Review: Proton Persona Elegance 1.6

The Proton Persona was introduced in Malaysia in 2007 as a successor to the popular Proton Wira (which was a rebadged 1st generation Mitsubishi Lancer). The Persona was based on the Proton Gen-2. Compared to the Gen-2, the Persona featured a sedan body style (the Gen-2 is an aeroback), a slightly rounder roof to provide better headroom for the rear passengers, new interior door panels, new seats, and an improved dashboard with a glove box (something the Gen-2 doesn't have). Proton introduced a face-lift to the Persona in 2010 marketed as the "Persona Elegance". 

The Persona Elegance was available in a sole 1.6 Litre CamPro S4PH engine with either a 4 speed automatic or 5 speed manual transmission. Available in 4 variants - the Base Line (auto and manual options), the Medium Line (auto and manual options), the SV (auto and manual options) and the High Line (auto only). The Base Line comes with 15 inch steel rims, fabric seats, auto door locks, reverse sensors, powered windows, a radio with CD, AM/FM, USB and Aux compatibilities, and ventilated disc brakes up front with rear drum brakes. The Medium Line adds 15 inch alloy rims, body kit with a lip spoiler, front fog lamps, electric side mirrors, height adjustments for the driver seat, drivers side airbag, and a luggage tray in the trunk. The High Line adds leather upholstery, front passenger airbag, ABS with EBD, cruise control, and remote trunk release. The SV was released in 2013, with SV standing for "Super Value". The SV was based on the base line, but added 15 inch alloy rims, dual front airbags, and ABS with EBD. The Persona Elegance was priced between RM 46k - RM 59k at launch, but today you can find a well maintained one on the used car market for around RM 10k - RM 20k.

For starters the Persona Elegance is a car to consider if you are a fresh graduate, just got your driving license or looking for a practical cheap car to get you from point A to point B and give you a little fun when you want it. Today we are reviewing the Proton Persona Elegance 1.6 in the Base Line variant.

Starting with its looks the Persona Elegance definitely looks good. Its smooth fluidic body sculpture makes it look aerodynamic and prestigious. Its low to ground stance makes it look more aggressive, and the perfectly sized windows look well proportioned, while providing a good amount of visibility. The front of the car now features a larger grill compared to the preface-lift model, which makes the car look more conventional and classy. The headlights are now finished with matte gray inserts which look sporty and more upmarket. Along the side there is a curve which stretches the whole length of the car below the window line that gives the Persona Elegance a more prominent road presence, and ever so slightly muscular look. At the back its simple and elegant. The LED combination tail lights provide better visibility to other road users, and the boot lid features an integrated spoiler look to it. On the unit we tested, the owner replaced the steel wheels with a set of 15 inch aftermarket alloys.

Although the Persona Elegance is basic on the equipment list, it really excels in the driving department. The handling and throttle response is very impressive and sharp. Steering is direct, the feed back is very prominent, and you can really feel the car and the road well when driving. Don't let the small 1.6 liter engine fool you though, even with such a small displacement naturally aspirated engine, the pickup of the Persona Elegance is quick and when combined with the brilliant steering it really makes the Persona Elegance a fun to drive, quick, and peppy car. The suspension department is well balanced with little body roll, yet a comfy ride without being too stiff nor too soft.

Space and comfort is not the Persona Elegance strong point and in fact it does it pretty poorly. The seats are stiff and uncomfortable all round, and the rear passengers have it worse. Knee room is terrible at the rear quarters and whats worse, is in order to make it feel more "spacious", Proton made the rear bench very short making it really painful and discomforting for longer drives. We feel that if the seats had better and thicker padding, as well as a longer rear bench, it would make the car far better. The trunk in contrary is massive, spanning a stunning 430 liters, which should be more than enough. If you need more space, you would want to opt for the medium or high line, as models only from the medium line and up get folding rear seats.

Build quality is acceptable for a car in this price range. Of course, there are no soft touch plastics anywhere to be found. Hard plastics everywhere, but then again, at this price range there is really not much to complain about. The simple Blaupunkt head unit is easy to use and connected to 4 speakers. If sound system if important to you, be prepared to spend on upgrading the sound system as to be honest, the sound system is terrible.

So is the Persona Elegance the right car for you? If you need a car that is fun to drive, cheap, practical, and to just get the job done then yes. However you are looking for something comfortable, something of good build quality and finish, then probably not. As much as we like the Persona Elegance, its a bit difficult to justify spending around RM10k - RM20k for this, especially when there are far superior options that cost just a tad of a bit more such as the Volkswagen Polo Sedan (which costs from RM16k onwards used) and the Nissan Sylphy (which costs from RM18k onwards). Let us know what you think of the Persona Elegance down in the comments section below.