Perodua Ativa D55L SUV – teaser shows more details

Slowly but surely, we’re seeing more and more of Perodua’s new D55L compact SUV, tipped to be called the Ativa and slated to be revealed in less than a week’s time, on March 3. Today, the company released a teaser video that finally gives us a (much obscured) look at the front end.

From what we can see, the car will get a deep front grille that is connected to the headlights, differing from the discrete six-point opening found on its twin, the Daihatsu Rocky. As per the Aruz, the Ativa will have twin chrome grille bars, this time mounted further up, linking the unchanged LED headlights. We also see what appears to be a silver skid plate, plus the obligatory round fog lights.

We already know that the Ativa will have a slightly different 17-inch alloy wheel design and a unique rear bumper, the latter sporting inverted L-shaped corners for the reflectors. Don’t expect a lot of changes on the inside, however, with the car set to retain a similar dashboard and items like a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen, seven-inch digital instrument cluster and red accents on higher-end models.

However, the Ativa will have different air-conditioning controls with memory, as well as stiffer suspension compared to the Rocky. All models will be powered by the Rocky’s 1KR-VET 1.0 litre turbo three-cylinder engine making 98 PS at 6,000 rpm and 140 Nm of torque from 2,400 to 4,000 rpm.

Click to enlarge

Drive will be sent to the front wheels through a new D-CVT that adds gears and a planetary gearset for high-speed driving. The transmission will feature a new sequential shift mode with seven virtual ratios, while a Power button on the steering wheel remaps the engine and gearbox for quicker response.

Safety kit will be high, with six airbags, stability control and even autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist and automatic high beam coming as standard. The range-topping AV variant will get several Perodua firsts such as adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, plus matrix LED headlights.

Prices are expected to range from RM62,500 to RM73,400 on-the-road without insurance. As such, the entry-level model will undercut the larger seven-seat Aruz by some margin, but will be more expensive at the top of the lineup. However, the car’s significant advantage in terms of equipment should provide recompense.

Now that you’ve gotten your first look at the new Ativa, what do you think of the design? Sound off in the comments after the jump. You can also read our man Danny Tan’s first impressions review here.

Our coverage of the 2021 Perodua Ativa D55L SUV

GALLERY: Daihatsu Rocky in Japan


GALLERY: Toyota Raize in Japan

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Celup King on Feb 25, 2021 at 7:32 pm

    Someone once said tease here, tease there, tease everywhere why not just launch it already. It is just a rebadge and we know what it looks like long time ago so nothing special.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 63
    • Amran on Feb 25, 2021 at 9:36 pm

      New gen selling so cheap RM62,500 only.. Previous gen Perodua Nautica owners bought new RM89,900. Pity them, but the Ativa Turbo ACC, LKAS, BSM, RCTA plus matrix LED headlights. Lagi Best!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
      • Raja Celup on Feb 26, 2021 at 1:02 pm

        Really pity also Proton cars in Arab market full specs zero tax price but still almost zero sales tak laku.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • Vader on Feb 26, 2021 at 4:00 pm

        I’ll pretend to be excited. :eek:

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Correct on Feb 25, 2021 at 10:51 pm

      As expected, the ativa front bumper would adopt aruz style bumper.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • Design perspective Jr on Feb 26, 2021 at 1:52 pm

        Nothing to praise abt this twin of the old rocky/raize. Non cohesive or missmatch between Front & Rear. 80% good on R, but lame effort on F. The design chief who settled for less, unmotivated to push for more polish design, should be resign. Pls cover this F part during live virtual launch, show the R only to the audience, what a let down after so much manhour efforts, meetings and $$Mill fund spends.
        Design is the forefront image of the brand. Add that to your USP seriously asap

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • Dcvt ulis cost cut version of cvt , dct is much much better

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
    • Bel Jin on Feb 26, 2021 at 7:30 am

      rebadge is when you take some car and use it under license to change the name. example proton x70 n x50.

