Verdict
The RM2,034 step from the Proton Persona Mk1 Facelift to the Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 buys a CVT, four airbags, stability control and a five-year/150,000 km warranty instead of two years/50,000 km. That is the stronger case for a Malaysian daily driver, despite the newer car giving away 3 hp and 10 litres of fuel capacity. The Mk1 remains the more appealing used pick for drivers who want a five-speed manual, 110 hp and multi-link rear suspension, but its two airbags and absent stability control are hard limits beside the P2-21A MC2.
Pick the Proton Persona Mk1 Facelift if you want the five-speed manual, 110 hp output and multi-link rear suspension.
Pick the Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 if you prioritise CVT convenience, four airbags, stability control and the much longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: RM43,166 for the Mk1 Facelift versus RM45,200 for the P2-21A MC2.
- Output and transmission: 110 hp/148 Nm with a five-speed manual versus 107 hp/150 Nm with a CVT automatic.
- Safety: two airbags and no stability control versus four airbags with stability control.
- Boot and fuel tank: 430 litres and 50 litres versus 510 litres and 40 litres.
- Rear suspension: multi-link versus torsion beam.
- Manufacturer warranty: two years/50,000 km versus five years/150,000 km.
Mk1 Facelift
- Five-speed manual with 110 hp at 6,500 rpm.
- Multi-link rear suspension.
- 50-litre fuel tank and 190 km/h claimed top speed.
- Only two airbags, versus four in the P2-21A MC2.
- No stability control, ISOFIX or hill start assist.
- 430-litre boot and two-year/50,000 km warranty trail the newer car.
P2-21A MC2
- Four airbags, stability control and five-star ASEAN NCAP rating.
- CVT automatic, hill start assist and Bluetooth.
- 510-litre boot plus five-year/150,000 km warranty.
- 107 hp is 3 hp down on the Mk1 Facelift.
- 40-litre fuel tank is 10 litres smaller.
- Torsion-beam rear suspension replaces the Mk1 Facelift's multi-link layout.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM43,166✓ | RM45,200 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,597 cc | 1,597 cc |
| Horsepower | 110 hp at 6,500 rpm✓ | 107 hp at 5,750 rpm |
| Torque | 148 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 76 mm × 88 mm | 76 mm × 88 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5MT | CVT |
| Gears | 5 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Punch |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 11.5 seconds | —✓ |
| Rated Economy | 6.6 L/100 km | —✓ |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h✓ | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,477 mm | 4,366 mm |
| Width | 1,725 mm | 1,722 mm |
| Height | 1,438 mm | 1,554 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,555 mm |
| Weight | 1,170 kg | 1,175 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 430 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 195/60R15 | 185/55R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/60R15 | 185/55R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point, 1 Lap-belt | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | — | Fixed Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Single-zone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 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 CD/MP3 Player | Radio/MP3 Player with 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Down only | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Manual Key |
| Locks | Remote control activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | LCD Multi-info Display |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 50,000 km | 150,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | Power Window Lifetime Warranty. Free labour for 1,000 km, 10,000 km and 20,000 km intervals | 3 Times Free Labour Servicing |
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.
Used cars for sale
Mk1 Facelift vs P2-21A MC2 FAQ
Is the Proton Persona Mk1 Facelift or Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 better?
The Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 is the better all-round choice for most buyers: it has a CVT, four airbags, stability control, ISOFIX and a five-year/150,000 km warranty. Choose the Mk1 Facelift only if its manual gearbox and multi-link rear suspension matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 costs RM2,034 more than the Proton Persona Mk1 Facelift: RM45,200 against RM43,166.
Which Persona has the bigger boot?
The Proton Persona P2-21A MC2 has the larger boot at 510 litres, 80 litres more than the Proton Persona Mk1 Facelift's 430 litres. The Mk1 Facelift counters with a larger 50-litre tank versus 40 litres.
