It’s another case of new meets old, as we bring Perodua’s latest SUV, the Ativa, to greet the company’s first-ever SUV, the Kembara. Both models caused quite a stir when they were launched, so we thought it’d be nice to place them side by side so you can get your daily dose of nostalgia.
By now, everyone has probably heard of the Ativa, which is Perodua’s latest compact SUV and the first to get a turbocharged engine, a D-CVT and a host of advanced safety and driver assistance systems.
These features are certainly disruptive to the “A-segment to small B-segment SUV” market, and the company is expecting the Ativa to be a popular choice among car buyers. Based on the number of bookings recorded so far, it seems that the plan is coming along nicely.
However, things were different for the Kembara. First launched in August 1998, it was Perodua’s first foray into the SUV segment, which wasn’t as booming as it is today. It was uncharted territory, and with the financial crisis and a minor 4×4 segment, it was always uncertain that the model would be well received. As a fun fact, the Kembara is the first to get the company’s new logo at the time, instead of the animal logos that were used for the company’s first two models, the Kancil and Rusa.
Based on the Daihatsu Terios, the unibody SUV started out with a 1.3 litre SOHC four-cylinder petrol engine that made 83 hp and 105 Nm of torque, but this would later be replaced with a more modern DVVT (Dynamic Valve Variable Timing) unit in 2003, with 86 hp and 120 Nm.
Available with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, the Kembara’s party trick was its full-time four-wheel drive system, which was quite a big deal, as most 4×4 cars back then had ladder frames. The system came with a switch-operated centre locking differential, making it viable for off-roading.
These niche features and a unique bodystyle proved to be a receipe for success, as sales of the Kembara steadily crept upwards, helping to reinvigorate the 4×4 segment significantly. The company even took the rugged-looking SUV on the Trans Borneo Kembara Expedition in 1998 to prove its credentials.
The Kembara made itself right for its time, but with new technologies, trends and customer demands, it couldn’t go on forever, with production ending in 2007. It’s successor, the Nautica, didn’t replicate the Kembara’s success, despite being larger, more powerful and still specified with 4WD.
Being a CBU car, it was nearly double the price of its predecessor, and was in fact, the costliest model Perodua sold then at RM89,000. This was bad news in the year it was launched – 2008 – when another financial crisis occurred, and the model faded away after slightly less than a year of being on sale.
Like the company’s first two SUVs, the Ativa was also born into a world in crisis – a health-related one this time – but Perodua believes it’s the right car for the moment, especially when compact SUVs are all the rage. With that in mind, let’s take a not so serious look at both and see how the new kid on the block stacks up against its much older sibling.
In terms of size, it’s obvious that the Ativa is the larger car, measuring 4,065 mm long, 1,710 mm wide, 1,635 mm tall and with a wheelbase that spans 2,525 mm. By comparison, the Kembara is 3,890 mm long, 1,555 mm wide, 1,715 mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 2,420 mm. The high-riding and subdued look of the latter is also a big contrast to the edgier design of the latest Perodua SUV (just look at the wheel size difference).
Given the larger dimensions, the Ativa has a lot more interior space, but it isn’t that much heavier thanks to its more advanced DNGA platform, weighing in at a maximum of 1,035 kg compared to the Kembara that is around 1.1 tonnes. This is despite the modern SUV having to carry a lot more safety and comfort features compared to the older one.
The Ativa also benefits from downsized engine development over the years, with its smaller 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit rated higher at 97 hp and 140 Nm. Thanks to a D-CVT and a lack of a four-wheel drive system, it’s also a lot more economical than the Kembara, which had a reputation for having a high fuel consumption, even with the newer DVVT engine.
Inside, it’s night and day between the two cars, with the Ativa sporting a modern design that includes a touch panel for the air-conditioning system, a touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster and steering wheel controls.
The Kembara only had what we would call bare necessities (AC and stereo) today, but it trumps the Ativa by having the all-important centre locking differential switch on the right of the dashboard. Sadly, Perodua has said that the Ativa will only be front-wheel drive, so it won’t be a favourite among oil palm plantations like the Kembara was.
The airbag-less steering wheel is a sign of just how basic safety requirements were back then (dual airbags came later), but the Ativa is a major leap forward, with six airbags being standard, along with various passive (stability control, ABS, EBD) and active (AEB, lane departure assist) systems.
The time gap between the initial launches of the Ativa and Kembara is just over two decades, and it’s certainly impressive to see just how much cars have evolved to what they are today. With more tech, features and the effects of inflation, it’s only natural to think that car prices will increase as time goes by. It’s not always the true picture, but here’s a take on it based on a little experiment we tried.
Referring to a Bernama report filed by the Perdana Leadership Foundation, when then prime minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad launched the Kembara on August 24, 1998, the SUV was offered in three variants – EX, GX and EZ – with on-the-road prices ranging from RM45,898 to RM52,276, making it one of the cheapest 4WD cars around then.