      d55L is called platform sharing. because during development process all the companies were involved from the beginning.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 5
      • Raja Celup on Feb 26, 2021 at 1:04 pm

        Yes true unlike Proton Ertiga. 100% celup.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
      • Copy Paste on Feb 27, 2021 at 12:49 am

        Copy paste: ““If you’re talking about the model(Rocky) we saw just now, we didn’t have a lot of input in terms of spec or architecture. Because the platform is actually the new DNGA. I don’t know if you can see it tomorrow (we’re paying a visit to Daihatsu’s Kyushu plant), but this car will be produced at Kyushu if I’m not mistaken,” Zainal(Perodua CEO) revealed.”

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • lie detector on Feb 28, 2021 at 4:49 pm

        LOL at “all the companies”. Although some of the company bear the name “Perodua”, they’re actually a subsidiary of Daihatsu. Therefore, its a platform sharing between Daihatsus subsidiaries and probably a lil bit Toyota. rofl

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Sick & Tired on Feb 26, 2021 at 9:06 am

      Am I the only one who’s sick of announcements for announcements?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
    • Give me 5!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • autodriver (Member) on Feb 27, 2021 at 12:02 am

      I am the one always hate teaser here and there but not this round. Perodua already set the launching date which is 7 days to go only. Unlike X50 it takes freaking long time teaser and yet the outcome is quite let down. Now X50 is seriously facing huge delay of new car delivery and up to 9 months waiting period.

      And also this D55L is selling cheaper than Japan twin brothers which is EXTREMELY RARE happened in Malaysia. Japan sell new car much cheaper than Malaysia. While the rival X50 high spec is RM100k but in China it is only RM 75k for same spec. If one feel Ativa is not worthy than X50 he much be sick. No need to question the stability, the overseas reviews have proven Ativa DNGA is good in handling while the 1.0T are good enough for daily driving. I never feel pride of any single national car but salute to Perodua effort on this Ativa with DNGA, Dcvt and first Turbo engine with full safety kits priced at RM 75k. Most P2 salesman is less knowledge than me.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • English Teacher on Feb 25, 2021 at 7:44 pm

    Start the journey together. A Bright New Dawn.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 1
  • Roti john on Feb 25, 2021 at 7:45 pm

    This is the real Game Changer!!! The Perodua Ativa will no doubt become Malaysia’s No.1 car for sure. Everyone is waiting this Game-Changing SUV with bated breath

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 15
    • that’s what all the people say when the x50 came out. until now i see more new city on the road then x50 game chamging indeed

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 7
    • This is Perodua precious gift to Malaysia. Perodua decided to launch a new model despite the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, cuz Perodua try help the industry during this trying time.

      To ensure jobs will be created as vendors, the ecosystem and country need to survive. So syabass Perodua caring.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 2
    • John Geli on Feb 26, 2021 at 6:29 am

      Yes we don’t need Geely anymore (DNGA).

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
    • KUNTA KUNCI on Feb 26, 2021 at 9:11 am

      Yep..bring it on fast,fast,fast..This is going to be the affordable n brutal blockbuster launching of the year.X50 cancelations already in the hundreds…the competition is heating up.Kipidap ,long live Perodua..going for name change in Future to Pertama…Number 1.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 5
      • Maxine on Feb 26, 2021 at 12:58 pm

        Are you so sure :
        All 3 variants of Ativa are now ready?
        Why they insist to receive booking before launch, to guess or estimate the order volume?
        Firts batch owner normally receive at least 3 months period. If the req order overwhelmingly high as X50, the longer waiting game is unavoidable.
        Thats apply to all models including the myvi.
        Why jump from X50 to Ativa when the result (mfgr delay across ind) will be similar. DNRL do not regret later

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
      • High Regret Value on Feb 26, 2021 at 3:17 pm

