch CVT clocked 280k km without major issue, 9 years old car

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Spring on Apr 19, 2021 at 7:26 am

      Some Malaysians like 4AT sourced from the museum.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Wondering why they couldn’t add the adjustable head rest to all rear seat of Persona when the Iriz has them. The head rest is also a safety feature for whiplash protection. It’s 2019 and there are still car manufacturers selling safety features segmented by model variants. It boils down to say that a minimum safety level must be imposed by the government so that marginally safe cars shouldn’t be allowed to be sold in the present regardless of brand, national or non-national.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
    • potato on Apr 24, 2019 at 11:40 am

      Iriz even has foldable rear seats on lowest spec. why can’t persona have that unless you go for the highest spec?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • autodriver (Member) on Apr 24, 2019 at 8:41 am

    Big body but small leg (wheel), still look weird. The number of pre facelift persona on the road was rare, with the facelift almost the same will have no impact to grow sales. Just drop the line and come with a new geely rebadge model better. At least the X70 is doing not bad

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 12
  • Not too shabby , manual is wayy better than the crappy cvt

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
  • panjang on Apr 24, 2019 at 8:55 am

    This is not a bargain at all…it robbery in broad daylight while being watch by the salesman, security guard, and sam loo.

    It wont beat the brand image or perception of foreign car but u cant beat having plenty of extra cash monthly.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 20
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Apr 24, 2019 at 9:15 am

    make it 6 airbags for the whole range la

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 5
    • Truckers on Apr 24, 2019 at 4:23 pm

      Aisey. Even Rm130k X-Trail don’t get 6 airbags across the range.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Jascha on Apr 24, 2019 at 9:16 am

    I think the upholstery of the Premium variant should change to full leather instead.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • I would take good quality fabric over fake leather any day. Most of the leather used in this segment is leatherette, not real leather.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • They should also come up with facelifted preve/suprima. The 2018 facelift wasnt really significant.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • u sohai on Apr 24, 2019 at 11:17 am

      i think preve/suprima will stop production , what for need FL on reaching to extinct model ?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
    • I heard already in plan to make new Preve. Preve so old ed, so about time for a new model.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Dylan Ch'ng on Apr 25, 2019 at 10:33 am

      They should but they won’t unfortunately.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • anonymous on Apr 24, 2019 at 9:50 am

    why are still offering unpaint door handle and side mirror?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
    • Dude, your eyes got problem? All of those are painted.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Engineer on Apr 24, 2019 at 7:31 pm

      Perodua offered 50 units Bezza with unpainted bodykit. So why is this a problem?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • proton can how you reduce price up to rm5k, charity company ka? making car but no profit

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 23
    • Engineer on Apr 24, 2019 at 7:32 pm

      Increase price, you complain. Reduce price, you complain. What’s your problem? smh

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
      • I never complaint before..this is first time ….just pity w them lor

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
    • Keith on Apr 24, 2019 at 7:55 pm

      When geely take over, proton already make their supplier cut 30% of the price. Persona price reduce from lower cost, Iris get more value because it share its headlamp with Persona now. Just my though

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Still using the same old engine??????!!!!!!!!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 13
    • Not Toyota Fan on Apr 24, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      What to do??? That’s the ONLY engine Proton has without paying royalties to other manufacturers. Old Mitsubishi, Renault engines are too dinosaur. The Acordana engines are 2.0L & 2.4L and comes with very strict conditions to only use on those cars. Same with Suzuki. Geely collaboration so far limited to 3 models (Boyue, Binyue & Jiaji) & no mention of separate engines/gearbox in the agreement. So, what other engine choice do they have?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Aikon on Apr 25, 2019 at 12:45 pm

      It’s a facelift. Not a new car

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Haidi on Apr 24, 2019 at 11:46 am

    The Persona for Malaysian… Thank you Proton… … …

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • haozz on Apr 24, 2019 at 1:35 pm

    wow smae puch cvt with old engine

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Henry Lim on Apr 24, 2019 at 2:34 pm

    Who care bezza? Anyway, I like new proton FL meter.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Calvin on Apr 24, 2019 at 2:38 pm

    Rear seat no headrest, no rear disk brakes, no projector, no cruise control, still using old engine and slow response CVT, no any surprised even price reduced.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • Abu Bakar on Apr 24, 2019 at 2:52 pm

    I dont need the voice command or etc.. What buyer want is new engine & new gearbox..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • zainal abidin on Apr 24, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    Both Iriz And Persona should have rear brake discs and tube type LED’s inside front and rear lights by now. Iriz striped seat is nice and should be carried into the Persona. Vvt 1.6 engine should be giving at least 120ps. And the (different manufacturer) cvt gearbox should be able to handle the torque. At the same present price. Wishful thinking?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • notagain on Apr 24, 2019 at 3:51 pm

    design still fugly as paultan’s bobble head

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
  • thykrupp on Apr 24, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    looks like almeera nia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • alldisc on Apr 24, 2019 at 5:32 pm

    I am thinking the same. If persona is cheaper then it clearly makes sense that vios and city can also sells at lower price as it still won’t be a direct competition in terms of pricing.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • sktan on May 16, 2019 at 5:39 pm

    why persona not using timing chain ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Muraly on Jun 15, 2019 at 2:06 pm

    Is there any procedures to waive the deposit?? Buy Persona FL without deposit??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mah ang khai on Aug 22, 2019 at 7:53 am

    Can confirm proton car come with insurance on the road at 44600 for standard cvt persona

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Selvaraj Nadarajan on Aug 13, 2022 at 8:52 pm

    Plan to buy ,, need more information

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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