Perodua Alza 2022

  • Perodua Alza vs Toyota Veloz – which one sells more?

    Perodua Alza vs Toyota Veloz – which one sells more?

    We have covered this ‘Alza vs Veloz‘ topic pretty in-depth in Malaysia. Both essentially part of the same family, The single-spec Toyota Veloz is nearly RM20,000 more expensive than the range topping version of its sister car Perodua Alza, despite both being built at the Perodua plant in Sungai Choh, Rawang.

    Paying RM95,000 for the Veloz versus RM75,500 for the Alza AV gets you the following:

    • Different looks
    • Access to Toyota service centre
    • Integrated LED DRL
    • Bigger 17 inch wheels
    • 30mm taller ride height
    • Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
    • Automatic climate control
    • Qi wireless charger
    • Telescopic adjustment for steering wheel
    • No km limit for 5-year warranty


    Left: Alza sales, Right: Veloz sales

    So how many people are forking out almost RM20,000 to get the above? It turns out, more than 5,000 people this year to date versus 23,390 for the Alza. This is according to the JPJ registration data which you can find on MAMPU’s data.gov.my website.

    To be clear, this isn’t actually indicative of which one sells more, but maybe it is more accurate to say this reflects the ratio of how many Alza and Veloz are produced by the factory.

    This is because both cars are immensely popular with long waiting lists and whatever the factory can produce, it is pretty much registered immediately.

    So what we are seeing here is JPJ registration and not sales order book.

    One thing’s for sure, if you are particularly tall, the telescopic steering might be essential to find a comfortable driving position. About the rest, what do you think, is it worth it paying RM20k more?

    Share your thoughts in the comments.

    If you’re in the market for a 7-seater MPV like the Alza/Veloz and want to learn more about the Alza and the Veloz you can check out our extensive coverage that we have previously published.

    LINK: Perodua Alza vs Toyota Veloz in 2023 – similarities and differences between the two 7-seat MPVs in Malaysia


     
     
  • Perodua Alza vs Toyota Veloz in 2023 – similarities and differences between the two 7-seat MPVs in Malaysia

    Perodua Alza vs Toyota Veloz in 2023 – similarities and differences between the two 7-seat MPVs in Malaysia

    The Toyota Veloz has been launched in Malaysia to replace the second-generation Avanza in the local line-up. Offering in a sole variant, the new seven-seat MPV is based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) that is also used by third-generation Avanza as well as the Daihatsu Xenia and Perodua Alza.

    Here, the Veloz is the sister car to the Alza, with both being manufactured by Perodua at its plant in Sungai Choh, Rawang. While they may be built at the same location, the Veloz is positioned as a more upmarket offering compared to the Alza, and the price certainly reflects that. At RM95,000 on-the-road without insurance, the single-spec Veloz is nearly RM20,000 more than the range-topping Alza AV (RM75,500).

    With full details of the local-spec Veloz now available, we can better compare it to the Alza so shoppers in the market for a seven-seat MPV are fully aware of all the differences and similarities between the two.

    2022 Toyota Veloz (left), Perodua Alza AV (right)

    Starting with the mechanicals, both models are powered by a 2NR-VE 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 106 PS (105 hp or 78 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. The Dual VVT-i mill is paired with a D-CVT to drive the front wheels, and drivers have access to a manual mode for the gearbox with seven virtual gears as well as three drive modes (Eco, Normal and Power).

    Similarly, the Veloz and Alza come with McPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, with both also sporting disc brakes all around (lesser Alza variants get rear drum brakes instead).

    In terms of visuals, the Veloz gets its own face that is entirely different from the Alza, as evident by its downturned hexagonal-shaped grille with a Y-patterned insert. By comparison, the Alza sports a bowl-shaped grille with a thick bar running across its L-patterned insert.

    2022 Toyota Veloz (left), Perodua Alza AV (right)

    The X-themed profile of the Alza’s bumper is also unique to accommodate its grille, which is joined by LED fog lamps integrated into the angular black trim. The Veloz’s fog lamps are more prominent by being triple-element units arranged horizontally on its trim and is further garnished by T-shaped chrome accents.

    On the mention of lighting, the LED headlamps on the Toyota MPV come with LED daytime running lights (DRLs are optional for Alza with the GearUp body kit) and are bridged by a chrome strip at the top of the grille, which traces its way above the lighting clusters, along the fenders and windowline and terminating near the D-pillars – the Alza doesn’t get the chrome strips on its fenders.

    Moving to the rear, both cars share a similar taillight assembly, but only the Veloz gets a red line leading to the central emblem and a model script above the number plate recess. Other notable differences are the bumpers, with the Veloz having horizontally aligned reflectors on black surrounds to closely mirror what you see at the front. The Alza’s setup sees the reflectors positioned further down within its own distinctive surround, and unlike its close sibling, it lacks an indented silver centre section that mimics the look of a skid plate.

    2022 Toyota Veloz (left), Perodua Alza AV (right)

    Other exterior differences are the wheels and dimensions, with the former being 17-inch units on the Veloz, while the Alza tops out at 16 inches. As for dimensions, both have the same 2,750 mm wheelbase, but the Veloz’s bumpers mean it is 50 mm longer than the Alza AV at 4,475 mm. The Toyota MPV is also slightly wider at 1,750 mm (+20 mm) due to its protruding wheel arches, which are the opposite of the Alza’s that has its recessed.

    Another significant aspect is height, with the Veloz measuring 1,700 mm tall compared to the Alza AV that is 1,670 mm. The 30 mm difference boils down to ground clearance, with the Veloz having 190 mm, which is 30 mm more than the Alza with 160 mm (150 mm for the base X).

    If you prefer the low-slung MPV look, the Alza is the one to have with its car-like ground clearance that Perodua says allows for easy entry and exit of passengers and cargo (lower load floor). Meanwhile, Toyota says that you won’t need to “worry about damaging the undercarriage while going over rough terrain, speed bumps or potholes” with their taller offering.

    2022 Toyota Veloz (left), Perodua Alza AV (right)

    Before moving inside, it should be pointed out that only the Veloz can be ordered with a two-tone paint scheme with the Blue Metallic and Silver Metallic hues. Other options are monotone and include Metallic Bluish Black, Red Metallic and White. The Alza’s palette consists of Vintage Brown, Elegant Black, Garnet Red, Glittering Silver and Ivory White, although some are exclusive to H and AV variants.

    Getting into both cars, the Veloz and Alza share a nearly identical main dashboard, but the design of the former’s air vents is unique to the model. Toyota’s head unit measures nine inches – same as the Alza – but is more feature packed with support for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – the Alza only gets wired Android Auto on the AV. The speaker count for both is six, including two tweeters.

    The digital control panel for the cars’ single-zone air-conditioning are different too, with the Toyota MPV having two round knobs and an automatic function. The Alza’s panel has buttons only and there’s no automatic function available, although there are two memory positions available.

    2022 Toyota Veloz (left), Perodua Alza AV (right)

    Another thing the Veloz gets that the Alza doesn’t is a Qi wireless charger that resides on the centre console – the Alza fits central locking buttons in the space instead; the Veloz’s central locking is accessed via the knob on the driver’s door. The Toyota MPV also gets chunky door pulls on the door cards and LED ambient lighting (on the doors and centre stack) to reflect its more upmarket positioning.

    You’ll also notice the Alza AV comes with a two-tone dash with dark red as the contrast colour, while its light grey for the Veloz. What’s not immediately obvious is telescopic adjustment, which is exclusive to the Veloz – the Alza’s three-spoke steering wheel only adjusts for tilt.

    2022 Toyota Veloz (left), Perodua Alza AV (right)

    Going through the equipment lists, keyless entry and engine start, auto-retracting side mirrors, 60:40 split-folding second-row seats, 50:50 split-folding third-row seats, second-row armrest, an integrated dashcam, an electronic parking brake (with auto hold) and a spare wheel are standard for the Veloz and Alza AV. The same applies to the semi-leather upholstery, although the seat patterns are different and the Veloz doesn’t get any contrasting accents.

    On the safety front, the Veloz and Alza AV come with six airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, ABS, EBD, brake assist, hill start assist, emergency stop signal, front and rear parking sensors (two on each end) and second-row ISOFIX child seat anchors (outer seats).

    2022 Toyota Veloz spec sheet (left), Perodua Alza (right)

    Driver assistance systems are identical for both as well, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane centring assist, front departure alert, pedal misoperation control, a blind spot monitor, automatic high beam, rear cross traffic alert and a 360-degree camera.

    Lastly, when it comes to warranty, the Toyota Veloz comes with a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty while the Perodua Alza comes with a 5 year 150,000 km warranty, which might be an advantage for the Veloz if you are a high mileage user.

    LINK: Toyota Veloz vs Perodua Alza compared on CarBase.my

    With all the differences and similarities laid out, would you pick the Veloz over the Alza? Keep in mind that unlike the previously launched Aruz and Rush, the dissimilarities are greater between the brands’ latest seven-seat MPVs. Money on the line, which one gets your pick?

    GALLERY: 2022 Toyota Veloz

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV with GearUp bodykit and accessories

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza – full video review of the 7-seater MPV; is this the best car under RM100k, full stop?

    2022 Perodua Alza – full video review of the 7-seater MPV; is this the best car under RM100k, full stop?

    You’ve read our review of the 2022 Perodua Alza and if we sound impressed there, it’s more of the same in this comprehensive video review. Here, Hafriz Shah points out the things he likes about the second-generation Alza, as well as the bits that he doesn’t agree with. And there are a few of those. This video isn’t short, but it contains all you need to know about 2022’s most significant new car.

    While the Alza isn’t perfect, the negative points are in the finer details and Perodua has done well in the things that matter the most in an affordable family MPV – space and practicality, safety and efficiency/fuel economy. We’ve come to expect those things from the market leader of late, but the Alza throws in a surprise bonus – we’ll explain in the video.

    Launched in July, the D27A replaces the original JDM-based Alza that’s now 13 years old, a few lifetimes in the car world. At 4,425 mm long and 1,730 mm wide, its footprint is 205 mm longer and 35 mm wider than the old Alza, even if the 2,750 mm wheelbase is unchanged.

    The larger body yields more interior room for both humans and cargo – interior length with the second row seats pushed furthest back is 2,765 mm, which is a significant 115 mm more than before. The 35 mm extra width of the body fully translates to interior width, too.

    The old Alza was barely there as a three-row MPV and had only 83 litres of boot space with all seats raised. Now, it’s a usable 137 litres (+54L, good for a couple of duffel bags). With the third row bench folded (50:50), cargo space is now 498 litres, a massive 150L improvement.

    The Alza has been merged with the Toyota Avanza/Veloz and the Daihatsu Xenia, and all sit on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) front-wheel-drive platform. Each has its own unique face, so the Alza will look different from the Veloz that will launch in Malaysia soon. We’ve detailed the Alza-Veloz differences in a separate post here.

    2022 Perodua Alza – full video review of the 7-seater MPV; is this the best car under RM100k, full stop?

    Face aside, the Alza, with its unique suspension tune and low ground clearance of 160 mm, sits 30 mm lower than the Malaysian-spec Veloz (190 mm, already lower than Indonesia’s 205 mm). This deliberately low GC was chosen for easy entry and exit for young and old members of the family, but a low centre of gravity also improves dynamics.

    Under the hood is the Perodua-made Dual VVT-i NR engine that also powers the Myvi, Vios/Yaris and the upcoming Veloz. 105 hp and 138 Nm doesn’t sound like much, especially for an MPV, but at 1,170 kg, the Alza is only 20 kg heavier than the top spec Vios despite having more metal, seats and features. For added context, the sporty Mazda 3 Hatchback, which also comes with a 1.5L NA engine, tips the scales at 1,368 kg, nearly 200 kg more. That’s down to the DNGA, which also delivers a five-star ASEAN NCAP performance.

    P2 says that the new engine provides 40% better fuel efficiency plus improved performance. Eco Idle (auto start-stop) is standard. The Euro 4 four-pot is paired to the D-CVT gearbox that made its local debut with the turbocharged Ativa last year. The world’s first split gear CVT system then appeared in the Myvi facelift, paired with NA NR engines. Here, like on the Ativa, the D-CVT has manual mode, which the Myvi misses out on.

