Verdict
The Ativa asks RM62,500 against the Persona’s RM47,800, so the RM14,700 gap has to matter. For it, the Perodua gives SUV height, a lighter 1,020 kg body, 5.3 L/100 km rated economy, curtain airbags, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and LED lighting. The Proton answers with a bigger sedan footprint, more power and torque at 107 hp and 150 Nm, a vast 510-litre boot and a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating. This is safety tech and height versus boot space and price.
Pick the Perodua Ativa if you want the taller SUV body, lower listed fuel use and the fuller active safety package.
Pick the Proton Persona if you want the cheaper car with the larger boot, stronger engine outputs and a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating.
Key differences
- Price: Perodua Ativa RM62,500; Proton Persona RM47,800
- Engine output: Perodua Ativa 97 hp/140 Nm; Proton Persona 107 hp/150 Nm
- Boot space: Perodua Ativa 369 litres; Proton Persona 510 litres
- Size: Perodua Ativa 4,065 mm long/1,635 mm tall; Proton Persona 4,366 mm long/1,554 mm tall
- Weight: Perodua Ativa 1,020 kg; Proton Persona 1,175 kg
- Safety kit: Perodua Ativa gets autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist; Proton Persona gets no autonomous braking and no lane-keeping assist
Ativa
- SUV seating position and taller 1,635 mm body
- 5.3 L/100 km rated fuel economy
- Curtain airbags, autonomous braking, pedestrian detection and lane-keeping assist
- Costs RM14,700 more
- Smaller 369-litre boot
- Lower outputs at 97 hp and 140 Nm
Persona
- Much cheaper to buy
- Larger 510-litre boot
- Higher outputs at 107 hp and 150 Nm
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist
- Only front and side airbags; no curtain airbags listed
- Fixed rear backrest versus the Ativa’s 60:40 split-folding rear seats
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 62,500 | RM 47,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged and Intercooled with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 996 cc | 1,597 cc |
| Horsepower | 97 hp | 107 hp✓ |
| Torque | 140 Nm | 150 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Belt |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 71 mm | 76 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | D-CVT | CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Akashi Kikai | Punch |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.3 L/100 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,065 mm | 4,366 mm |
| Width | 1,710 mm | 1,722 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,554 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,525 mm | 2,555 mm |
| Weight | 1,020 kg | 1,175 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 369 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/60R16 | 185/55R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/60R16 | 185/55R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 16" Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 15" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 15" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Drum | Drum |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion | 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 | — | ✓ |
| 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 Pedestrian Detection | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors with Automatic High Beam | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Fixed Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con (Digital Controls with Memory Function) | Manual Single-zone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | LED Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Four Speakers | Radio/MP3 Player with 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up/Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| 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 | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 3 Times Free Labour Servicing |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 20✓ | 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.
Ativa vs Persona FAQ
Is the Perodua Ativa or Proton Persona better?
The Ativa is better for safety tech and SUV height. The Persona is better for price, boot space and engine output. For most family buyers carrying luggage often, the Persona’s 510-litre boot is hard to ignore.
What is the price difference?
The Perodua Ativa costs RM14,700 more than the Proton Persona. That extra spend mainly buys SUV packaging, LED lighting and active safety kit such as autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Proton Persona has the bigger boot by a large margin: 510 litres versus 369 litres in the Perodua Ativa. The Ativa counters with a 60:40 split-folding rear seat, while the Persona has a fixed rear backrest.