Running those figures through an inflation calculator (until January 2021) on the Department of Statistics Malaysia website, you end up with a range of RM72,405 to RM82,466. The Ativa is currently going for RM61,500 to RM72,000, so it seems like you do get more for less.
The Kembera was an important model as it proved that there was demand for a Perodua SUV, although after a misstep with the Nautica, the company would shy away from the segment for nearly a decade, only returning in 2019 with the Aruz. The Ativa marks the first time there are two SUVs in the company’s line-up at the same time, and learning from its past, Perodua is keeping to tradition and its core values – affordability and an attractive product – all while causing a stir if possible.
Enjoy this blast from the past and share with us the fondest memories you have of the Kembara in the comments below.
GALLERY: Perodua Ativa
GALLERY: Perodua Kembara
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
the Kembara was known as Kancil on stilts then, Lol.
This article perfectly captures what is seriously broken about our local car industry.
20 years ago, the Terios was rebadged by perodua and 20 years later, perodua is still rebadging the terios albeit in current form. Eh what?? So in that span of over 20 years what contributions did they put in to move on the car industry? Nothing?
What made it worse, the terios has grown up and became a much larger car. Yet for perodua their terios rebadge isnt marketed as the kembara replacement, no it became something more expensive and they need to develop a crappier car to fill in kembaras shoes.
So over 20 years on, the terios have went from strength to strength but here our kembara regress into ativa and some people are excited about this car?!
This is exactly how much we got deprived no thanks to perodua continued existence. NAP needs to go and perodua needs to go for us to finally get the better cars we see available globally.
Looks premium and solid. Well done p2.
Concur bruh..the disastrous NEP needs to go.
Typo mistake A to E. It is NAP needs to go. Sorry for my mistake bruhs
Bro, we think she really meant NEP…
Funny how you seem to know one is a he and the other a she. Are you familiar with them or are you them?
Enough of Ativa posts. How about Rusa vs Aruz?
Haha, agreed but then have not reach the number of article book by perodua marketing with paultan yet, so expect more la. tomorrow they will compare ativa with a cow cart…
Rusa vs Aruz vs Daihatsu Granmax….. too bad we can’t have the full 7 seater and personal use of grand Max like In Indonesia
Good replacement
Welcome to 2021
Can any P2 exec tell us forum readers,the number of bookings of Ativa ,by now?
Is it 15,000 into the second week since launching?
Anyway,kipidap..P2 for your very brutal blockbuster launching of the 2021 affordable compact SUV of the year.
But bruh… P2 figures are all lies just like their fuel consumption figures. What ever they say xblh caya
Why ask your colleagues, you can just tell us yourself :-)
a new and old burukdua, perodua an unethical brand
Suddenly I remember that stupid DVVT advertisement on TV.
Went to the showroom the other day. Everything is fine about the new car, but one thing that gave me a very very big disappointment – the back seat. I’m sure an adult will not get a proper support for the thigh, or worse still an adult will have to sit up very straight, because the back seat is unbelievably short.
Sir,you need to go for surgery to shorten your legs very soon,before getting the car.
So we’d have to be midgets or amputees to use a p2 car? Got it. Wow such statement from their resident SA
Nostalgia 1998, Malaysia destined to become the next Asian superpower… our country tipped to become the 5th Asian economy Tiger, after Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan… but leadership epic failure since 2009 derailed the nation.
Kembara looks better. And no 4wd for Ativa???
2 cars Cannot compare..because of the roadtax(kembara roadtax are much higher price)for 1.300cc.(subject closed) !!
Due to the same size, these two cars can be compared.
1998 Terios = Kembara
2020 Terios = Ativa? (eh why it became expensive Aruz?)
Kembara sales was boom on that era because many constructions work are going on as stimulus package by the G to rev up the economy and GDP. The opening of Putrajaya, KLIA. They all bought Kembara to use at this large site. And even Putrajaya Corp bought it in bulks.
I think if It’s offered with 4WD albeit with slightly higher price tag. Ativa would be able to garner more numbers of booking.
Why the silent on booking numbers, not like the bruhaha in the previous launched?
This comparison make sense. The other comparisons don’t make sense.
nice, you guys still can find a good condition kembara to pinjam for photoshooting.. appreciate you guys hard works
One is the increased height version of myvi, and the other is the increased height version of kancil
This comparison between an dated “old lady” and a new “youthful girl”.
Previous kembara has 4×4 while their new car only has FWD. It shows how much P2 has regressed
After weeks of comparison with X50 finally today we settledm Ativa as ‘mini’ SUV or ‘mini’ crossover.
After several weeks of comparison with X50, Ativa can only be compared with 1998 Kembara.
Funny how one would claim the height of this new car is “what one would want in an suv”. Sorry to say nope.
No 4×4 option is the big issue and if you ask a veteran trucker or suv user, something as high like the kembara is what one should want in an suv.
You can call this a cuv or crossover if you prefer but a proper suv it is most certainly not.
NGAM. the kembara was good enough to use at road construction site, the ativa – maybe just drive to the main project office, not up and down muddy hilly terrain. ofcos the jimny was the choice 15yrs back.