    2022 Perodua Alza – full video review of the 7-seater MPV; is this the best car under RM100k, full stop?

    New to the brand is Drive Modes (H and AV). Normal, Eco and Power modes are selectable via a ‘DRIVE’ steering button on the right spoke, where the ‘PWR’ button is on the Ativa and Myvi. Short press for Power, long press for Eco. The latter provides heightened response while the latter optimises fuel economy.

    Speaking of FC, it’s 22 km/l in what P2 calls the Malaysian Driving Cycle, which supposedly reflects local conditions. It’s 18.9 km/l in the more familiar NEDC. Perodua claims that an Alza needs less than RM40 of RON 95 petrol to travel from KL to Penang (358 km), based on the current RM2.05 per litre. We couldn’t get close to 22 km/l, but our average was a respectable figure – more in the video.

    In the kit department, the Alza gets all equipment of the Ativa, with the bonus of some new-to-Perodua features. Six airbags and ASA are standard from the base model (no compromise when it comes to safety), and there’s also the digital meter panel, ACC + LKC (this pack always comes with BSM and RCTA) and the Lexus-level Adaptive Driving Beam LED headlamps.

    New-to-brand features include the electronic parking brake (EPB) with auto brake hold (necessitates rear disc brakes), a 360-degree panoramic view monitor (can be manually turned on via steering button) and a new infotainment system that looks better and has Android Auto and the just-approved Apple CarPlay. The ACC now has low speed follow or traffic jam assist.

    The level of kit is astounding and is way beyond what non-national B-segment sedans and hatchbacks offer for the money. Never mind Proton, which base X50 goes for RM86,300 and has just four airbags. P1’s cheapest car with ADAS is the X50 Flagship at RM113,300. The same can be said of the Veloz of course, but at an estimated RM95k, the T-badged MPV is less of a value proposition.

    The new 2022 Perodua Alza is priced at RM62,500 for the base X, RM68,000 for the mid-spec H and RM75,500 for the AV. Prices are on-the-road excluding insurance, with sales tax. The AV you see here has the GearUp Prime bodykit with LED daytime running lights, as well as faux leather seat covers and other minor accessories – full GearUp catalogue here. For more on the Alza, check out our spec-by spec comparison post and written review.

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV with GearUp bodykit, accessories

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – more than old Alza, similar to Myvi, Ativa and Aruz over five years

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – more than old Alza, similar to Myvi, Ativa and Aruz over five years

    The second-generation Perodua Alza is the latest in the carmaker’s line-up to be powered by the 2NR-VE engine, which is also used by the current Myvi and Aruz. The 2NR-VE is a 1.5 litre DOHC naturally-aspirated four-cylinder with Dual VVT-i, and while it is shared by the three models, the outputs to differ slightly.

    Of the three, the Alza’s engine has the highest outputs at 106 PS (105 hp or 78 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. This is followed by the Myvi that serves up 103 PS (102 hp or 76 kW) and 137 Nm and the Aruz at 102 PS (101 hp or 75 kW) and 133 Nm. In terms of transmissions, both the Alza and Myvi feature a D-CVT that drives the front wheels, but the Aruz is rear-wheel drive and comes with a four-speed automatic instead.

    In this post, we’re examining how much it’ll cost to maintain the Alza over five years or 100,000 km relative to the Myvi and Aruz. For additional point of comparison, we’re also bringing in the Ativa with its 1KR-VET 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder mill and D-CVT, which does overlap with the Alza and Aruz when it comes to price, as well as the original Alza that has the older 3SZ-VE 1.5 litre engine and 4AT.

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – more than old Alza, similar to Myvi, Ativa and Aruz over five years

    As usual, some housekeeping is in order before we proceed. Firstly, the models mentioned are obviously aimed at different audiences, so this post is purely to show how much it’ll cost to maintain each of the four models that Perodua customers with a slightly larger budget may be considering. If you’re looking for a maintenance cost comparison involving the Alza and its rivals, we’ve already done one with the Mitsubishi Xpander and Honda BR-V which you can check out here.

    Secondly, all the figures in these tables are pulled from the official maintenance schedules that are readily available at Perodua’s website at the time of writing. All good and clear? Let’s dive right in.

    As you can see, the cost of maintain the Alza over five years/100,000 km doesn’t differ significantly from its stablemates. Compared to the Aruz, the seven-seat MPV is RM81.55 more costly to maintain, while the gulf widens to RM216.86 against the Myvi.

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – more than old Alza, similar to Myvi, Ativa and Aruz over five years

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance schedule; click to enlarge

    The Ativa is the costliest to maintain of the bunch, although by only an extra RM17.04 compared to the Alza. It should be noted that divided over five years, these differences are largely negligible. In the case of the first-generation Alza, the OG is the cheapest to the bunch when it comes to scheduled maintenance, although the sum climbs to RM3,481.06 when all optional Pro Care items are included (RM660.70).

    Looking at the itemised schedules, the costs of the engine oil (fully synthetic), oil filter and brake fluid used by the new Alza, Myvi, Aruz and Ativa are identical, with the exception of the old Alza that uses a more affordable semi-synthetic engine oil. The new Alza’s engine drain plug gasket is the costliest too, although it doesn’t require a coolant top up within a five-year/100,000-km ownership period like its siblings.

    When it comes to big-ticket items, the Alza, Myvi and Aruz require new iridium spark plugs at 60 months/100,000 km at a cost of RM220.40, which is a lot less than the Ativa’s spark plugs that cost RM471.90. The previous Aruz’s spark plugs are changed every 12 months/20,000 km, which costs RM302 in total over 100,000 km/60 months. All the D-CVT-equipped models also get their transmission fluids changed at the same point, which is priced at RM101.30 inclusive of the drain plug gasket. Meanwhile, the 4AT models (Aruz and old Alza) need two transmission fluid changes every 40,000 km/24 months.

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – more than old Alza, similar to Myvi, Ativa and Aruz over five years

    2021 Perodua Aruz maintenance schedule; click to enlarge

    The rear-wheel drive Aruz’s driveline requires the lubricants for the four-speed automatic and rear differential changed twice over five years at two-year/40,000-km intervals, with each time costing RM151.50. The Aruz does require less frequent cabin filter replacements (every 18 months/30,000 km), which does offset the maintenance cost.

    The Aruz’s official service schedule also lists Pro Care service items that are optional. These include air filter (for the engine) and brake fluid changes at 12 months/20,000 km; 36 months/60,000 km; and 60 months/100,000 km, along with tyre alignment, balancing and rotation ever 12 months/20,000 km. There’s also a spark plug change at 30 months/50,000 km. Including all the Pro Care options across five years will add RM738.10 to the Aruz’s maintenance bill.

    As always, there’s more to overall running costs beyond the visits to the service centre. For instance, road tax differs between SUVs and non-SUVs. The Alza and Myvi are RM90 yearly, but it’s RM120 for the Aruz and just RM20 for the Ativa.

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – more than old Alza, similar to Myvi, Ativa and Aruz over five years

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – more than old Alza, similar to Myvi, Ativa and Aruz over five years

    2022 Perodua Myvi maintenance schedule (top), 2021 Perodua Ativa (bottom); click to enlarge

    There’s also the matter of consumables like tyres, which can differ wildly in price according to wheel sizes. The Alza’s wheels range between 15 and 16 inches in size, it’s between 14 and 15 inches for the Myvi. As for the SUVs, the Ativa’s alloys start at 16 inches and go up to 17 inches, with the latter being the standard for the Aruz.

    Brakes are another consumable too, and the Ativa, Myvi and Aruz use front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. This is also true of the Alza, although the top-spec variant of the MPV comes with front and rear disc brakes to go along with its first-for-a-Perodua electronic parking brake.

    Adding to this is fuel consumption, which differs based on driving style. Referring to Perodua’s official claimed fuel consumption figures, the Myvi is the most economical of the four models compared here, delivering 21.1 km/l according to the ECE standard, followed by the Ativa (18.9 km/l) and Aruz (15.6 km/l). The Alza according to the NEDC will do 18.9 km/l, or 22 km/l in the Malaysian Driving Cycle.

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – more than old Alza, similar to Myvi, Ativa and Aruz over five years

    2018 Perodua Alza AT maintenance schedule; click to enlarge

    In terms of actual pricing, the Alza goes for between RM62,500-RM75,500, while the Aruz is from RM72,900-RM77,900, the Ativa from RM62,500-RM72,600, and the Myvi (with the 2NR-VE) is from RM50,900-RM59,900. The old Alza was priced from RM52,661 to RM60,525, if you discount the sub-RM50k manual version.

    So, there you have it. The new Alza is costlier than its predecessor to maintain over five years/100,000 km, although the total cost doesn’t differ that much from Perodua models being sold today, which is good to know if you’re considering any of the four current models compared here. Thoughts?

     
     
  • REVIEW: 2022 Perodua Alza AV – the best family car below 100k in Malaysia, not just among 7-seater MPVs

    REVIEW: 2022 Perodua Alza AV – the best family car below 100k in Malaysia, not just among 7-seater MPVs

    Perodua Alza 2022 – Quick Facts

    The Alza 2022 was launched on July 20, 2022. It comes in 3 specs – X, H and AV.

    If you are interested in buying a Perodua Alza for your next car, this page will tell you all you need to know about making your buying decision.

    Table of Contents

    Alza 2022 Prices

    The following is the pricing for all 3 specs of the Perodua Alza 2022:

    Compare on CarBase.my: Perodua Alza X vs H vs AV specs

    Alza 2022 Safety

    In terms of crash safety, the Perodua Alza 2022 has scored a 5-star ASEAN NCAP crash test result. It features ABS, stability control and 6 airbags.

    All spec levels feature Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) – Pre-collision Warning (PCW, vehicle 4-120 km/h, pedestrian 4-60 km/h), Pre-collision Braking (PCB or AEB, vehicle 4-120 km/h, pedestrian 4-60 km/h), Front Departure Alert (FDA) and Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC).

    In terms of child passenger safety, the Alza comes with 2 sets of ISOFIX points to mount child seats on the middle row outer two seats. All 7 seats feature three-point seat belts.

    Alza 2022 Maintenance Cost

    We have done some analysis on how much it costs to maintain the Perodua Alza 2022 compared to other cars. You can read more about it via the links below.

    Alza 2022 Competitors

    Other than the Perodua Alza 2022, the following compete in the same segment:

    Compare on CarBase.my: Perodua Alza vs Honda BR-V vs Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Veloz

    Alza compared to Veloz

    The Perodua Alza and Toyota Veloz are similiar cars both based on the DNGA platform, but the top spec Alza is RM20k cheaper than the Veloz. Basically you can think of the Veloz as the highest spec Alza that is not found in the Alza line-up/ What does the RM20k price difference get you? You can learn in the link below.

    Learn more about the Alza 2022

    You can read our comprehensive coverage on the Perodua Alza 2022 to help you discover if the Alza is a suitable choice for your next car purchase.

    Watch our Perodua Alza 2022 video review

    We have produced a video review of the Alza 2022 if you prefer watching a video to reading text – it’s over 49 minutes long but it’s very detailed.

    Perodua Alza 2022 – Full Review

    The new Perodua Alza is the best family car priced below RM100k. And beyond, but we’ll stick to the round number. Not just the best affordable MPV in Malaysia, but the best family car, period. Hear us out.

    Perodua has been dishing out hit after hit of late, upping the ante when it comes to what we can expect for X amount of money. The volley of blows started with the Ativa in early 2021 – the small SUV saw the local debut of the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, Turbo-CVT powertrain, Level 2 autonomous driving and Matrix LED headlamps, among other features.

    The market leader then updated the Myvi late last year, fortifying Malaysia’s best-selling car with some of the features that debut in the Ativa. Already miles ahead of rival Protons in the safety department, the Myvi is now offered with Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) in all variants, and the AV gets the Ativa’s Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Control (LKC) as well. The D-CVT brought refinement, performance and economy benefits to the G3.

    That 1.5L NR engine and D-CVT combo powers the new Alza, which turbo engine aside, gets all the equipment found in the Ativa, and then some. The second-generation Alza is the best equipped Perodua to date, and it’s astonishing what we’re getting for the money, which is from RM62,500 for the base X up to RM75,500 for the top of the range AV model you see here.

    No holding back the kit

    REVIEW: 2022 Perodua Alza AV – the best family car below 100k in Malaysia, not just among 7-seater MPVs

    Toyota Malaysia has its own version of the Alza called the Veloz. For this generation, the Alza was merged with the Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia, making it four versions of the same MPV. All sit on the DNGA platform, which also underpins the Ativa-RockyRaize SUV triplets.

