Proton Persona: P2-21A MC1 vs P2-21A MC2
Verdict
The Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 costs RM47,800 against RM42,600 for the Proton Persona P2-21A MC1, so the gap is RM5,200. Mechanically they are close: both use a 1,597 cc petrol engine with 107 hp and 150 Nm, front-wheel drive, a 2,555 mm wheelbase and a 510-litre boot. The MC2’s money mainly buys the CVT automatic and four airbags instead of the MC1’s manual and two airbags. Same RM90 road tax, same 5-year warranty.
Pick the Proton Persona P2-21A MC1 if you want the lower buy-in, do not mind changing gears yourself and are happy with the same engine, boot and road tax as the MC2.
Pick the Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 if you want the CVT automatic and the stronger airbag count without changing the basic Persona package.
Key differences
- Price: RM42,600 vs RM47,800
- Transmission: Manual vs CVT Automatic
- Airbags: 2 vs 4
- Length: 4,362 mm vs 4,366 mm
- Engine output: 107 hp/150 Nm vs 107 hp/150 Nm
- Boot space: 510 litres vs 510 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 42,600✓ | RM 47,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,597 cc | 1,597 cc |
| Power | 107 hp | 107 hp |
| Torque | 150 Nm | 150 Nm |
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 0.0 s | — |
| Top speed | 0 km/h | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| EV range | 0 km | — |
| CO₂ | 0 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,362 mm | 4,366 mm |
| Width | 1,722 mm | 1,722 mm |
| Height | 1,554 mm | 1,554 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,555 mm | 2,555 mm |
| Boot space | 510 L | 510 L |
| Fuel tank | 40 L | 40 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 | 4✓ |
| ASEAN NCAP | 5★ | 5★ |
| Auto emergency braking | — | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| 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.
P2-21A MC1
- RM5,200 cheaper to buy
- Same 1,597 cc engine with 107 hp and 150 Nm
- Same 510-litre boot and RM90 yearly road tax
- Only 2 airbags versus 4 in the MC2
- Manual gearbox will not suit every daily commute
- No listed auto emergency braking
P2-21A MC2
- CVT automatic suits urban use better than a manual
- 4 airbags instead of 2
- Same 510-litre boot, 40-litre tank and 5-year warranty
- Costs RM5,200 more
- No extra power or torque over the MC1
- No listed auto emergency braking
P2-21A MC1 vs P2-21A MC2 FAQ
Is the Proton Persona P2-21A MC1 or Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 better?
The MC2 is the better daily driver on paper because it adds a CVT automatic and 4 airbags. The MC1 makes sense if price matters more and you specifically want, or can live with, a manual.
What is the price difference?
The Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 is RM5,200 more expensive than the Proton Persona P2-21A MC1.
Do the Proton Persona P2-21A MC1 and Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 have the same engine?
Yes. Both use a 1,597 cc petrol engine making 107 hp and 150 Nm, driving the front wheels. The key mechanical difference is the gearbox: manual in the MC1, CVT automatic in the MC2.