Verdict
The Aruz is the practical-family choice here: seven seats, a longer 2,685 mm wheelbase and a 45-litre tank suit buyers who regularly carry more people. It also carries a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating. The Ativa fights back hard with 140 Nm versus 133 Nm, 5.3 L/100 km versus 6.4 L/100 km, AEB and a larger 369-litre boot despite having only five seats. If you do not need row three, the smaller Perodua is easier to justify.
Pick the Perodua Aruz if you need seven seats, rear-wheel drive and the reassurance of a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating.
Pick the Perodua Ativa if five seats are enough and you want lower running costs, AEB and more boot space.
Key differences
- Price: Perodua Aruz RM72,900; Perodua Ativa RM62,500.
- Seats: Perodua Aruz 7; Perodua Ativa 5.
- Powertrain: Perodua Aruz 1,496 cc, 101 hp/133 Nm, conventional auto and RWD; Perodua Ativa 996 cc, 97 hp/140 Nm, CVT and FWD.
- Fuel use and road tax: Perodua Aruz 6.4 L/100 km and RM120/year; Perodua Ativa 5.3 L/100 km and RM20/year.
- Size and boot: Perodua Aruz 4,435 mm long with 213 litres; Perodua Ativa 4,065 mm long with 369 litres.
- Safety: Perodua Aruz 6 airbags, 5-star ASEAN NCAP and AEB not listed; Perodua Ativa 6 airbags, ASEAN NCAP not stated and AEB fitted.
Aruz
- Seven-seat cabin
- Longer 2,685 mm wheelbase
- 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating
- RM10,400 dearer
- Higher 6.4 L/100 km fuel use
- Smaller 213-litre boot
Ativa
- Lower RM62,500 price
- AEB fitted
- 369-litre boot
- Five seats only
- Smaller 36-litre fuel tank
- No ASEAN NCAP score stated
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM72,900 | RM62,500✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged and Intercooled with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 996 cc |
| Horsepower | 101 hp✓ | 97 hp |
| Torque | 133 Nm | 140 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72 mm | 71 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 9.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4 Speed Automatic | D-CVT |
| Gears | 4 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Akashi Kikai |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 6.4 L/100 km | 5.3 L/100 km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,435 mm | 4,065 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,710 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,685 mm | 2,525 mm |
| Weight | 1,300 kg | 1,020 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 36 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 213 litres | 369 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 205/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 205/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 17" Alloy | Full Size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001A | Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Live Axle with Coil Springs | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Black Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Black Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Reflectors with Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, manual recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con (digital controls with memory function) | Manual Air-con (Digital Controls with Memory Function) |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Last Row | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 3 Front, 2 Last Row | 2 Front |
| Audio | 7.0" Touchscreen Radio DVD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and 6 speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Four Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up/Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Automatic Door-Lock Past 20 km/h | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM20✓ |
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.
Used Aruz & Ativa for sale
Aruz vs Ativa FAQ
Is the Perodua Aruz or Perodua Ativa better?
The Ativa is better if five seats are enough: it costs less, uses 5.3 L/100 km, has AEB and a 369-litre boot. Choose the Aruz if you need seven seats or its 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating matters more.
What is the price difference?
The Aruz is RM10,400 more expensive: RM72,900 against RM62,500 for the Ativa. The gap does not buy more torque or boot space; it mainly buys the seven-seat layout and larger body.
Which is cheaper to run?
The Ativa should be cheaper to run on these figures, with 5.3 L/100 km fuel use and RM20 annual road tax. The Aruz is rated at 6.4 L/100 km and RM120 annual road tax.