    The Veloz is priced at RM95k, which means that the gap between it and the top Alza – both made in the same Perodua factory – is RM20k, a rather big premium for cars below RM100k. While the differences between Alza and Veloz MPVs are deeper compared to the AruzRush, including a 30 mm higher ground clearance for the Veloz, we still expected more. In other words, we didn’t expect the Alza to be so well-kitted next to the “big brother”.

    As mentioned, the Alza combines the powertrain of the Myvi with all the kit of the Ativa, with the bonus of some new-to-Perodua features. Six airbags and ASA are standard from the base model (no compromise when it comes to safety), and there’s also the digital meter panel, ACC + LKC (this pack always comes with BSM and RCTA) and the Lexus-level Adaptive Driving Beam LED headlamps.

    The Alza goes further with some new-to-brand features, such as the electronic parking brake (EPB) with auto brake hold (necessitates rear disc brakes), a 360-degree panoramic view monitor and a new infotainment system that looks better and has Android Auto and the just-approved Apple CarPlay. Brake hold makes daily urban driving so much easier and the PVM has a nifty steering button to manually turn it on. The ACC now has low speed follow or traffic jam assist.

    This level of kit is way beyond what non-national B-segment sedans and hatchbacks offer for the money. Proton? The base X50 goes for RM86,300 and has just four airbags. Want AEB? P1’s cheapest car with ADAS is the X50 Flagship, yours for RM113,300.

    If you want to go deeper, the next-generation Vios, which has just been revealed in Thailand, finally gets on DNGA and receives ASA (branded as Toyota Safety Sense, but without ACC). The new Toyota’s steering wheel and meter panel are the exact items used in the Ativa/Alza; ditto the minor cabin switches. So, we’re essentially getting the group’s next-gen B-segment stuff in advance via Perodua.

    The same can be said of the Veloz, of course, but at RM95k, it’s less of a value proposition. Face and ride height aside, key differences include LED DRLs (you’ll have to GearUp in the Alza for DRLs, an overwhelming majority are going for it), 17-inch wheels (an inch up), black roof/roof rails, Toyota’s head unit (wireless AA and CP), auto air-con (but without P2-style memory) ambient lighting and a Qi wireless charger. We’ve detailed the differences in a separate post here.

    Whichever way you look at it, the Alza is plenty of modern car for the money.

    Family first

    REVIEW: 2022 Perodua Alza AV – the best family car below 100k in Malaysia, not just among 7-seater MPVs

    You’re here because you have a family, right? The Alza’s rear quarters is where it sets itself apart from passenger cars or small SUVs in the price bracket. It’s really plush here compared to the Honda City, Toyota Vios, Proton X50 and Perodua’s own Ativa.

    The new Alza is 4,425 mm long and 1,730 mm wide, which means that its footprint is 205 mm longer and 35 mm wider than the original JDM-based model, even if the 2,750 mm wheelbase is unchanged. The larger body yields more interior room for both humans and cargo – interior length with the second row seats pushed furthest back is 2,765 mm, which is a significant 115 mm more than before. The 35 mm extra width of the body fully translates to interior width, too.

    The old Alza was barely there as a three-row MPV and had only 83 litres of boot space with all seats raised. Now, it’s a usable 137 litres (+54L, good for a couple of duffel bags). With the third row bench folded (50:50), cargo space is now 498 litres, a massive 150L improvement.

    Used purely as a two-row car (Perodua says 40% of old Alza owners did so), legroom is very generous when the middle row is pushed furthest back (you can even cross your legs), and feet can tuck under the front seats easily, even when the front chairs are at their lowest position.

    Couple this with a wide range of backrest recline, a fold down centre armrest and a three-speed blower, this is as good as it gets for rear accommodation below RM100k. There are two USB chargers behind the front centre console, plus a single cupholder there. Speaking of drinks, there are handy cupholders on the rear doors (arm level, appropriate for hot beverages) and a row of them in the bin below.

    The GearUp faux leather seat covers you see here have additional seatback pockets in various sizes. They appear to be designed for a phone, an iPad and a laptop/magazine.

    REVIEW: 2022 Perodua Alza AV – the best family car below 100k in Malaysia, not just among 7-seater MPVs

    This is before we even factor in the bonus over choosing an MPV over a B-sedan/hatch – the third row. It’s relatively pleasant back here – there’s enough knee and headroom for this 175 cm writer and my feet can slot in under the middle row, which is important. Usually, kids will be relegated to the third row when there are extra adults to carry, and they’ll be fine here – it’s not claustrophobic and there’s even a USB charging port and more cupholders.

    Capacity is one thing, access is another. It was a deliberate decision by Perodua to keep the Alza’s ground clearance to a car-like 160 mm (Malaysian-spec Veloz 190 mm, Indonesian-spec Veloz and Mitsubishi Xpander 205 mm, Aruz/Rush 220 mm) and it pays off in the ease of access. There’s no need to climb into the Alza, and if you have elderly parents or passengers who are less mobile, this is a strong point. Access to the third row is also very easy thanks to the one-movement tumble fold function.

    I see plenty of sense in the Alza being a family car if you have two kids (I don’t, but my parents loved the space), versus a B-segment passenger car (picture a child seat, a stroller and a week’s worth of groceries). It’s like a Myvi with extra legroom and a big boot, with a bonus row of seats for the parents/in-laws. Extended family outing aside, this is a spacious five-seater that’s as easy to drive as a B-hatchback due to its stance.

    Happy driver, happy family

    REVIEW: 2022 Perodua Alza AV – the best family car below 100k in Malaysia, not just among 7-seater MPVs

    So, we’ve established that the Alza is a great family car, but you – the driver – are not forgotten. After all, happy driver, happy family, right?

    The Alza’s cockpit is a pleasant place to be working in. The above-mentioned low ground clearance is very apparent if you’re coming from the Ativa, as I did. You can really feel those few centimetres when getting out of the car, when your leg touches the ground. The “regular car feel” continues with the conventional dashboard layout, as opposed to the MPV-style central meter position of the old Alza.

    The driver’s seat is comfortable for long distances, being not too hard and well-bolstered. The leather-fabric combo is nice too – the quilt pattern isn’t too loud, and the accents match the deep red/brownish trim on the dashboard. I prefer the regular AV seats over the GearUp PVC covers – the latter feels a bit “puffy” and its brighter red doesn’t match the dash.

    Much is made of Peroduas not having telescopic steering. Reach adjustment is always good to have, but in the Ativa and now the Alza, I have no problems in finding a good driving position, unlike in the Axia/Bezza. Perhaps I am of median height, but one should always try a car out for size. I also like that the Alza’s seat goes low enough, and you don’t feel like you’re “sitting on the car” as you do in a Myvi G3.

    Many elements are from the Ativa. The sharp and customisable digital meter panel, the steering wheel (boss and bottom spoke design changed), the AC control panel with two memory positions, and the minor switches will be familiar to owners of the SUV, but the Alza AV’s head unit is an improved one.

    The 9.0-inch touchscreen (size unchanged) has a slimmer bezel, a full row of fixed buttons, prettier tiled home screen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a first for Perodua. With the latter, you can view and access navigation, music and messaging apps on the car’s screen – goodbye suction phone holders. Note that this new head unit is exclusive to the AV – the H uses the same one from the Ativa while the X has no touchscreen.

    Another little luxury is the EPB with auto brake hold. Brake hold, which can only be offered along with EPB, makes driving in jams physically so much easier. If genie gives me one Alza feature for the Ativa, it’ll be this.

    Sometimes, it’s amazing how a bit of colour can totally transform an interior. The X50 Flagship’s red dash top is an example, and check out this previous-gen HR-V’s wine red cabin. Of all the AV-exclusive items, the dual-tone cockpit might be easiest and cheapest to implement, but it makes a huge difference – compared to the H, the AV’s dashboard feels more special, more premium even.

    Of course, it’s just an illusion of premium. This is a RM75k MPV and hard plastics are only to be expected, but even so, Perodua went further than it needed to. Look closely and you’ll find that the texture of the dash top has a unique grain to it, a cross hatch pattern similar to Saffiano leather – zoom into the image below (the one with my wallet) to see what I mean.

    The AV’s brownish red trim lifts the overall ambience; dash top has a nice cross hatch grain

    It’s nice that the red/brown dash section “flows” into the door panels, and there’s even a diamond motif at the end of it. The AV’s standard part-leather seats sport the same brownish tone and its quilted centre section matches the diamond theme as well. Together, all these little touches uplift an otherwise conventional dash design. At night, the array of lights on the meter panel and a full complement of steering buttons (zero blanks!) gives off a fully-loaded, high-tech feel. This one isn’t an illusion.

    Nice as the cockpit is, there are a few question marks. I find that there’s no natural place to place my phone in the AV. The large void at the base of the centre stack in the X/H is sealed up in the range-topper, with slots either side of the transmission tunnel as replacements. But this is quite a stretch.

    To me at least, there’s ample space for a phone slot on the centre console, where the Veloz has its wireless charger, but P2 elected to place a card slot here. The AV’s centre bin is also quite small, but at least its armrest lid feels nicer than the Ativa’s “soft” material, which is sticky and not at all cushy. By the way, the X and H get a different centre console layout, one with a “valley” to house the manual handbrake.

    The Alza X/H gets a handbrake and a big cubby hole at the base of the centre stack

    Speaking of empty spaces, there’s more of it on the centre stack. It’s certainly tall enough for three storeys of controls, but only one level is fully occupied. The vast space under the AC panel houses just the push start button and seatbelt reminder, drowned in piano black trim. A lidded cubby would have neatly filled up the space and added functionality.

    The Alza’s rear view mirror has a somewhat compressed view that isn’t very natural, and the manual anti-glare tab didn’t work properly on our tester (wrong angle).

    A balanced drive

    REVIEW: 2022 Perodua Alza AV – the best family car below 100k in Malaysia, not just among 7-seater MPVs

    The new Alza is a thoroughly pleasant drive, and it achieves this niceness not by wowing in any particular department, but by being well-balanced. I can’t think of anything to complain about, really.

    We’ll start by addressing the most popular question – is it underpowered? Honestly, I don’t know why people are even asking this question, as Malaysians have been living with 1.5L naturally aspirated engines for such a long time. An NA engine of this size is the default for this class of MPV, as well as B-segment sedans and hatchbacks.

    But it’s big and heavy, right? At 1,170 kg, the 105 hp/138 Nm Alza is only 20 kg heavier than the top spec Vios, which uses the same Perodua-made Dual VVT-i NR engine. For extra context, the sporty Mazda 3 Hatchback, which also comes with a 1.5L NA engine, tips the scales at 1,368 kg, nearly 200 kg more.

    REVIEW: 2022 Perodua Alza AV – the best family car below 100k in Malaysia, not just among 7-seater MPVs

    In practice, the Alza accelerates fine with four adults and their luggage onboard. Perhaps not as deceptively swift as the Ativa, but perfectly adequate for a family MPV. Honestly, I’m not sure how it’ll fare climbing Genting seven up, but how many actual customers do that? And if you do, I bet your expectations will be adjusted accordingly, and you won’t be doing it with a stopwatch.

    The CVT transmits power efficiently and the Alza gets up to desired cruising speed with minimum fuss. Like in the Ativa, there’s manual mode with seven virtual ratios (omitted in the Myvi) but never did I feel the need to DIY, which points to an intuitive gearbox. D-CVT is the world’s first split gear CVT system and you can read more about it here.

    Also unnecessary for me personally are the drive modes, because Normal is perfectly balanced, as it should be. You’ll definitely feel the difference between modes – Eco makes the car feel sluggish, like it’s towing something, while Power holds the revs higher and for longer – you do get better response, but the engine becomes noisy and tetchy.

    REVIEW: 2022 Perodua Alza AV – the best family car below 100k in Malaysia, not just among 7-seater MPVs

    Which is what it’s not most of the time. The calm powertrain contributes greatly to the Alza good cruising performance. At the highway speed limit of 110 km/h, the engine is ticking at just below 2,000 rpm, and 90 km/h is done at just above 1,500 rpm. That’s a very low range – the Ativa does 110 km/h at around 2,500 rpm, never mind the old 4AT cars – and it benefits NVH and fuel economy.

    Powertrain aside, the Alza has good cruising manners. There are no abnormal wind issues even at speeds way beyond the national limit and rolling refinement is better than the G3 Myvi. We did encounter some rain and can confirm that the Myvi’s wheel-well water splashing noise is absent here. If we were to nitpick, there’s a very faint whine from the powertrain (possibly transmission) that is occasionally audible.

