The Proton Persona is a B-segment four-door sedan produced by Malaysian national carmaker Proton. First introduced in 2007, the Persona has served as a crucial strategic sedan in Proton's lineup. Initially launched as a C-segment sedan, the Persona was repositioned into the B-segment in its subsequent full model change. The current-generation Persona debuted in 2016 and received two facelifts in 2019 and 2021. As of 2019, cumulative global sales of the Persona range had reached 322,000 units. In December 2025, Proton confirmed that the Persona will be officially phased out in 2026, concluding a product lifecycle spanning nearly two decades.
The current Persona adopts Proton's signature family design language. The front fascia features a radiator grille inspired by the traditional Malay bow, complemented by Proton's signature "Infinite Weave" patterned grille. The conventional fog lamps on both sides of the front bumper were omitted in favour of slim horizontal LED daytime running lights. At the rear, the Proton tiger emblem on the boot lid has been replaced by a sleek garnish strip bearing the "PROTON" script connecting both tail lamps. The rear bumper was completely redesigned, and a shark fin antenna was added to the roof. Available exterior colours include Brown, Black, Dark Grey, Silver, Red, and Space Grey. With the 2016 generation change, boot space was expanded from 430 litres in the previous generation to a commodious 510 litres.
Inside, the current Persona features a two-tone colour scheme with faux stitching on the dashboard, delivering a significantly more refined cabin ambience than early iterations. The facelifted version gained a new touchscreen infotainment head unit running the GKUI operating system. The instrument cluster was redesigned alongside a revised gear selector. The leatherette upholstery also received a fresh pattern design.
Under the bonnet, the current Persona range is powered exclusively by a 1.6-litre Campro VVT naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine. This 16-valve DOHC mill produces a maximum power output of 107 to 110 hp (@5,750-6,000 rpm) and peak torque of 148 to 150 Nm (@4,000 rpm). For the drivetrain, aside from the base Standard variant which offered a 5-speed manual transmission, all other variants are paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The CVT variant completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds. In terms of fuel economy, the manual variant is rated at 5.6 L/100 km, while the CVT version achieves 6.1 L/100 km at a steady 90 km/h cruise. The combined fuel consumption for the 2025 model sits at around 6.5 L/100 km.
The Persona is built on a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout. Its chassis setup was honed with input from Proton's Lotus Engineering division, giving it a reputation for agile, confidence-inspiring handling. While the current model leans more towards ride comfort, its suspension remains noticeably firmer and more engaging than same-class Japanese rivals, offering driving dynamics closer to European/French cars. Braking is handled by disc brakes all around. The steering system has also been recalibrated to deliver sharper, more communicative road feedback.
Equipment levels vary across the lineup. The facelifted Persona is offered in four trim levels: 1.6 Standard MT, 1.6 Standard CVT, 1.6 Executive, and 1.6 Premium. Higher variants receive an 8-inch floating touchscreen head unit powered by the GKUI system. Six USB charging ports come as standard across all variants. Higher trims add amenities such as a reverse camera and an N95 cabin air filtration system. Starting from the Executive variant, the rear seats feature a 60:40 split-folding mechanism to boost cargo versatility.
On the safety front, the Persona comes equipped with dual front SRS airbags. Active safety kit standard across the board includes Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Furthermore, the sedan is equipped with Traction Control System (TCS), impact sensors, front and rear anti-collision beams, and reverse parking sensors.
The Proton Persona's primary competitive advantage in the Malaysian market has always been its strong value proposition. The 2026 model lineup comprises three variants, priced between RM47,800 and RM58,300. In November 2025, the Persona registered monthly sales of 1,050 units, taking its year-to-date total to 14,214 units. In April 2025, 1,328 units were delivered; in August, combined sales for the Persona and Iriz reached 1,379 units. In May 2025, the Persona took second place in the B-segment sedan sales charts.
Nevertheless, the Persona is clearly approaching the end of its lifecycle. Having debuted in 2016, the current generation is nearing a decade in service, with only a facelift in 2019 and a final refresh in 2021. Proton has confirmed that the new i-GT engine family will fully supersede the Campro VVT powertrains by 2026, meaning the Persona's 1.6L VVT powerplant will officially bow out. Once the Persona is discontinued, a price gap of roughly RM25,000 will open up between the A-segment Saga and the B/C-segment S70. Industry rumours suggest that Proton may introduce an entry-level "affordable S70" powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine to fill this vacuum. Having served Malaysian motorists for nearly two decades, the Persona leaves a lasting legacy in Proton's history, celebrated for its solid ride and handling DNA, practical cabin, and accessible pricing.
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