Earlier today, Perodua officially opened the order books for its much-anticipated D55L SUV, which will be offered in three variants – X, H and AV – with estimated prices of between RM62,500 and RM73,400.
UPDATE: We’ve driven the new Perodua Ativa! Read our first impressions review here.
The announcement did include some key features of the Daihatsu Rocky-based model, but other details like official specifications and the D55L’s actual name (some say it’s the Ativa) weren’t provided. Nonetheless, the preliminary information we received is certainly promising, but we’ll only get the full picture (literally) when the compact SUV is launched, which is said to happen next month.
Of course, it is inevitable that some people will want to compare the D55L to the Proton X50, so we’re doing just that in this post, but first, some disclaimers are in order. Firstly, the D55L specs in our table are based on what Perodua has confirmed and the Rocky it is associated with, while the X50 data is taken directly from the company’s spec sheet. Just for the sake of it, we also threw in the larger, seven-seat Aruz, which is Perodua’s only other SUV on offer.
The second and more important thing to note is this isn’t an apples-to-apples, oranges-to-oranges, durians-to-durians comparison, but naturally there is a lot of public interest in comparing the two, so here we are.
The D55L is more like a really small B-segment model – it’s actually closer to being an A-segment and the Rocky is regarded as such in Japan, while the X50 is a properly-sized B-segment SUV. This is immediately obvious when you refer to the dimensions, with the D55L being 335 mm shorter, 105 mm narrower and has a 75 mm shorter wheelbase when compared to the X50. The Aruz is naturally larger than the other two.
When it comes to powertrains, Perodua merely said that the D55L will be a turbocharged model and that it will be downsized engine paired with a CVT. Both are firsts for the company, and the powerplant being referred to is likely the 1KR-VET 1.0 litre (996 cc) turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 98 PS at 6,000 rpm and 140 Nm of torque from 2,400 to 4,000 rpm.
This is the same engine used for the Rocky and Thor small MPV, the latter was something that Perodua tested out in Malaysia prior to the D55L confirmation. The company proudly claims a fuel consumption of 18.9 km/l for the D55L, which is better than what the X50 and Aruz offer.
However, the X50 has the upper hand in terms of output, as its higher-capacity 1.5 litre turbo three-cylinder pushes out 148 hp and 226 Nm with port fuel injection, or 175 hp and 255 Nm with direct fuel injection. If you need the bigger numbers, your only option is the range-topping X50 Flagship, as the DI unit is standard with this variant.
The D55L’s list of safety kit is one of its biggest highlights, with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and assist and pedal misapplication control being standard across its entire variant range. By comparison, only the top-spec X50 Flagship gets these items, with the exception of pedal misapplication control.
Moving on, the D55L’s H and AV variants also get automatic high beam control, but again, this is reserved for the X50 Flagship. A digital instrument cluster is also making its first appearance in a Perodua, with the feature being standard on the D55L’s top two variants, which is the same case for the X50 (Premium and Flagship).
Now, the big one: pricing. Estimated pricing for the D55L is between RM62,500 and RM73,400, which places it well beyond the Myvi that tops out at RM52,697, and into Aruz territory. Yes, the latter is larger and provides seating for up to seven people, but it just lacks the safety suite that the D55L comes with, regardless of which variants you pull up for comparison.
As for the X50, prices start at RM79,200, which is almost RM6,000 more than the D55L in its highest AV spec. The starting sum for the X50 nets you the Standard variant, which beats the D55L in terms body size as well as engine capacity and performance. You won’t get any active safety systems with the base X50, but that’s not the case with the D55L.
Should you want the X50 with such systems and then some (the Proton SUV in this form gets more power and even park assist), you’ll have to spring for the Flagship variant that costs RM103,300, which is quite a premium over the most expensive variant of the D55L.
Again, these are very different SUVs but we know that drawing comparisons is inescapable. With these details, what do you think of your options, and more importantly, which one deserves your hard-earned money more? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Everybody love Perodua Ativa, New and cheaper. Lagi Best!