    For me, the biggest surprise in this pack of surprises is the Alza’s ride comfort. This could well be the best riding Perodua to date, with a stable primary ride at high speeds (sections of the LPT to Peninsular Malaysia’s northeast can be quite wavy, and the Alza coped with the dips well, with no ‘aftershocks’) and good bump absorption in the Klang Valley.

    Alza has a car-like 160 mm ground clearance; Mitsubishi Xpander rides 45 mm higher

    On our construction-scarred urban roads, the Alza rides better than the Ativa, which goes around with more jiggle and hop. As the Alza rides on P2’s own suspension tuning and ride height, it’s a job well done by our local guys and girls.

    The rest of the dynamic package is in tandem. The steering is light and easy (there’s no pretence of ‘sport’, which is good) while brake feel is miles better than in the old Alza, which unresponsive pedal (for much of the travel, before it suddenly bites) can be classified as dangerous. Elsewhere, the Alza has good grip and well-tamed body roll – you really do feel the benefit of that low GC in the bends. Toyo Proxes CR1 is a surprisingly sporty tyre choice for an MPV, too.

    All of the above are fused into an overall driving performance that’s well-balanced. The new Alza is a pleasing drive, not just for budget MPV standards, but also when compared with B-segment passenger cars in the price bracket.

    Matrix LED-style Adaptive Driving Beam is simply amazing; even all the rear lamps are LEDs

    Last but definitely not least for an affordable family car is fuel consumption. The recent media drive to Kota Bharu wasn’t very reflective of typical usage (we were a bit too fast), so I took the Alza AV out for a weekend of regular motoring.

    After 407 km of mixed town/highway driving, including significant idling time during our photoshoot, I returned the car with the trip reading 15 km/l. I reached a high of 15.3 km/l before the shoot, and reckon that 14-15 km/l should be where it’s at for my relatively light right foot. Coincidentally, 14-15 km/l is what I’m getting from my Ativa these days.

    That’s some way off the 22 km/l in what P2 calls the Malaysian Driving Cycle, which supposedly reflects local conditions (18.9 km/l in the more familiar NEDC), but claims are usually just that – claims. In any case, 15 km/l is a very decent return for mixed driving, and an outstation trip is sure to yield bigger numbers.

    The best family car below RM100k?

    REVIEW: 2022 Perodua Alza AV – the best family car below 100k in Malaysia, not just among 7-seater MPVs

    After experiencing the new Alza on a long trip as both driver and passenger, and using it in my weekend routine, I think it is.

    Compared to the other sub-RM100k three-row MPVs on sale in Malaysia, the Alza both a better product and a better drive, before even considering the Perodua’s price advantage. If you’ve noticed, there aren’t many comparisons with the original Alza in this review, and that’s because name aside, the D27A is worlds apart from its 13-year old predecessor in every aspect.

    For those shopping in the RM70k to RM100k range, the default options are B-segment sedans and hatchbacks from Toyota and Honda. The Vios, Yaris, City and City Hatchback were recently joined by national SUVs in the form of the Ativa and X50. All have their merits and are great options if you’re using them as personal cars. Even as a two-child household’s sole family car, they’ll do the job.

    However, none does that job as well as the Alza, which has space and versatility on its side. Its rear living quarters is the best here by some margin, and there’s the bonus of a third row for the extended family. Used purely as a spacious five-seater with a big boot, you’re not sacrificing anything in drivability and fuel efficiency versus the B-sedans/hatchbacks, as the Alza is low-slung and drives well.

    For me, the Alza’s only drawback is the “less cool” image of an MPV. It may be low and sporty for for its kind (of the four faces, I like Perodua’s design the best; even the GearUp kit looks good this time) but it’s still a people carrier at the end of the day, and that might be a deal breaker for some. If this is a non-issue for you, and you have two kids or more, you owe it to yourself to consider the Alza, even if an MPV wasn’t in your original family car shortlist.


    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV with GearUp bodykit, accessories

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – we compare it to the Mitsubishi Xpander, Honda BR-V over 100k km

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – we compare it to the Mitsubishi Xpander, Honda BR-V over 100k km

    Launched in July, the 2022 Perodua Alza comes with an entirely new powertrain compared to its predecessor. Under the bonnet, there’s a 2NR-VE 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 106 PS (105 hp) and 138 Nm of torque.

    The mill sends drive to the front wheels via a D-CVT gearbox, and this setup is also used by the current Myvi facelift. Perodua claims a fuel consumption of 22 km/l in the Malaysian Driving Cycle, or 18.9 km/l in the more familiar NEDC.

    In this post, we’re examining how much it’ll cost to maintain the seven-seat MPV over five years or 100,000 km, referring to the maintenance schedule that is readily available on Perodua’s website. We’ll also be comparing the Alza’s maintenance costs against other popular models in the segment, namely the Mitsubishi Xpander and Honda BR-V – both also feature 1.5 litre NA engines.

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – we compare it to the Mitsubishi Xpander, Honda BR-V over 100k km

    Before proceeding further, it should be noted the Alza is the most affordable model of the bunch, with prices ranging from RM62,500 to RM75,500 (OTR without insurance) across three variants. Meanwhile, the Xpander is only offered in a sole variant that retails at RM96,800, and the BR-V is offered in two variants priced between RM90,700 and RM97,700.

    Over five years or 100,000 km, the Alza is the cheapest to maintain as it’ll cost you RM3,160.86 following the recommended schedule. This is followed by the BR-V, which costs RM3,591.65 (inclusive of a 15% discount as stated in its maintenance schedule) to maintain over five years, while that for the Xpander is at RM4,598.16.

    One of the reasons the Xpander is more costly to maintain is the need to replace its fuel filter at 36 months/60,000 km, with the part alone priced at RM669.60. The BR-V also requires a fuel filter replacement, although this happens at 66 months/110,000 km and costs RM594.10. As for the Alza, there’s no mention of a fuel filter in its maintenance schedule.

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – we compare it to the Mitsubishi Xpander, Honda BR-V over 100k km

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance schedule; click to enlarge

    Another relatively big-ticket item is spark plugs, and both the Alza (RM220.40) and BR-V (RM380.80) get theirs changed at 60 months/100,000 km, but this only happens for the Xpander at 66 months/110,000 km for RM331.20 – all three MPVs use iridium-tipped spark plugs.

    In other aspects, the Mitsubishi MPV’s four-speed automatic transmission requires more frequent inspections (every year/20,000 km), and when it finally comes time to replace the AT fluid at 60 months/100,000 km, it’ll cost RM251.10, which is more than the RM97.50 required to change the fluid in the Alza’s D-CVT at the same mark. As for the BR-V, its CVT requires two fluid changes, each at a 24-month/40,000-km interval, with the total being not that far off from the Xpander.

    Still on the matter of lubricants, the Alza and Xpander use fully-synthetic engine oil, while the Honda’s default recommend engine oil for the BR-V is semi-synthetic; the cost of the optional fully-synthetic motor oil with the drain plug washer is RM130.80.

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – we compare it to the Mitsubishi Xpander, Honda BR-V over 100k km

    2022 Mitsubishi Xpander maintenance schedule; click to enlarge.

    The BR-V’s cabin filter and air filter (for the engine) do cost more when compared to the Alza and Xpander, although the Honda model does come with free labour for five services, which does help reduce the overall maintenance cost – the Alza’s first service is without labour charge.

    As always, there’s more to running costs beyond just visiting the service centre. For starters, there’s consumables like brakes and tyres (depends on wheel size). Both the Xpander and BR-V come with 16-inch alloys as standard, but the Alza gets both 15- and 16-inch units – the latter being for the base variant. The top-variant of the Alza also comes with rear disc brakes, while lesser variants as well as the Xpander and BR-V have drum brakes at the rear.

    Given all the models here are MPVs and have about the same engine capacity – within 1.5 litres – the road tax is the same for all three at RM90. However, motor insurance will differ depending on the provider and chosen riders (flood coverage, windscreen coverage amount, etc.).

    2022 Perodua Alza maintenance costs – we compare it to the Mitsubishi Xpander, Honda BR-V over 100k km

    2020 Honda BR-V maintenance schedule; click to enlarge

    It should also be mentioned that despite the differences in maintenance costs, when split across five years, you’ll be paying just RM86 more a year to service a BR-V, or RM287.46 more a year to service an Xpander, compared to the Alza.

    So, there you have it. The all-new Alza is a compelling buy as it’s not just affordable compared to other seven-seat MPVs, it’s also cheaper to maintain over five years/100,000 km. Thoughts?

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza vs Toyota Veloz – RM20k separates the co-developed MPVs, but what are the differences?

    2022 Perodua Alza vs Toyota Veloz – RM20k separates the co-developed MPVs, but what are the differences?

    By now, you’ve seen plenty of teasers of the Toyota Veloz, and we also showed you pics of the upcoming MPV uncovered on a transporter near Rawang, which is Perodua’s base. The Veloz is of course a sister car to the recently-launched Perodua Alza, and both are manufactured by Perodua in Sg Choh, north of the Klang Valley.

    The Alza has been merged with the Toyota Avanza/Veloz (Veloz is a more upmarket Avanza) and Daihatsu Xenia. All four versions of the seven-seater MPV sit on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, which means that the second-generation Alza moves away from being a JDM rebadge and the Avanza goes from rear-wheel drive to a more sophisticated front-wheel drive base.

    In Malaysia, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) will only be offering the Veloz (no Avanza) and the positioning of the single-spec MPV will be higher than the Alza, with extra equipment over the already-generous kit list of the Alza, and with a corresponding higher price, of course. The estimated Veloz price is RM95,000 on-the-road without insurance. That’s RM20k more than the top Alza AV.

    Front and rear – click to enlarge

    So, what are the visual and equipment differences between the two? It’s a longer list than what’s immediately apparent – let’s go through the points based on what we’ve seen so far, what UMWT has revealed to date, and also the Veloz specs in Indonesia and Thailand.

    The Veloz’s overall shape is similar to the Alza’s, and its rear end familiar, but the two have very different faces. While the Alza sports a wide, bowl-shaped grille and an ‘X’ theme, the Veloz features a downturned hexagonal grille. The grille inserts are also different – it’s ‘L’ for the Alza and ‘Y’ for the Veloz, which gets T-shaped chrome accents around the LED fog lamp surrounds.

    Speaking of LEDs, the LED headlamps are different and the Toyota gets LED daytime running lights (LED DRLs for the Alza come with the optional GearUp bodykit). The Veloz headlamps are bridged by a chrome strip that tops the grille – these continue on the sides of the bonnet to reach the windowline, and the chrome outline terminates at the rear screen. The Alza AV’s chrome strip starts from the A pillars.

    Side profile and stance – click to enlarge

    Perhaps more prominent than the face is the stance of the two models. Perodua opted for a low-slung MPV with a car-like ground clearance of 160 mm (150 mm for X, old Alza was 155 mm). In contrast, the Malaysian-spec Veloz GC is 190 mm, which is 30 mm higher and more typical of a Low MPV class of vehicle (Honda BR-V, Hyundai Stargazer, Mitsu Xpander, etc). The stance difference is immediately apparent. Note that 190 mm is lower than the Indonesian-spec Veloz’s 205 mm. If you want to compare, the Perodua Aruz/Toyota Rush has a GC of 220 mm and the Mitsubishi Xpander‘s GC is 205 mm.

    Which is better is down to preference. P2 touts easy entry/exit for children and the elderly (lower boot load lip is also an advantage), while Toyota says that you won’t need to “worry about damaging the undercarriage while going over rough terrain, speed bumps or pot holes” with their taller car. Which side are you on?

    Before you answer, get a good look at both cars in the metal. The Veloz wears 17-inch two-tone multi-spoke alloys, which are an inch larger than the Alza AV’s blade-style two-tone items, which look just about right with the lowered body. The Veloz comes in five colours – white, silver, red Metallic, “Bluish Black” and the signature blue you see in the ads. A black roof for a two-tone look is exclusive to the Toyota. We also see what appears to be roof rails.

    Black roof and roof rails are Veloz-only items

    Lastly, the outer tail lamps are shared, but only the Veloz sports a red line all the way to the central emblem, and it also has the model name spelled out between the T logo and the number plate recess. The Alza’s retro-style wordmark is at the edge of the hatch. The bumpers and reflector surrounds are different, and the Veloz’s silver centre section has a more “SUV look” with indents mimicking skid plates.

