Verdict
At RM62,500, the Alza costs RM186,745 less and answers the family brief with seven seats, five doors and a 2,750 mm wheelbase. Its 105 hp, 138 Nm 1.5-litre engine and 5.3 L/100 km rating put economy ahead of pace. The BRZ is the focused alternative: 234 hp, 250 Nm, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual deliver a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds. Malaysian buyers must also allow for RM767 annual road tax against the Alza’s RM120.
Pick the Perodua Alza if you need seven seats, five doors, 5.3 L/100 km rated economy and a far lower purchase price.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and 234 hp matter more than passenger capacity and running costs.
Key differences
- Price: Perodua Alza RM62,500; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Output: Perodua Alza 105 hp and 138 Nm; Subaru BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Driveline/transmission: Perodua Alza front-wheel drive D-CVT; Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive six-speed manual.
- Seating/doors: Perodua Alza seven seats and five doors; Subaru BRZ four seats and two doors.
- Wheelbase: Perodua Alza 2,750 mm; Subaru BRZ 2,575 mm.
- Road tax: Perodua Alza RM120 per year; Subaru BRZ RM767 per year.
Alza
- Seven seats and five doors
- 5.3 L/100 km rated economy
- ASA 3.0 braking with pedestrian detection
- 105 hp and 138 Nm versus 234 hp and 250 Nm
- Rear drum brakes versus the BRZ’s ventilated rear discs
- No blind spot information system or reverse camera
BRZ
- 234 hp, 250 Nm and 6.3-second 0-100 km/h claim
- Rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual
- Double-wishbone rear suspension and ventilated rear discs
- RM186,745 higher purchase price and RM767 annual road tax
- Four seats and two doors versus the Alza’s seven seats and five doors
- No autonomous braking system or lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 62,500✓ | RM 249,245 |
| Body type | MPV | Coupe |
| Segment | B-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 2NR-VE, 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 105 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 138 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72.5 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.5 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | D-CVT | — |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Akashi Kikai | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.3 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | — | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,425 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,730 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,145 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 137 litres | 226 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/65R15 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/65R15 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 15" | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 15" Silver Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Silver Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Drum | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, ASA 3.0 Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front and Second Row Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Automatic High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Sliding and Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Single-zone with Digital Controls and Memory | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Adjustable Blower | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB for Second Row | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Four Speakers | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 767 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Alza vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Perodua Alza or Subaru BRZ better?
The Alza is better for carrying people, with seven seats, five doors and a 2,750 mm wheelbase. The BRZ is better for performance driving, with 234 hp, 250 Nm, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru BRZ costs RM186,745 more than the Perodua Alza. Its annual road tax is also RM647 higher, at RM767 versus RM120.
Which has more usable passenger capacity?
The Perodua Alza does. It has seven seats, five doors, rear air-con vents and two rear USB ports, while the Subaru BRZ has four seats, two doors and no rear air-con.