Verdict
At RM53,300 versus RM58,300, this is a RM5,000 decision with almost no mechanical angle. Both Persona variants use the same 1,597 cc petrol engine, 107 hp and 150 Nm, a CVT automatic and front-wheel drive, with the same 510-litre boot, RM90 annual road tax and five-year warranty. The Premium’s clear spec win is safety kit: six airbags instead of four, while both keep a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating and neither gets auto emergency braking. On paper, you are paying mainly for the extra airbags.
Pick the Proton Persona 1.6 Executive CVT if you want the same engine, CVT, boot space and running-cost basics for RM5,000 less.
Pick the Proton Persona 1.6 Premium CVT if the move from 4 airbags to 6 airbags matters enough to justify the extra money.
Key differences
- Price: RM53,300 vs RM58,300
- Airbags: 4 vs 6
- Engine output: 107 hp/150 Nm vs 107 hp/150 Nm
- Boot space: 510 L vs 510 L
- Auto emergency braking: not fitted vs not fitted
- Road tax: RM90/year vs RM90/year
1.6 Executive CVT
- RM5,000 cheaper to buy
- Same 107 hp and 150 Nm as the Premium
- Same 510-litre boot
- Only 4 airbags versus 6
- No auto emergency braking
- No powertrain advantage over the Premium
1.6 Premium CVT
- Gets 6 airbags
- Same 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating
- Same RM90 annual road tax
- Costs RM5,000 more
- No extra power or torque
- No auto emergency braking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 53,300✓ | RM 58,300 |
| Body type | Sedan | 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 | 1,597 cc | 1,597 cc |
| Horsepower | 107 hp | 107 hp |
| Torque | 150 Nm | 150 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Belt | Belt |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 76 mm | 76 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Punch | Punch |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,366 mm | 4,366 mm |
| Width | 1,722 mm | 1,722 mm |
| Height | 1,564 mm | 1,564 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,555 mm | 2,555 mm |
| Weight | 1,195 kg | 1,210 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 510 litres | 510 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/55R16 | 185/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/55R16 | 185/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Atlas AS380 | 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" Y-spoke Alloy | 16" 2-tone Y-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Y-spoke Alloy | 16" 2-tone Y-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 | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Single-zone | Manual Single-zone with Voice Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | LED Map Lights | LED Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 1 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 8" Infotainment Touchscreen with 4 Speakers | 8" ATLAS Infotainment Touchscreen with eSIM, Voice Control, WiFi Hotspot and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch and Voice Control |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | TFT LCD Colour Multi-info Display | TFT LCD Colour 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 | 3 Times Free Labour Servicing, 5-year Free Data Package at 1 GB per Month |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90 | 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.
1.6 Executive CVT vs 1.6 Premium CVT FAQ
Is the Proton Persona 1.6 Executive CVT or Proton Persona 1.6 Premium CVT better?
The Proton Persona 1.6 Premium CVT is better on safety equipment because it gets 6 airbags instead of 4. Mechanically, they are the same, so the Executive is the value pick if the extra airbags are not decisive for you.
What is the price difference?
The Proton Persona 1.6 Premium CVT costs RM5,000 more than the Proton Persona 1.6 Executive CVT.
Do they use different engines or gearboxes?
No. Both use a 1,597 cc petrol engine with 107 hp and 150 Nm, paired with a CVT automatic driving the front wheels.