    Slightly chunkier bodywork at the bumpers and wheelarches means that the Veloz has a slightly bigger footprint (4,475 mm long, +50 mm over Alza; 1,750 mm wide, +20 mm over Alza), although you most likely won’t notice this, just the height difference.

    Inside, the main dashboard moulding is shared, but the Veloz gets its own central air con vent design. Above that is a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s different from the Alza’s, even if the 9.0″ size is similar. Toyota’s HU supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Alza tops out at wired Android Auto on the top AV.

    Dashboard and trim – click to enlarge

    While the digital meter panel and steering wheel are shared, each brand uses its own single-zone digital AC control panel. You’ll see that the Toyota’s panel has two round knobs and an automatic function – the Alza’s panel, which is from the Ativa, has no auto climate control, but there are two memory positions. The Veloz also adds on a Qi wireless phone charger behind the gear lever.

    The Alza AV has a rather unique two-tone dash with dark red as the contrast colour – this is light grey in the Veloz. The Toyota’s door cards are also different – note the chunky door pulls like what we see in the Ativa/Rocky/Raize; this is not present in the Alza. The Veloz also appears to have blue ambient lighting on the doors and centre stack.

    Also – and this can be a significant item for some – the Veloz is set to come with telescopic adjustment for its steering. The Alza’s wheel only adjusts for tilt. Expect the Toyota to have a keyless entry sensor on the passenger door handle. Perodua typically omits this – it’s touch once on the driver’s side to unlock it, touch twice to unlock all doors.

    Door cards and air con control panel – click to enlarge

    There should be some trim differences as well. We see that the leather seats on the Veloz have a different quilted pattern, and the chairs don’t have the red bits from the Alza AV, obviously. The top Alza’s seats are part-leather with some fabric sections – the Veloz’s chairs are fully covered in leather. There could also be additional soft-touch padding too – we’ll see.

    That’s all we have for now based on what has been revealed. Suspension aside, both DNGA-based sisters are similar under the skin, sharing the same Perodua-made 1.5L Dual VVT-i engine and D-CVT gearbox with manual mode. In the Alza, the Euro 4 2NR-VE makes 105 hp and 138 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm, which is 3 hp and 1 Nm more than in the Myvi (102 hp/137 Nm). Auto start-stop is standard.

    The Alza has selectable Drive Modes where the driver can choose between Normal, Eco and Power modes via a ‘DRIVE’ steering button on the right spoke. This should also be on the Veloz. P2 claims fuel consumption of 22 km/l in what it calls the Malaysian Driving Cycle, which supposedly reflects local conditions. It’s 18.9 km/l in the more familiar NEDC. Expect slightly higher FC on the heavier Veloz, which also rolls on bigger wheels.

    Veloz features and price list – click to enlarge

    Safety-wise, the Alza comes with Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 3.0, which includes Pre-collision Warning (PCW, vehicle 4-120 km/h, pedestrian 4-60 km/h), Pre-collision Braking (PCB or AEB, vehicle 4-120 km/h, pedestrian 4-60 km/h), Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control.

    There’s also Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Lane Keep Control and Adaptive Cruise Control. ACC now comes with what P2 calls a “Stop, Hold/Follow function”, commonly known as low speed follow or traffic jam assist. The Veloz should be getting the same safety package and six airbags, branded as Toyota Safety Sense.

    Compared to the other pair of Perodua-Toyota seven-seater twins – the Aruz and Rush – the differentiation here is greater in terms of equipment and body panels, inside and out. For those who have half a mind on converting the Alza into “a Toyota”, it will be much harder than the Ativa-Raize bumper job, although I don’t see much incentive given that there’s nothing JDM about this Toyota.

    So, all the above plus the Toyota brand for around RM20k more over the RM75,500 Alza – what’s your take? Also, brand aside, which of the two looks do you prefer?

    GALLERY: Toyota Veloz, Malaysia-spec

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza prices without SST revealed

    2022 Perodua Alza prices without SST revealed

    The 2022 Perodua Alza was officially launched on July 20, but with the order books having been opened for it on June 23, around 30,000 buyers look set to get the MPV with the sales tax exemption intact, following the government’s government that the SST exemption can to be applied to any new vehicle booked by June 30 and registered before March 31 next year.

    The Alza is available in three variant forms, and as announced during the launch, the price starts from RM62,500 for the 1.5L X, rising up to RM68,000 for the mid-spec 1.5L H and RM75,500 for the range-topping 1.5L AV, all on-the-road excluding insurance. These prices are of course with sales tax included.

    We now know exactly how much the SST exemption is for the Alza variants. In a note to dealers, which was sighted by this publication, the SST exemption amount for the Alza X is listed as RM790, while that for the H is RM920 and for the AV, it’s RM1,170.

    As such, buyers who made the booking for the MPV by June 30 will pay RM61,710 for the X, RM67,080 for the H and RM74,330 for the AV. While it doesn’t sound like much, any reduction in price is still something for many. The document states that the SST exemption will be given in the form of a “Penjana discount,” with the amount applied to the final OTR price as listed in the booking system.

    The circular also reiterates that the criteria outlined by the government must be met in order for the SST exemption to be applied. As detailed previously, booking and registration of the vehicle must be made by the same customer (as per name and IC number), tallying with the information that was submitted to the ministry of finance.

    Additionally, the registered model or variant must be the same as per the final booking as listed in the system by June 30. What this means is that if your personal details aren’t listed accurately, or should you decide you want a different variant, you won’t get the SST exemption. Also, if you can’t get a loan approved for the purchase, you can’t switch names to try another avenue, which means you don’t get the SST exemption.

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza X, H and AV variant breakdown – a video guide on which of the MPV’s 3 grades to buy

    2022 Perodua Alza X, H and AV variant breakdown – a video guide on which of the MPV’s 3 grades to buy

    The all-new Perodua Alza is now in showrooms, priced from RM62,500 to RM75,500. We’ve already showed you a full video detailing all the new features and improvements, so now we’re going to breakdown the three different variants of the second-generation MPV, the base X, the mid H and the top AV.

    Assuming you’ve already decided on getting the new Alza, then the next big choice is which variant do you go for? Should you save some money and just get the cheapest Alza X for RM62,500, or is the Alza H the best middle ground at RM68,000? Then there’s the Alza AV at RM75,500 – is it worth it paying that much for a Perodua? In the video below, we’ll map out exactly what you get with each variant to help you decide which one is best for you.

    Let’s start with the Alza X, the most affordable one. The standard equipment list for the X is actually quite short, but you do get a lot of metal for your money as the second-generation Alza is a fair bit bigger than before. It’s over 200 mm longer, in fact.

    Equipment wise, the X gets full LED headlights with automatic high beam. But you will have to turn it on/off yourself as it doesn’t get automatic headlights, and the levelling function is manual as well. The light reflectors are also different, with the X having four separations and the higher spec headlamps having seven segments.

    The top line of the headlamps are also plain chrome on the X, with no “eyebrow lights” like on the other variants. Below, you also lose out on the fog lamps, and while the front corner parking sensor eyelets are present here, they’re just dummies. Thankfully, the grille is exactly the same as the H, with the top two bars painted silver and the grille itself in plain black plastic.

    Moving on to the side, the most obvious sign that you’ve bought the base Alza are the wheels. The X gets plain silver 15-inch alloys, fitted with Hankook Kinergy Eco2 tyres. The spare tyre under the car is full sized, but you get a steel wheel in the X instead of matching alloys.

    Another area that screams budget is the body-coloured B-pillars without the black stickers, which are apparent on lighter colours. The side mirrors, meanwhile, are electrically adjustable, but retracting them is a manual affair. At least, the integrated LED turn signals are similar to what the others get.

    One thing to note about the colour options – the Alza is available in five colours: Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Elegant Black, Garnet Red and Vintage Brown. However, red and brown are not available for the X, so do keep that in mind when choosing between variants.

    At the back, the X gets full LED tail lamps, matching the more expensive variants. But here, the centre garnish that connects the lights are in plain silver instead of black and chrome in the H/AV. Look closely and you’ll notice that the rear window demister is missing too, but I guess the rear wiper should be enough for most situations. Another odd omission is the lack of proper keyless entry. To unlock, you’ll have to press a button on the key fob like you’re in 2010. But once inside, there’s a keyless push button to start the engine.

    There are more differences inside. The cabin is practically all-black, with only the lower steering wheel spokes in silver. There’s not a single button on the steering wheel either, and of course, the rim is in plain poly-urethane. The meter panel is in a traditional two-dial analogue design with a small monochrome MID screen in the centre.

    The X head unit is a basic radio with buttons, but you do get Bluetooth connection and a USB port for music, which plays through four speakers. A unique feature is the inclusion of Touch n Go RFID as standard, which replaces the built-in SmartTag in the Myvi.

    The rest of the interior is the same as the H, with black fabric seat covers with a diamond pattern. There’s a manual handbrake with a front centre armrest, plus digital air-con controls with memory settings and rear seat-belt indicators. In the back, you get roof-mounted AC vents with blower controls as standard, as well second-row seats that can slide and recline. The one-touch tumble provides easy access to the third-row seats.

    2022 Perodua Alza X, H and AV variant breakdown – a video guide on which of the MPV’s 3 grades to buy

    The one area that has not been compromised at all, even for this basic spec, is safety. The Alza X gets six airbags as standard, along with electronic stability control, two sets of Isofix child seat anchors as well as Perodua’s Advance Safety Assist (ASA) 3.0. Among others, this suite includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane departure warning/prevention.

    Other brands still have the bad habit of reserving active safety features for their most expensive variants, so this is a very commendable move by Perodua.

    Still, I think you would want to spend the extra RM5,500 to get the mid-spec Alza H, because at RM68,000, I think it offers better value overall.

    On the outside, the H definitely looks like the more expensive model, especially with the much nicer and larger 16-inch wheels with a dual-tone finish. The tyres are better quality too (Toyo Proxes CR1), and the even spare tyre is upgraded to the same 16-inch alloy wheel and tyre combo.

    At the front, the headlamps are self-levelling Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) units. Besides looking nicer, ADB has better functionalities – it’s an automatic unit (turns itself on when dark), and the adaptive function can keep the high beams on even with oncoming traffic, without blinding them. The top “eyebrows” look good too, and they also double up as sequential turn signals. Very nice.

    Further down, the Alza H gets LED foglamps and working front corner sensors. Moving on, the B-pillars are all finished in black, and the side mirrors can now be folded at a push of a button. Round the back, the Alza H looks exactly the same as the AV, with the black and chrome centre garnish. The rear demister is back too, as is a proper keyless entry system with an electrostatic sensor on the driver’s door handle.

    2022 Perodua Alza X, H and AV variant breakdown – a video guide on which of the MPV’s 3 grades to buy

    Inside, the Alza H is brighter than the full-black X. There’s extra silver trim on the steering wheel, the centre panel and front door cards. The inner door pulls are finished in chrome too. Also, the steering wheel now has buttons to control the audio system, as well as the upgraded 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster ahead.

    There’s also a ‘DRIVE’ button to switch between Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes. The steering wheel itself is now wrapped in leather, and the gear lever sports a silver trim. The frame surrounding the centre console is also finished in gloss black now.

    The Alza H gets a 9.0-inch touchscreen head unit, with the same tiled interface as the Ativa. Unlike on the SUV though, the screen has USB and HDMI ports on the side, and audio runs through six speakers now, including two tweeters. The screen also displays the reverse camera. The rest of the interior is the same as the X, including the fabric upholstery. One difference is the addition of a second-row centre armrest.

    Now, on to the top-of-the-range Alza AV, the one you see in all of Perodua’s marketing materials. This goes for RM75,500, which is RM7,500 more than the H. The range-topper is a little harder to justify, but if your budget can stretch to this, I think you should at least consider the upgrade.

    Differences on the outside are quite small, but they are noticeable. The front grille is unique; the AV getting the top bar painted black and the lower trim finished in chrome instead of all-silver. The black frame is also finished in gloss black now, which is much nicer than unpainted plastic in the X/H. You’ll also see a small camera within the grille – that’s part of the 360-degree parking camera system exclusive to the AV.

    Also specific to the AV is the chrome window line that stretches all the way back to the D-pillars. Once you’ve noticed this, the plain black bars on the cheaper variants will look unfinished.

