Proton Persona: P2-21A vs P2-21A MC2
Verdict
The MC2 is the easier daily choice if you want an automatic Persona: it uses a CVT and raises airbag count from 2 to 4. The outgoing P2-21A fights back hard on price, at RM42,318 against RM47,800, a RM5,482 saving, while keeping the same 1,597 cc petrol engine, 107 hp, 150 Nm, 510-litre boot, 40-litre tank, 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating, 5-year warranty and RM90 road tax. On paper you’re mainly choosing gearbox, airbags and budget, not extra performance.
Pick the Proton Persona P2-21A if you want the cheaper manual car and can live with 2 airbags instead of 4.
Pick the Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 if you want the CVT automatic and the added safety cushion of 4 airbags.
Key differences
- Price: Proton Persona P2-21A RM42,318 vs Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 RM47,800
- Transmission: Proton Persona P2-21A manual vs Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 CVT automatic
- Airbags: Proton Persona P2-21A 2 vs Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 4
- Length: Proton Persona P2-21A 4,387 mm vs Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 4,366 mm
P2-21A
- RM5,482 cheaper to buy
- Manual gearbox with quoted 10.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Same 107 hp, 150 Nm and 510-litre boot as the MC2
- Only 2 airbags versus 4 in the MC2
- Manual gearbox will not suit every daily commute
- Longer body, but no extra wheelbase or boot space
P2-21A MC2
- CVT automatic for easier urban driving
- 4 airbags instead of 2
- Same 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating, 5-year warranty and RM90 road tax
- Costs RM5,482 more
- No extra engine output: still 107 hp and 150 Nm
- No quoted 0-100 km/h or fuel economy figure to match the manual’s numbers
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 42,318✓ | 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 | 10.9 s | — |
| Top speed | 0 km/h | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 5.6 L/100km | — |
| EV range | 0 km | — |
| CO₂ | 0 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,387 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 vs P2-21A MC2 FAQ
Is the Proton Persona P2-21A or Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 better?
The Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 is better for most buyers because it has a CVT automatic and 4 airbags. The Proton Persona P2-21A makes sense if price matters more and you specifically want a manual.
What is the price difference?
The Proton Persona P2-21A costs RM42,318, while the Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 costs RM47,800. The MC2 is RM5,482 more expensive.
Do they use the same engine and have the same boot space?
Yes. Both use a 1,597 cc petrol engine with 107 hp and 150 Nm, and both have a 510-litre boot, 40-litre fuel tank and front-wheel drive.