Don’t forget the success of the Kembara back then was due to the tax reclassification of 4WD vehicles that cause many other 4WD models to shoot up 50% in price overnight. Back then 4WD together with pickup truck are classified as commercial vehicles, hence it is not taxed as a passenger vehicle. Then came the Kembara and 4WD vehicles are classified as passenger vehicles. Case in point; look at the difference between a Fortuner & Hilux model.
1 is proper suv, 1 is suv look alike
Morelike SUV wannabe.
Isn’t Ativa more of a subcompact crossover SUV?
The Kembara is probably just a subcompact SUV.
Anyway, the dividing line between these classifications is not that clear cut nowadays.
The Kembata is a quite capable off roader. There are still few gomen owned running around in the jungle and city. If they can take the abuse of being a gomen vehicle, we can be rest assured its a reliable and capable vehicle. Still remember a video where it shows a Kembara going offroad with other usual suspect. It struggles a bit but as long as its not extreme, a skilled driver can get it through.
FC is a bit scary…migh as well get a petrol Pajero.
Perodua is really the 21st century “People’s Car” (Volkswagen). Axia, Myvi, Ativa and Aruz… they’ve got the whole life spectrum covered for the ordinary person. Really good job Perodua!
P2 believers think that Ativa’s size is as big as HRV，hahaha
How come they didn’t compare with Perodua Nautica. I’m as Nautica’s user feel so marginalized.
That is one car perodua wishes everyone to forget it ever existed. Nautica is became a taboo word for them.
Nautica sold very badly. in fact, i believe only around 800 of it were sold. i have never seen a nautica ever in my life :D
You’re trying being naughty by poking those fanboys on your so called naughtycar right.
Nautica is not comparable with Ativa and Kembara at all. It is 1.5 AWD, entry level B segment whereas Ativa and Kembara still in the A segment.
Kembara was a hero car back then.. the 4×4 is awesome for off-roading..
We were off-roading on muddy road just after raining. I was in a Kembara and others with Hilux and Ford Ranger. Kembara glided thru effortlessly while the Hilux and Ranger often got stuck and required support to pull them out with winch.
The 4×4 plus its light weight was awesome.
Kembara is 1 d*mn fun car to drive. AWD, tall, small and nifty.
I drove the manual version to construction site and as daily beater. Almost zero problems.
The other car comparable is the legendary Suzuki Jimny.
Kembara is the cheap alternative in a plantation and construction work. Cheap to run and maintain. Can’t drive fast in those areas also. When the roads gets though and with 4wd with central locking , no issue. Even if you’re stuck (which is once in a blue moon) a pull from the buffalo or a Backhoe will just get it running.
After so many years, still a rebadged car. What have local engineers learned?
Well done with all local components to build the car.
Well done our national car assembler! Rebadge dulu kini selamanya. Too bad we learn nothing for 30 year since birth of Perodua.
They’ve learnt that making cars is expensive business and that they better just go with the flow, or else their company will lose money and close down and they’ll be jobless…
I always had a toy Kembara and it was one of my first cars besides Wira that I loved mainly cause of his body. .
Automotive manufacturers would, where possible, choose 2WD over 4WD (full time or part time) in order to save cost. Proton initially offered an 4WD version of the X70, but eventually discontinued it because the low demand did not justify the higher 4WD production cost, although such a feature has been loosely associated with compact crossover SUVs.
At the very least offered an option variant. Here with Ativa there is no option to choose 4WD. Having options is our right as consumers, having no options just sucks from a brand perspective.
It’s similar to when there were automobile enthusiasts were questioning why the manual transmission versions of their favourite models were being gradually phased out of the market. With the increasing competitiveness within this industry, automotive companies are less willing to commit their limited resources to producing manual transmission vehicles when the demand for such models have significantly dropped from year to year. Out of what they produce, they have no choice but to sell as many as they can in order to stay in the business, and therefore, they can’t afford to ignore the market trend, whether some enthusiasts or consumers like it or not.
Daihatsu terios become perodua kembara …suzuki brezza design (toyota buy design but with tnga platform)become toyota raize/daihatsu rocky/perodua ativa…we should call perodua ativa (baby brezza)…just perfect 3 old years design with 17 old engine tech…just upgrade with new asashi kikai dcvt…but else ativa win…1kr series debut in 2004 …actual 2008 2nr dual vvti/dvvt series better fuel effiency n more refined 4 piston (less vibration )some more …in reality perodua 1.0 ativa dcvt have similar fuel consumption with perodua aruz 4 at…if aruz use cvt aisin(new vios) sure beat ativa fuel consumption…overall ativa x value for money …for white h variant so tiptop…but av pricetag similar with new honda city doch ivtec low spec variant. Also honda have lower interest rate…honda have awek/amoi attraction…also future mother in law fast impression approved honda city instead “bawak kereta perodua jer ?
Look at how far car design, safety and technology has come! Good job Perodua. Active safety for cars under RM100,000… great job Ativa!