2019 Proton Persona: First impression

Yes, Proton makes some excellent cars. We’ve been hearing about its value for money products for years now. And we totally agree. However, ever since the Proton X70 has been launched, the company is acting a bit aggressive, don’t you think? Perhaps, it has started taking things more seriously now. Not that it was playing around before, it’s just that we’re now getting new or updated models much frequently than ever before, which is definitely a good thing.

The latest car that made us ponder over the aforementioned fact is the Proton Persona facelift. It isn’t launched yet, but Proton did arrange a preview of the car which gave all the details that you would be interested in. Proton says that it has made 303 changes in the new Persona. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t be able to discuss all of them here but what we can do is give you our first impression of the new Persona.

Exterior

This is where major changes have been made. You wouldn’t have any problem with recognising the new car in the crowd. Carrying forward the new design language that we first saw in Proton’s first-ever SUV, the X70, the 2019 Persona gets a large full-width chrome grille which Proton likes to call as “Ethereal Bow” design. We also get the “Infinite Weave” grille pattern to give the car an updated look. The headlamps remain the same, but there are new LED daytime running lights located down on the bumper.

Thanks to the new 15-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels the side profile of the new Persona is improved a bit. But we think that the overall proportions should have been addressed more diligently. Moving to the rear end of the car, there is a pronounced tailgate-mounted spoiler that looks very cool. Just like the front chrome grille, there is a full-width chrome strip pasted on the rear bumper. We also have a new diffuser design. Overall, the 2019 Persona looks updated and much elegant than before.

Interior

The interior of the new Proton Persona has been changed as well. If you look closely, you will notice that most of the new features in the 2019 Persona specs sheet are similar to that of the latest Proton Iriz. Thanks to the use of a dual tone interior theme, the cabin space appear larger than it actually is. This theme also makes things more elegant.

Proton has also included a new gear knob, frameless rear-view mirror, updated cleaner instrument cluster with a larger color multi-info display. It also has an inbuilt eSIM system. There is this new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that we are already familiar with, thanks to the X70. The new infotainment system is a variant of the Geely Smart Ecosystem (GKUI), which was developed with the collaboration of the ECARX. It supports the new ‘Hi Proton’ voice control function which allows you to use certain predetermined actions. It might not be as advanced or accurate as Ford’s latest SYNC, but it would be useful.

Engine

The new Proton Persona will be powered by the same old engine; a 1.6-liter VVT mill which produces 107 hp and 150 Nm of torque. The transmission options include a 5-speed manual or CVT. Even though the engine is the same, Proton claims that it has tweaked it to make it more refined, responsive, and fuel efficient.

Another important thing about the new Persona is that Proton claims on an average the maintenance cost of the new car will be 32% lower than other sedans in this segment. Also, Proton’s advanced 3S and 4S service centers will make maintaining the Persona a bit easier. Currently, the company has 75 centers and claims that the number would only increase in the future.

Yes, the new Persona facelift is a major improvement over the predecessor, but we think it could have been made even better. Anyway, we’re glad that at least Proton is taking steps in redesigning its product catalog for the domestic market. As far as the 2019 Proton Persona price and the launch date is concerned, there is no official information. But it is being said that Proton will launch both the new Iriz and Persona together before the end of March.