    Look closely and you’ll also spot the side skirts fitted on the AV, which give the low-slung MPV slightly sportier looks. Another addition are the rear disc brakes over the drum brakes on the H and X. The rear discs are linked to the new electronic parking brake, which replaces the manual handbrake. You also get auto brake hold, which is great for traffic light stops.

    Inside, the first thing you’ll notice is the dual-tone dashboard. The lower half of the dash is finished in a dark red, almost brown colour, and it even extends into the door cards. The red tone is also used on the part leather, part fabric seat upholstery. This is done is a far more subtle manner compared to the Myvi AV’s seats, which are more red than black.

    In the Alza AV, the centre console is also different. The move from handbrake to EPB allows the use of a higher, more premium-looking centre console, which is finished in gloss black instead of the fake carbon-fibre in the cheaper versions. The higher console also houses a deeper bin under the centre armrest, while the lid itself lined in leather and softer to the touch.

    2022 Perodua Alza X, H and AV variant breakdown – a video guide on which of the MPV’s 3 grades to buy

    Another difference between the AV and X/H dashboards is the lack of a storage hole in front of the gear lever in the AV, replaced by slim cubby slots on the sides. The left slot has a USB charging port to replace the one in the covered hole.

    At the top, the centre air-con vents now have chrome surrounds, while the head unit is different again. The 9.0-inch screen size is the same as the H, but the system itself is completely new. The interface is sleeker, and more importantly, it also supports Android Auto. Apple CarPlay is not available for now, but it may be added on later as an update. Also fitted to the AV is a front dash cam as well as solar/security window tinting from Llumar.

    Back to the steering wheel. The AV adds on additional buttons compared to the H, as it is equipped with an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system on top of ASA 3.0. Also fitted is Lane Keep Control, and both work together for full Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. The ACC also has a low-speed follow system, which is a form of traffic jam assist. This is a first for Perodua.

    That’s not all. The AV bundle also includes blind spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert for a complete active safety package.

    Lastly, the optional GearUp accessories. You can add on the Prime bodykit package for an extra RM2,500, and this includes the front and rear bodykit, as well as a larger rear spoiler. The front bumper extension also adds LED DRLs into the mix. One thing to note though, as both the Alza X and H do not get side skirts as standard, the Prime bodykit might look a little awkward on those variants.

    Inside, there’s a full leather seat cover package for RM1,000 that actually looks pretty good, and there are extra pockets on the front seatbacks too. Other GearUp accessories include window visors, LED scuff plates, coil mats, luggage tray and so on, but be warned, these options are not cheap, and they do add up really quickly. My advise is spend your budget on getting the best variant you can afford, before even looking into the GearUp catalogue.

    No matter which variant you choose, the new Alza is powered by a 1.5 litre Dual VVT-i naturally-aspirated engine making 106 PS and 138 Nm of torque, paired to the D-CVT gearbox found in the Ativa and Myvi. Perodua claims that the MPV can achieve up to 22 km/l fuel economy in the Malaysian Driving Cycle, which supposedly reflects local conditions. It’s 18.9 km/l in the more familiar NEDC.

    With the 40% better fuel efficiency, Perodua claims that an Alza needs less than RM40 of RON 95 petrol to travel from KL to Penang (358 km), based on the current RM2.05 per litre.

    So, that’s our full breakdown of the 2022 Perodua Alza’s three variants, and I hope it can help you decide on which one to buy. Also check out our full launch report and walk-around video for all you need to know about the new Alza. What do you think of the new MPV, its equipment and value?

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5X – RM62,500
    Gets as standard:

    Mechanicals

    • 1.5L Dual VVT-i engine (2NR-VE) with Eco Idle
    • 1,496 cc, four-cylinder petrol
    • 105 hp at 6,000 rpm, 138 Nm at 4,200 rpm
    • 22 km/l fuel consumption in Malaysian Driving Cycle (18.9 km/l NEDC)
    • D-CVT automatic transmission with manual mode
    • 43-litre fuel tank
    • Electric power steering (EPS)
    • 5.0-metre turning radius
    • Manual handbrake
    • Ventilated brakes discs (front), drum brakes (rear)
    • 4,425 mm long, 1,730 mm wide, 1,660 mm tall (1,670 for X, AV), 2,750 mm wheelbase
    • 150 mm ground clearance (160 mm for X, AV)
    • Five-year/150,000 km warranty

    Exterior

    • LED headlights with follow-me home, leaving home function
    • Manual headlight levelling
    • Black power-adjustable door mirrors with manual fold
    • LED side mirror turn signals
    • LED tail lamps with light guides
    • 15-inch alloys with 185/65 Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 tyres
    • Silver-painted front grille
    • RFID

    Interior

    • Push start button
    • Speed sensitive auto door lock
    • Fabric seats
    • 60:40 split folding middle row seats, one-touch and slidable mechanism
    • 50:50 split folding third row seats
    • Front arm rest
    • Steering with tilt adjustment
    • Height-adjustable driver’s seat
    • Power windows, auto up/down for driver only
    • Front digital air con controls with memory
    • Rear manual air con controls with vents
    • Analogue meter panel with 4.2-inch LCD multi-info display
    • Non-touchscreen standard head unit
    • Four speakers
    • 137 litre boot (expandable to 498L with third row seats down)
    • Urethane steering wheel

    Safety

    • Six airbags
    • ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist, VSC, traction control
    • Emergency stop signal
    • Rear parking sensors
    • Advanced Safety Assist (ASA)
    • Pre-collision Warning
    • Pre-collision Braking (AEB, for vehicles and pedestrians)
    • Pedal Misoperation Control
    • Front Departure Alert
    • Lane Departure Warning
    • Lane Departure Prevention
    • Auto High Beam

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5H – RM68,000
    Adds on:

    Mechanicals

    • Drive modes (Eco, Normal, Power)

    Exterior

    • Keyless entry with electrostatic touch sensor
    • Auto retractable door mirrors
    • Auto headlamps
    • LED fog lamps
    • 16-inch two-tone alloys with 195/60 Toyo Proxes CR1 tyres
    • Blacked out B-pillars
    • Chrome bar and trim on front grille
    • Rear demister

    Interior

    • 7.0 inch TFT digital instrument panel
    • 9.0 inch touchscreen head unit
    • Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel
    • Tweeters, six speakers in total
    • Second row centre arm rest

    Safety

    • Reverse camera
    • Front parking sensors
    • Adaptive Driving Beam headlamps with sequential turn signals

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5AV – RM75,500
    Adds on:

    Mechanicals

    • Electronic parking brake with auto brake hold
    • Rear disc brakes

    Exterior

    • Chrome bar and gloss black trim on front grille
    • Chrome window line
    • Side skirts

    Interior

    • Semi-leather two-tone seats
    • Two-tone dashboard, front door cards
    • Soft pad centre front armrest
    • 9.0 inch touchscreen head unit with new UI, wired Android Auto

    Safety

    • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Hold/Follow function
    • Lane Keep Control
    • Blind Spot Monitor
    • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
    • 360-degree panoramic view monitor
    • Front dashcam
    • Security and solar window tint

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza H

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza X

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV with GearUp accessories

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza official brochure

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza MPV walk-around video, fr. RM62.5k

    2022 Perodua Alza MPV walk-around video, fr. RM62.5k

    Did you realise that the Alza is only the second car from Perodua to retain its name after the Myvi? The Kancil became the Viva, and now we have the Axia. They also didn’t use ‘Kembara’ for the Ativa. But the second-generation Alza wears its name proudly in a font style that we rarely see on cars – it’s a bit like guitar brand Fender‘s logo.

    We point out all of that and more in this walk-around video of the all-new Alza, which was officially launched two days ago. Now a sister car of the Toyota Avanza/Veloz and Daihatsu Xenia, the D27A replaces the JDM-based original Alza that surfaced way back in 2009. That’s 13 years, two facelifts and nearly 400,000 units ago.

    Needless to say then that the new DNGA-based Alza is miles ahead of the old car in every aspect – size, safety and equipment. At 4,425 mm long and 1,730 mm wide, its footprint is 205 mm longer and 35 mm wider, even if the 2,750 mm wheelbase is unchanged. Perodua chose to make the Alza a low-slung car-like MPV – at 160 mm (150 mm for the X) the ground clearance is 60 mm lower than a Mitsubishi Xpander‘s. The Toyota Veloz sits 45 mm higher from the ground.

    The old Alza was barely there as a three-row MPV and had only 83 litres of boot space with all seats erect. Now, it’s 137 litres (+54L). With the third row bench folded (50:50), cargo space is now 498 litres, a 150L improvement.

    There are a couple of Perodua firsts when it comes to equipment. The AV comes with an electronic parking brake (EPB) with auto brake hold. The EPB package comes with rear disc brakes. Also exclusive to the AV is the 360-degree panoramic view monitor. New to the Alza but expected for a three-row MPV of today is rear air-conditioning.

    In the safety department, Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) and six airbags are standard across the board, and the AV goes semi-autonomous with the addition of Lane Keep Control (LKC) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). The latter has been updated with a “Stop, Hold/Follow function”, commonly known as low speed follow or traffic jam assist. The AV also comes with Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

    2022 Perodua Alza MPV walk-around video, fr. RM62.5k

    The base X comes with LED headlamps and Auto High Beam (AHB), along with Leaving Home and Follow Me Home functions. All the lights at the rear are LEDs, including turn signals and reverse lamps. The H and AV come with Adaptive Driving Beam, a Matrix LED-style, Lexus-level headlamp. ADB is packaged with sequential turn signals.

    The Alza is powered by a combination first seen in the Myvi facelift. Out goes the previous-generation 3SZ-VE 1.5L and in comes the 1.5L NR engine that we’re familiar with from Peroduas and Toyotas. The 2NR-VE makes 105 hp and 138 Nm of torque, and is mated to the D-CVT seen in the Ativa and Myvi. Fuel consumption is rated at 22 km/l in what P2 calls the Malaysian Driving Cycle, which supposedly reflects local conditions – a 40% improvement.

    The new Alza starts from RM62,500 for the X, rising up to RM68,000 for the mid-spec H. The range-topping AV is yours for RM75,500, on-the-road without insurance, with sales tax. Check out the walk-around video above as well as our full launch report for more details.

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5X – RM62,500
    Gets as standard:

    Mechanicals

    • 1.5L Dual VVT-i engine (2NR-VE) with Eco Idle
    • 1,496 cc, four-cylinder petrol
    • 105 hp at 6,000 rpm, 138 Nm at 4,200 rpm
    • 22 km/l fuel consumption in Malaysian Driving Cycle (18.9 km/l NEDC)
    • D-CVT automatic transmission with manual mode
    • 43-litre fuel tank
    • Electric power steering (EPS)
    • 5.0-metre turning radius
    • Manual handbrake
    • Ventilated brakes discs (front), drum brakes (rear)
    • 4,425 mm long, 1,730 mm wide, 1,660 mm tall (1,670 for X, AV), 2,750 mm wheelbase
    • 150 mm ground clearance (160 mm for X, AV)
    • Five-year/150,000 km warranty

    Exterior

    • LED headlights with follow-me home, leaving home function
    • Manual headlight levelling
    • Black power-adjustable door mirrors with manual fold
    • LED side mirror turn signals
    • LED tail lamps with light guides
    • 15-inch alloys with 185/65 Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 tyres
    • Silver-painted front grille
    • RFID

    Interior

    • Push start button
    • Speed sensitive auto door lock
    • Fabric seats
    • 60:40 split folding middle row seats, one-touch and slidable mechanism
    • 50:50 split folding third row seats
    • Front arm rest
    • Steering with tilt adjustment
    • Height-adjustable driver’s seat
    • Power windows, auto up/down for driver only
    • Front digital air con controls with memory
    • Rear manual air con controls with vents
    • Analogue meter panel with 4.2-inch LCD multi-info display
    • Non-touchscreen standard head unit
    • Four speakers
    • 137 litre boot (expandable to 498L with third row seats down)
    • Urethane steering wheel

    Safety

    • Six airbags
    • ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist, VSC, traction control
    • Emergency stop signal
    • Rear parking sensors
    • Advanced Safety Assist (ASA)
    • Pre-collision Warning
    • Pre-collision Braking (AEB, for vehicles and pedestrians)
    • Pedal Misoperation Control
    • Front Departure Alert
    • Lane Departure Warning
    • Lane Departure Prevention
    • Auto High Beam

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5H – RM68,000
    Adds on:

    Mechanicals

    • Drive modes (Eco, Normal, Power)

    Exterior

    • Keyless entry with electrostatic touch sensor
    • Auto retractable door mirrors
    • Auto headlamps
    • LED fog lamps
    • 16-inch two-tone alloys with 195/60 Toyo Proxes CR1 tyres
    • Blacked out B-pillars
    • Chrome bar and trim on front grille
    • Rear demister

    Interior

    • 7.0 inch TFT digital instrument panel
    • 9.0 inch touchscreen head unit
    • Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel
    • Tweeters, six speakers in total
    • Second row centre arm rest

    Safety

    • Reverse camera
    • Front parking sensors
    • Adaptive Driving Beam headlamps with sequential turn signals

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5AV – RM75,500
    Adds on:

    Mechanicals

    • Electronic parking brake with auto brake hold
    • Rear disc brakes

    Exterior

    • Chrome bar and gloss black trim on front grille
    • Chrome window line
    • Side skirts

    Interior

    • Semi-leather two-tone seats
    • Two-tone dashboard, front door cards
    • Soft pad centre front armrest
    • 9.0 inch touchscreen head unit with new UI, wired Android Auto

    Safety

    • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Hold/Follow function
    • Lane Keep Control
    • Blind Spot Monitor
    • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
    • 360-degree panoramic view monitor
    • Front dashcam
    • Security and solar window tint

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza H

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza X

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV with GearUp accessories

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza official brochure

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza scores 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating

    2022 Perodua Alza scores 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating

    The New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) has given the newly launched 2022 Perodua Alza a five-star safety rating with an overall score of 81.64 points.

