Verdict
The Honda City costs RM84,900, RM39,700 more than the RM45,200 Proton Persona, and that gap brings a far broader active-safety and convenience kit: autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, steering correction lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and a multi-angle reverse camera. It is also 214 mm longer, has a 45 mm longer wheelbase and a 519-litre boot. The Persona counters with 150 Nm against 145 Nm, a listed five-star ASEAN NCAP rating and four USB ports up front plus two rear ports. For most buyers who can stretch, the City is the more complete daily sedan; the Persona is the budget call.
Pick the Honda City if you will use its autonomous braking, lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, reverse camera and larger 519-litre boot.
Pick the Proton Persona if RM39,700 saved matters more than the City’s safety technology, camera and extra cabin-versatility features.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Proton Persona RM45,200.
- Power and torque: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; Proton Persona 107 hp and 150 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: Honda City 4,580 mm and 2,600 mm; Proton Persona 4,366 mm and 2,555 mm.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Proton Persona 510 litres.
- Active safety: Honda City has autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist; Proton Persona has neither.
- Rear-seat flexibility: Honda City has a 60:40 split-folding rear seat; Proton Persona has a fixed backrest.
City
- Autonomous braking detects nighttime pedestrians and cyclists
- Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping steering correction and multi-angle reverse camera
- 214 mm longer body and 519-litre boot
- RM39,700 dearer
- 145 Nm is 5 Nm below the Persona’s 150 Nm
- Only one front USB socket versus the Persona’s four front and two rear USB ports
Persona
- RM45,200 price saves RM39,700
- 150 Nm torque and listed five-star ASEAN NCAP rating
- Six USB ports: four front and two rear
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or collision warning
- No reverse camera, adaptive cruise control or paddle shifts
- Fixed rear seat and no rear air-con vents
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900 | RM45,200✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,597 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp✓ | 107 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 150 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 76 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Punch |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | —✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | —✓ |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h✓ | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,366 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,722 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,554 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,555 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,175 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 510 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 185/55R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 185/55R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Fixed Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Manual Single-zone |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | LED Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | Radio/MP3 Player with 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | LCD Multi-info Display |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | 3 Times Free Labour Servicing |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used City & Persona for sale
City vs Persona FAQ
Is the Honda City or Proton Persona better?
The Honda City is the better-equipped choice, with autonomous braking, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, a reverse camera and a 519-litre boot. The Proton Persona costs RM39,700 less and has slightly more torque, so it is the stronger budget choice.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City costs RM84,900 and the Proton Persona costs RM45,200, a difference of RM39,700 before insurance.
Which has better safety equipment, the Honda City or Proton Persona?
The Honda City has the fuller safety kit: six airbags including front and rear curtain airbags, autonomous braking with nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection, collision warning and lane-keeping steering correction. The Persona has front and front-side airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control, plus a listed five-star ASEAN NCAP rating.