Test driven it on 3-4km stretch, quite long compared to others but short for giving a thorough impression. Just my tots:
1. Engine perf: throttle response is ok. Car a bit slow during take off, but surprisingly brisk after that. In a rather leisurely sprint, 20 to 50kmh is achieved with super ease. CVT is smoother & lot more responsive than iriz.
2. NVH: Unless u put your meticulous aural attention to it, engine noise is barely audible at 50-80kmh. At slower city speeds, the engine rumble is bit heard but acceptable. The usual campro "boom" sound is suppressed, and it feels pleasant. Didnt got the chance to drive at highway speeds tho. Old persona sounded terrible at 70dB at speed limit, and i hope this new one score less than 63dB (jepunis B segment standards). For window/door sound insulation (motorcycle noise passing by), it still not as good as preve/suprima which are actually a segment higher. But in terms of engine noise & cvt whine supression, this persona wins over preve & suprima.

3. Steering: EPS makes it easier to drive in the city. Feels light but its responsive on fast corners. But sometimes miss the super pinpoint accuracy & lightning fast feedback of the old persona hydraulic steering.

4. Handling: Body roll is minimal & car is in good control when making sudden fast lane change. Typical of Proton's lotus handling legacy.

5. Interior quality: Plastics parts are all good EXCEPT for the aircon knobs. It rattles & wobbles when twisted, feels not smooth & lacks tactility (same with Iriz). The older Persona feels a lot better in this area. Azlan Othman (chief designer), please take note. Try to twist aircon knob from a mazda2 & u will know what it meant to be tactile.

Overall, i think its miles ahead from the previous gen2 based persona. The greatest improvements made are NVH & acceleration. A pleasant drive for average drivers like me. (Owned almera & old persona). But i do wish for a better comfort tuned suspension like jepunis, dont mind sacrificing the handling a bit.

This post has been edited by normal_user: Aug 31 2016, 09:11 AM