        Lack of Insufficient Consideration.
        Hundred will regrets later tho. Imagine ride and sit in your ativa, live with it daily, after honeymoon period over, you will come to term of how inferior or mediocre the exterior & cabin quality, overall refinements and NVH than the X50. a regret value RV for items $60K is overly emotional to forget. They will be taken a back once they encounter the happier X50ers otr. Wishing to go back in time to undo their hasty decision.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • Aura89 on Feb 26, 2021 at 9:43 am

      Yap… yep. lol and nope nah.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • Not everyone, just low income group.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • Celup King on Feb 26, 2021 at 12:59 pm

      A very important question, does your game changer Ativa comes with game over Akebono brakes?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 5
  • M & B on Feb 25, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    Nice

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Jia Ren on Feb 25, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    Bring it on

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • GenY AEB on Feb 25, 2021 at 8:50 pm

    Tq Paultan crews for the links.
    Good reading

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
    • KimJong Din on Feb 26, 2021 at 9:15 am

      If P1 can’t resolve the car bumper spare parts problem for big bradder X70,forget X50…just get more affordable Ativa …

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • Izhar on Feb 25, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    Jepunis brake and fuel pump technology, proudly made in malaysia. Superior timing chain

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 11
  • Kazuma on Feb 25, 2021 at 9:40 pm

    No 4WD. Not worthy SUV
    As usual, Malaysians only get discounted specs.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 7
  • D55L is A segment on Feb 25, 2021 at 11:13 pm

    Front look like old HRV

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • P2 fan on Feb 26, 2021 at 9:40 am

    Seem like our version still no DRL… Why???

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • The DRL shares the same LED strip as the signal light. When the signal light is on, it switches off the DRL or basically just changing it’s color to yellow from white.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • ativa b on Feb 26, 2021 at 7:53 pm

      Because this is cheap car

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Silthice on Feb 26, 2021 at 10:36 am

    The grill make it look like axia…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Wow Wow on Feb 26, 2021 at 11:06 am

    Rocky come~ Rocky come~

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • tan32 on Feb 26, 2021 at 12:35 pm

    Proton must add more airbags to X50 Standard to match P2 Ativa

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Brian on Feb 27, 2021 at 10:08 am

      Proton got 5 stars from the current setup. They won’t get more stars with more airbags so it is pointless.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Dong gor on Feb 26, 2021 at 1:42 pm

    The circulated price list along with the equipments loaded into each variant has more impact than the best teaser… Why bother with a teaser… This ain’t a gentlemen’s club :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Iriz Active compete with the upcoming Perodua Ativa.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • autodriver (Member) on Feb 26, 2021 at 11:47 pm

    This Ativa gonna sell like hot cake definitely. In Hong Kong Toyota Raize (Aka Ativa in Perodua) 4WD version selling at HKD 310k (RM 160k) while in Japan Raize sold at Yen 2.1m (RM 80k). Daihatsu Rocky in Japan sell at Yen 2.2m, slight more than Toyota Raize.

    Fyi HK and Japan car price are much cheaper than Malaysia but this time Perodua Ativa is cheaper. In Japan the Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky are both very popular despite the price not cheap (RM 80k for small car in Japan is considered very expensive). Imagine Honda Fit 1.3L (Malaysia is Honda Jazz but 1.5L) is selling at Yen 2 million which is cheaper than Raize. But in Malaysia Honda Jazz 1.5L lowest spec is almost identical price like highest spec of Perodua Ativa. Bravo to Perodua done a tremendous effort to bring the price down to Malaysia. This is first time I put pride to Perodua.

    X50 high spec is RM100k while in China Geely Binyue highest spec is RM 75k (RMB 120k). Proton make much higher margin compare to Perodua.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Brian on Feb 27, 2021 at 10:09 am

      Faulty fuel pump dah tukar ke belum?
      Suspected brakepads dah tukar ke belum?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Jenjen on Feb 28, 2021 at 9:55 am

    1000cc turbo.. with 98hp… wahaha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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