Verdict
At RM72,900, the Perodua Aruz is RM25,100 dearer than the RM47,800 Proton Persona, but it also plays a different role: SUV body, seven seats, rear-wheel drive and 1,705 mm height against the Persona’s sedan body, five seats, front-wheel drive and 1,554 mm. The Proton has the stronger numbers from its 1.6 litre engine, with 107 hp and 150 Nm versus 101 hp and 133 Nm. It also has a much larger 510 litre boot, while the Aruz counters with more seating and more safety kit.
Pick the Perodua Aruz if you need seven seats, rear air-con vents, a reverse camera and curtain airbags more than outright boot space or the lowest price.
Pick the Proton Persona if you want the cheaper B-segment car with more torque, a 510 litre boot and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Perodua Aruz RM72,900; Proton Persona RM47,800
- Seats: Perodua Aruz 7; Proton Persona 5
- Engine output: Perodua Aruz 101 hp/133 Nm; Proton Persona 107 hp/150 Nm
- Boot space: Perodua Aruz 213 litres; Proton Persona 510 litres
- Driveline/chassis: Perodua Aruz rear-wheel drive ladder-frame; Proton Persona front-wheel drive unibody
- Road tax: Perodua Aruz RM120/year; Proton Persona RM90/year
Aruz
- Seven seats with 60:40 middle row and 50:50 last row
- Six airbags with front and rear curtain coverage
- Rear air-con vents, reverse camera and front parking sensors
- RM25,100 more expensive
- Lower output: 101 hp and 133 Nm versus 107 hp and 150 Nm
- Smaller rated boot: 213 litres versus 510 litres
Persona
- Much cheaper at RM47,800
- Stronger 1.6 litre engine with 107 hp and 150 Nm
- Larger 510 litre boot
- Only five seats versus the Aruz’s seven
- No curtain airbags; front and front-side airbags only
- No reverse camera or front parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 72,900 | RM 47,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,597 cc |
| Horsepower | 101 hp | 107 hp✓ |
| Torque | 133 Nm | 150 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Belt |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72 mm | 76 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4 Speed Automatic | CVT |
| Gears | 4 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Punch |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 6.4 L/100 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,435 mm | 4,366 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,722 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,554 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,685 mm | 2,555 mm |
| Weight | 1,300 kg | 1,175 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 213 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 185/55R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 185/55R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 17" Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001A | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Ladder-frame | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Live Axle with Coil Springs | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Black Alloy | 15" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Black Alloy | 15" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Drum | Drum |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | 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 Middle Row with one-touch tumble, manual recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Fixed Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con (digital controls with memory function) | Manual Single-zone |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Last Row | 1 Front, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | LED Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 3 Front, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | 7.0" Touchscreen Radio DVD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and 6 speakers | Radio/MP3 Player with 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Automatic Door-Lock Past 20 km/h | LCD Multi-info Display |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 3 Times Free Labour Servicing |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120 | RM 90✓ |
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.
Aruz vs Persona FAQ
Is the Perodua Aruz or Proton Persona better?
The Aruz is better for carrying people and safety equipment, with seven seats and six airbags. The Persona is better for budget, boot space and engine output, costing RM25,100 less with 510 litres of boot space and 150 Nm.
What is the price difference?
The Perodua Aruz costs RM72,900, while the Proton Persona costs RM47,800. That makes the Aruz RM25,100 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space?
The Proton Persona has the larger rated boot at 510 litres. The Perodua Aruz is listed at 213 litres, but it gives you seven seats instead of the Persona’s five.