    The all-new, seven-seat MPV is the fourth model to be assessed under the current 2021-2025 protocol that is comprised of four categories, namely adult occupant protection (AOP), child occupant protection (COP), safety assist (SA) and motorcyclist safety (MS). It’s also Perodua’s second model to be subjected to the more comprehensive testing cycle after the Ativa.

    According to ASEAN NCAP’s report, the Alza variant tested was the base X, which is one of three available, with the other two being the mid-spec H and range-topping AV. All three variants come standard with six airbags, VSC, traction control, ABS, EBD, brake assist, a seatbelt reminder system, auto high beam, lane departure warning and prevention as well as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Only the AV gains a blind spot monitor and additional assist systems.

    In the AOP category, the Alza managed score 28.96 out of 32 points, while it was 43.04 out of 51 points in COP. Meanwhile, the MS category saw the MPV register eight out 16 points, and in the SA category, it was 19.50 out of 21 points. With weighting adjustments, the final overall score was high enough for a five-star rating.

    “The new Perodua Alza is Perodua’s second model assessed under the ASEAN NCAP protocol for 2021-2025. Despite ASEAN NCAP’s latest requirements for safety in its current protocol, Perodua has indeed rose to the occasion by installing several key safety assist technologies as standard fitment in all its variants. As such we are proud that Malaysian’s local manufacturers have been progressive in vehicle safety by adhering to ASEAN NCAP’s strict requirements,” said MIROS director-general Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim.

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza GearUp accessories in detail – Prime bodykit at RM2,500, leather seat covers RM1,000

    2022 Perodua Alza GearUp accessories in detail – Prime bodykit at RM2,500, leather seat covers RM1,000

    With the launch of the all-new, second-generation 2022 Perodua Alza and its several variants comes the GearUp accessories package for the new model, offering customers added scope for customising their new seven-seater family car purchase.

    As is the way for a new Perodua model, the GearUp range of accessories for the just-launched Alza encompasses equipment for the exterior bodywork, interior trim, comfort-enhancing accessories as well as utility items that further improve the convenience factor of the Alza. There are safety and security accessories available, too.

    Starting with the Prime body kit priced at RM2,500, this consists of a front and rear bumper kit as well as a rear spoiler, and is available in five colours – Vintage Brown, Elegant Black, Garnet Red, Glittering Silver and Ivory White, and the body kit can be specified for all three variants which are the AV, H and X.

    Moving inside, the interior of the Alza can also be treated to a set of Prime seat covers for all three rows, and which come in a red and black two-tone colour scheme. These are made of easy-to-clean PVC, and offer added storage space courtesy of pockets on the covers for the front seats. Also available for all three variants, the seat covers are specific to the AV, H and X, and have their own part numbers for each. The set of seat covers are priced at RM1,000.

    There’s more. The GearUp kit for the all-new Alza also includes illuminated scuff plates for the front and rear door sills (RM300), floor lighting for the first and second rows (RM250), coil mats (RM200), door visors (RM160), and under-bonnet insulation (RM80). There is also vibratile insulation (RM285) that can be fitted behind the door trim for improved insulation and therefore comfort.

    For added utility, there’s the luggage tray (RM80), luggage mat (RM75) which goes over the second and third rows of seats, and a luggage organiser (RM37). A selection of these are available as part of a Utility Package, which consists of the luggage tray, door visors and coil mats, which are packaged together and priced at RM390.

    Perodua GearUp accessories catalogue for the 2022 Alza. Click to enlarge

    Mobile electronic devices are now part and parcel of our daily lives, which means some will inevitably require charging while one is on the move. Here, the GearUp catalogue also has the accessories extension wire harness (RM75) that is safer than using the wire-tap method and will not void the vehicle’s warranty.

    This is a prerequisite for first-time buyers of Perodua electrical accessories, such as the digital video recorder (dashcam) at RM500. Other products in the safety equipment range include wheel lock nuts (RM200), tyre pressure monitor(RM430), and the Perodua Care ISOFIX child seat (RM680), for children aged 0-12 years old up to 36 kg and features a 360-degree rotation capability.

    The comprehensive accessories list also includes items such as a 300-amp booster cable, fire extinguisher, dashboard anti-slip mat, first aid kit, multipurpose container and a leather tissue box cover. There is also the blind spot mirror, sun visor organiser, magnetic phone holder (which mounts to the air-conditioning vents), magnetic shopping bag hooks, smart tracker, door edge protectors, magnetic trap for the engine oil filter, as well as cleaning products for fuel injectors, throttle body and air-conditioning evaporator.

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV with GearUp accessories

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza GearUp catalogue

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza – should you buy the X, H or AV?

    2022 Perodua Alza – should you buy the X, H or AV?

    The 2022 Perodua Alza has made its launch debut in Malaysia today and is offered in three variants, starting with the base X that retails at RM62,500, followed by the mid-spec H at RM68,000 and the range-topping AV at RM75,500. These prices are on-the-road figures without insurance, but with sales and service tax (SST) factored in.

    In its second generation, Perodua’s latest seven-seat MPV is built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) which is also used by its sister models – the Daihatsu Xenia, Toyota Avanza and Veloz – as well as Perodua’s other, smaller SUV, the Ativa.

    Measuring 4,425 mm long and 1,730 mm wide, the all-new Alza is 205 mm longer and 35 mm wider than its predecessor, although the wheelbase is unchanged at 2,750 mm. It’s a taller vehicle too, with a height of 1,670 mm for the H and AV (the X is 1,660 mm tall), which is 50 mm more than before.

    All three variants are powered by a 2NR-VE 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that you’ll also find in the latest Myvi, albeit with slightly more grunt as it serves up 106 PS (105 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm at 4,200 rpm. The DOHC Dual VVT-i mill is paired with a D-CVT that sends drive to the front wheels.

    With the basic specifications laid out, let’s turn our attention to equipment. As usual, we’ve prepared a spec-by-spec comparison in point form so you, the car buyer, can find out exactly what you’re getting with each variant. The Alza comes in five colours – Vintage Brown, Garnet Red, Elegant Black, Glittering Silver and Ivory White (solid) – with the first two being exclusive to the H and AV. Let us know in the comments below which variant you think is worth your money as well as the best colour for the Alza.

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5X – RM62,500
    Gets as standard:

    Mechanicals

    • 1.5L Dual VVT-i engine (2NR-VE) with Eco Idle
    • 1,496 cc, four-cylinder petrol
    • 105 hp at 6,000 rpm, 138 Nm at 4,200 rpm
    • 22 km/l fuel consumption in Malaysian Driving Cycle (18.9 km/l NEDC)
    • D-CVT automatic transmission with manual mode
    • 43-litre fuel tank
    • Electric power steering (EPS)
    • 5.0-metre turning radius
    • Manual handbrake
    • Ventilated brakes discs (front), drum brakes (rear)
    • 4,425 mm long, 1,730 mm wide, 1,660 mm tall (1,670 for X, AV), 2,750 mm wheelbase
    • 150 mm ground clearance (160 mm for X, AV)
    • Five-year/150,000 km warranty

    Exterior

    • LED headlights with follow-me home, leaving home function
    • Manual headlight levelling
    • Black power-adjustable door mirrors with manual fold
    • LED side mirror turn signals
    • LED tail lamps with light guides
    • 15-inch alloys with 185/65 Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 tyres
    • Silver-painted front grille
    • RFID

    Interior

    • Push start button
    • Speed sensitive auto door lock
    • Fabric seats
    • 60:40 split folding middle row seats, one-touch and slidable mechanism
    • 50:50 split folding third row seats
    • Front arm rest
    • Steering with tilt adjustment
    • Height-adjustable driver’s seat
    • Power windows, auto up/down for driver only
    • Front digital air con controls with memory
    • Rear manual air con controls with vents
    • Analogue meter panel with 4.2-inch LCD multi-info display
    • Non-touchscreen standard head unit
    • Four speakers
    • 137 litre boot (expandable to 498L with third row seats down)
    • Urethane steering wheel

    Safety

    • Six airbags
    • ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist, VSC, traction control
    • Emergency stop signal
    • Rear parking sensors
    • Advanced Safety Assist (ASA)
    • Pre-collision Warning
    • Pre-collision Braking (AEB, for vehicles and pedestrians)
    • Pedal Misoperation Control
    • Front Departure Alert
    • Lane Departure Warning
    • Lane Departure Prevention
    • Auto High Beam

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5H – RM68,000
    Adds on:

    Mechanicals

    • Drive modes (Eco, Normal, Power)

    Exterior

    • Keyless entry with electrostatic touch sensor
    • Auto retractable door mirrors
    • Auto headlamps
    • LED fog lamps
    • 16-inch two-tone alloys with 195/60 Toyo Proxes CR1 tyres
    • Blacked out B-pillars
    • Chrome bar and trim on front grille
    • Rear demister

    Interior

    • 7.0 inch TFT digital instrument panel
    • 9.0 inch touchscreen head unit
    • Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel
    • Tweeters, six speakers in total
    • Second row centre arm rest

    Safety

    • Reverse camera
    • Front parking sensors
    • Adaptive Driving Beam headlamps with sequential turn signals

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5AV – RM75,500
    Adds on:

    Mechanicals

    • Electronic parking brake with auto brake hold
    • Rear disc brakes

    Exterior

    • Chrome bar and gloss black trim on front grille
    • Chrome window line
    • Side skirts

    Interior

    • Semi-leather two-tone seats
    • Two-tone dashboard, front door cards
    • Soft pad centre front armrest
    • 9.0 inch touchscreen head unit with new UI, wired Android Auto

    Safety

    • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Hold/Follow function
    • Lane Keep Control
    • Blind Spot Monitor
    • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
    • 360-degree panoramic view monitor
    • Front dashcam
    • Security and solar window tint


    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza H

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza X

     
     
  • 2022 Perodua Alza launched – 2nd-gen 7-seat MPV, Android Auto, RFID, ASA standard, from RM62,500

    2022 Perodua Alza launched – 2nd-gen 7-seat MPV, Android Auto, RFID, ASA standard, from RM62,500

    Finally, the 2022 Perodua Alza has been officially launched in Malaysia. The drapes were pulled back by prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob this morning at the KL Convention Centre. The launch was also attended by Daihatsu president Soichiro Okudaira. Three variants of the seven-seater MPV are offered – X, H and AV – and all are powered by the Myvi facelift‘s 1.5L Dual VVT-i engine and D-CVT automatic gearbox.

    First things first, the price. The new Alza starts from RM62,500 for the X, rising up to RM68,000 for the mid-spec H. The range-topping AV is yours for RM75,500, on-the-road without insurance, with sales tax. These final prices are slightly higher than the SST-exempted tentative figures released earlier, which were RM62,000, RM68,000 and RM75,000.

    Of course, these prices are higher than those of the old Alza, which was from RM52,661 to RM60,525, if you discount the sub-RM50k manual version. But as you’ll see, the D27A Alza is a big upgrade from its JDM-based predecessor in every department. By the way, P2 sold almost 400,000 units of the original Alza since its launch in November 2009. That’s 13 years and two facelifts (2014 and 2018) ago!