But Jepunis fanbois were shouting 3cyl turbo engine is bad for use, vibrating, slow, noisy, unreliable, etc. They also whack CVT and prefers their 4AT but D55 now coming with CVT too! Looks like Jepunis fanbois all have to lick back their spit yo!
Just comparing power to weight ratio seems no problem, later throw in rechip :) :) :)
And safety. Should give other variant with four cylinders mated with 4AT. Turbo is always associated with overheated engine, high price and difficult to maintain and possibly fire due to improper service or modification by local experts. Once aging usually beyond repair. Rich people will buy new car. Poor people buy old turbo cars but no budget to maintain n repair.
Aruz (and Avanza & Rush) is the ONLY ONE with Rear Wheel Drive, hence the BEST IN THE BUSINESS ! Btw Author, need to fix the mistake on specs comparison table (Aruz is RWD). Thanks
If you watch Perodua Rocky SUV on youtube. The car is ekceli very spacious, quiet, save fuel and quick. Good RV too
Spec wise I see more NA for both cars compared to X50, the benchmark king. Bring on the challengers.
Turbo engine in d55l only have normal output of 1.5l engine. But x50 1.5l 3 cyl turbo engine ady exceed 1.8 N/A engine (one segment above) and that’s for B segment. Go figure.
U know why got more N/A for perodua. Bcz if perodua give all in their car. Then proton bankcrupt looo. So perodua kesian shj. Now itself proton can even touch perodua myvu sales in any of their models. So thats y perodua kesian them….
So your logic is Perodua shortchanging us buyers due to ‘kesian with Proton’? So why not we all buy Protons, and then when Perodua is in deep trouble they can stop ‘kesian with Proton’ and offer us better features? Wait, isn’t that what Proton had been doing all these while, ‘kesian with Perodua’ while shortchanging us?
The only car here that is not underpowered is actually the Proton. Why Perodua cars all super slow one. Turbocharged also but still very lousy performance. Haish
Beli la myvi king
Myvi king acah acah fast. Tak nak!
Myvi are king of going into longkang
Any car also can masuk long Kang if the driver is an idiot.
They should have put in a 1.2L turbo engine, then grab the market all the way! Sf.
Hebat National Car
JDM & China rebadged
Syukur
Level2 autonomous, AEB
Turbo Almera 1.0L
4005mm Length 1760mm Width 1560mm Height X30 with 1.0L turbo 134hp and 205Nm coming soon.
Yup batter hold your money for x30 power pun power
Buat meniaga pasar malam mantap ni. Jual air ke, apam ke
It is myvi on steroid.
Tougher, larger, bigger
Sound like tongkat ali rather than steroid
Kesian Perodua need tongkat ali to rise. Proton is all naturel rock solid molid
Lagi best. If all goes well it maybe the next Myvi now when everyone wants to own a SUV.
So is the new perodua confirmed to have a CVT? quite surprised they didn’t use the 4AT, but good for them. 4AT is too ancient
Yes true, for low powered car cvt should be right choice or even 6at
Perodua Japanese technology
– jimat petrol
– low maintenance and servicing
– ready stock spare parts, no need to wait 1 year
– no need to waste annual leaves/mc cuti sakit for car repair
– no need lose sleeps or mentally stressed because car warranty by itself proven quality reliability
– high resale value (RV)
– low regret value (also RV)
Boring. if you ever drive Proton X50 tebo… that superb ride and handling, instant power, premium carfeel.. just put that smile on your face. and then you’d think, Life’s good man’
But the price difference…
Still cannot get that with similar jepunis cars even if the price is not much different
time for proton to step up their game. don limit safety to top spec only.
Nice
And safety. Should give four cylinders variant mated with 4at. Turbo is always associated with higher cost of maintenance, higher temperature and shorter End Of Live. Once aging rich people buy new cars. Poor people buy old turbo cars cheap buy cannot repair n maintain.
If perodua produce a sedan with these specs and sell under rm60k, other brands game over dy.
Yes, D55L & X50 is SUV, but Aruz? I reckon is more towards MPV than SUV or maybe an hybrid of both… Jgn kecam saya!!
lol optic only ADAS to equivalent optic/radar sensor ADAS and call it equal. PT as a car blog cannot differentiate?