    Non-identical twins

    As you would have heard by now, the Alza has been merged with the new Toyota Avanza/Veloz and Daihatsu Xenia, which are top-sellers in Indonesia. This makes sense for all parties concerned – bigger volume of shared parts, lowered costs, more parties to share development costs with – and let’s not forget that Perodua, Astra Daihatsu Motor in Indonesia and Daihatsu in Japan are all under the same giant T-branded umbrella. This move means that the Avanza/Xenia is now a monocoque front-wheel drive MPV.

    This is just a rebadge then? Not exactly, because that implies that P2 took someone else’s product and slapped its badge and bumper on it. Like the Perodua Ativa, Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize project, the D27A is a joint development project that started back in April 2018, and P2/Malaysia had plenty of influence in the outcome, more so than in the Ativa project as this is an ASEAN car.

    The Alza being part of an ASEAN project is a good thing, as the final result is a car that’s specifically tailored to our needs, down to the tiniest detail. Car guys like JDM, but generally, the preferences of car users in our part of Asia differ greatly from Japanese design and requirements.

    2022 Perodua Alza launched – 2nd-gen 7-seat MPV, Android Auto, RFID, ASA standard, from RM62,500

    On to the design differences between the Alza and the Veloz, which by the way, is the more premium version of the Avanza. As you’d expect, the Alza’s front grille and bumper is completely unique, giving it a distinct face. The rear bumpers and wheels are also different, and so are the headlamps and rear lights (no full-width LED bar here). The Alza’s lights are more similar in style to the Avanza/Xenia, but only the Veloz will be sold in Malaysia so there’s a fair bit of differentiation.

    The biggest difference that’s immediately apparent is ground clearance. We’re not talking about 10-15 mm here, but a whopping 45 mm. Perodua wanted to make the Alza car-like and low (they already have the high-riding Aruz), and its ground clearance is 160 mm (150 mm for the base X), just like a Myvi. The Veloz’s GC is 205 mm, which is typical of Indonesian Low MPVs (Mitsubishi Xpander and Honda BR-V are in the ballpark).

    The visual difference is major, and even if you forget the Veloz, the Alza on its own is low and rather sporty. Easy access for children and the elderly is one benefit of the low step. A lower centre of gravity is of course good for dynamics – Perodua has also gone for a sportier/firmer suspension setup compared to the Indonesian-spec.

    Size and volume

    2022 Perodua Alza launched – 2nd-gen 7-seat MPV, Android Auto, RFID, ASA standard, from RM62,500

    The new Alza is the second ‘new generation model’ underpinned by the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform and produced under the Perodua Smart Build concept, after the Ativa. We’ve already detailed the DNGA platform, and you can read more about it here.

    The second-generation Alza is 4,425 mm long and 1,730 mm wide, which means that its footprint is 205 mm longer and 35 mm wider than the original MPV, even if the 2,750 mm wheelbase is unchanged. As mentioned, this is a relatively low-slung MPV compared to the modern rivals – the 1,670 mm height (1,660 mm for X with 15-inch rims, H and AV ride on two-tone 16s) may be 50 mm more than before, but the D27A is still 60 mm lower than a Mitsubishi Xpander.

    Much of the reduced height is from the Alza’s car-like ground clearance, which is just 160 mm (150 mm for X, old Alza 155 mm). When the Toyota Veloz debuts in Malaysia, we’ll get to see the same body suspended 45 mm higher – much like low-rider and high-rider pick-up trucks. Prefer a tall ride? Perodua’s own Aruz is a seven-seater that rides 220 mm above the ground.

    As you’d expect, the larger body yields more interior room for both humans and cargo. Perodua says that the interior length with the second row seats pushed furthest back is 2,765 mm, which is a significant 115 mm more than before. The 35 mm extra width of the body fully translates to interior width, too.

    The rear door opening is 240 mm, 90 mm wider than before, and the one-touch tumble fold middle row seats provide easy access to the third row – one motion is all you need.

    The old Alza was barely there as a three-row MPV and had only 83 litres of boot space with all seats erect. Now, it’s 137 litres (+54L). With the third row bench folded (50:50), cargo space is now 498 litres, a 150L improvement. Those using this as a two-row car for most of the time (P2 says that 40% of Alza owners do this) will have a huge boot for trips to IKEA. The full-sized spare tyre (with matching wheel) is located under the car.

    By the way, the second row also folds flat (for a fully-flat bay) and the front passenger seatback can fully recline backwards. The latter is useful to free up space for really long items. It can also act as an “ottoman” for the second-row occupant.

    Under the hood

    The Alza is powered by a combination first seen in the Myvi facelift. Out goes the previous-generation 3SZ-VE 1.5L and in comes the 1.5L NR engine that we’re familiar with from Peroduas and Toyotas. Here, the 2NR-VE makes 105 hp and 138 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm, which is 3 hp and 1 Nm more than in the Myvi (102 hp/137 Nm). P2 says that the new engine provides 40% better fuel efficiency plus improved performance. Eco Idle (auto start-stop) is standard.

    The Dual VVT-i Euro 4 four-pot is paired to the D-CVT gearbox that made its local debut with the turbocharged Ativa last year. The Dual-Mode CVT then appeared in the Myvi facelift, paired with NA NR engines. Here, like on the Ativa, the D-CVT has manual mode, which the Myvi misses out on.

    D-CVT is the world’s first split gear CVT system. Basically, the unit combines belt drive with a gear drive for improved fuel efficiency, acceleration feel and quietness. From rest to low/medium speeds, the D-CVT functions like any other CVT, with the engine’s torque going through a torque converter (like Toyota and Honda CVTs, Proton’s Punch CVT uses a clutch pack) and into the input pulley, before being transferred to the output pulley via a belt and then to the wheels.

    2022 Perodua Alza launched – 2nd-gen 7-seat MPV, Android Auto, RFID, ASA standard, from RM62,500

    At higher speeds, the D-CVT shifts into its split mode, engaging the gear drive to provide more efficient power transmission (less energy loss), while the rotation to the belt drive is decreased significantly. In the Ativa, D-CVT gets a manual mode with seven virtual ratios, but that has been omitted here. More on the D-CVT here.

    The D-CVT is a very efficient gearbox and together with the modern NR engine, fuel consumption is rated at 22 km/l in what P2 calls the Malaysian Driving Cycle, which supposedly reflects local conditions. It’s 18.9 km/l in the more familiar NEDC. Perodua claims that an Alza needs less than RM40 of RON 95 petrol to travel from KL to Penang (358 km), based on the current RM2.05 per litre.

    Drive Modes is a new feature (H and AV). Normal, Eco and Power modes are selectable via a ‘DRIVE’ steering button on the right spoke, where the ‘PWR’ button is on the Ativa and Myvi. Short press for Power, long press for Eco. The latter provides heightened response while the latter optimises fuel economy.

    No holding back with kit

    2022 Perodua Alza launched – 2nd-gen 7-seat MPV, Android Auto, RFID, ASA standard, from RM62,500

    There are a couple of Perodua firsts when it comes to equipment. The AV comes with an electronic parking brake (EPB) with auto brake hold. EPB takes the place of the manual handbrake between the seats, and it will automatically activate when you shift into P. Brake hold – once turned on – activates the brakes in a traffic jam without needing your foot on the pedal. Not bad for a budget MPV! The EPB package comes with rear disc brakes.

    Also exclusive to the AV is the 360-degree panoramic view monitor, which is a good parking aid. What’s rather unique here is that the driver can manually switch on the PVM via a button on the left steering spoke. This, by the way, is the sole empty button on the Ativa AV’s steering – lucky you, Alza AV owners.

    New to the Alza but expected for a three-row MPV today is rear air-conditioning. The blower speed knob has three levels and is located in the middle, which makes it an easy reach for both rear passengers. The middle row centre arm rest is new to the model and is standard across the range.

    Setting the safety benchmark, again

    Also standard for all three variants is Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA). First introduced with the G3 Myvi in 2017, ASA is now in version 3.0. It includes Pre-collision Warning (PCW, vehicle 4-120 km/h, pedestrian 4-60 km/h), Pre-collision Braking (PCB or AEB, vehicle 4-120 km/h, pedestrian 4-60 km/h), Front Departure Alert (FDA) and Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC). Also available from the base X are Lane Departure Warning and Prevention and six airbags.

    The Alza AV goes semi-autonomous with the addition of Lane Keep Control (LKC) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Like on the top Ativa and Myvi, ACC works between 30 to 125 km/h with three levels of distance from the vehicle in front.

    However, ACC has been updated here with what P2 calls a “Stop, Hold/Follow function”, commonly known as low speed follow or traffic jam assist. Basically, the Alza will follow the vehicle in front to a stop. If the vehicle ahead moves, the Alza driver needs to either press the ACC’s ‘RES’ button or tap the accelerator pedal to follow. If the leading vehicle stops for more than three minutes, ACC will automatically turn off. This function is useful for stop and go traffic. Along with ACC and LKC, the AV also comes with Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

    In the lighting department, the base X comes with LED headlamps and Auto High Beam (AHB), along with Leaving Home and Follow Me Home functions. All the lights at the rear are LEDs, including turn signals and reverse lamps.

    The H and AV come with Adaptive Driving Beam. This Matrix LED-style, Lexus-level headlamp is a smart auto high beam that “cuts out” oncoming vehicles from the glare when high beam is on, instead of dipping the high beam completely, as AHB does. This means that you’ll get full shine even when there’s oncoming traffic, but no one gets blinded by it. ADB does this by disabling individual LEDs within the headlamps for precise control over light distribution.

    As a visible and stylish bonus, ADB is packaged with sequential turn signals. Also on the H and AV are automatic headlamps and LED fog lamps. A front dashcam and security/solar window tint are exclusive to the AV.

    Once again, Perodua is set a high standard for safety that rivals at this price point, and beyond, are just not matching. Rawang has no problems in cutting off the rear demister from the base model, and black stickers on the X’s pillars are extra cost, but safety is non-negotiable. Safety first, that’s the way it should be.

    Comfort and convenience

    2022 Perodua Alza launched – 2nd-gen 7-seat MPV, Android Auto, RFID, ASA standard, from RM62,500

    Here, we’ll cover the rest of the kit list, which is very different from the Ativa. Good safety kit and lights aside, the X looks pretty bare inside and out. We’ll start outside, with the above-mentioned lack of a rear demister and black stickers for the B-pillars. The wheels are 15-inch alloys with 185/65 Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 tyres. There’s a push start button but no keyless entry (unlock via key fob). The latter is an odd omission as even the base manual Myvi G3 had keyless entry at launch.

    Inside, the base Alza does its basic job as a people carrier well, with rear AC vents/controls and the rear centre arm rest fitted. The seats are fabric, the steering is buttonless and the only bits that break the dash monotony are the silver trim on the steering base and some carbon-style print on the lower half of the centre stack. No touchscreen head unit too – it’s the Ativa X radio with the addition of a USB port on the panel.

    Also familiar are the twin-dial analogue meter panel with 4.2-inch multi-info display (as per Ativa X and non-AV Myvis) and the Ativa’s AC control panel with two memory settings. All new Alzas get RFID stickers on the windscreen.

    2022 Perodua Alza launched – 2nd-gen 7-seat MPV, Android Auto, RFID, ASA standard, from RM62,500

    The H is a big jump in both visuals and content. For lighting, you get ADB (you’ll know from the scaly appearance) and LED fog lamps, and the B-pillars are blacked out for a more streamlined look. At the back, the demister comes back in and there’s a slim chrome pinstripe bridging the tail lamps. The wheels are two-tone blade-style 16-inch alloys with 195/60 Toyo Proxes CR1 rubber, a pretty sporty choice for an MPV.

    You touch the electrostatic keyless entry sensor to unlock (Ativa-style, much better than the Myvi’s button), and inside, the mid-spec Alza gets a leather-wrapped steering with (some) buttons (including the Drive Mode selector), plus a mixture of silver, chrome and piano black accents to lift the ambience.

    The meter panel is a 7.0-inch colour screen in combination with a digital speedo – this is the same high-res and customisable cluster used in the Ativa H/AV. Ditto the 9.0-inch infotainment system’s interface, although here, the screen is pushed to the left and the right bezel houses USB and HDMI ports.

    With a screen, there’s also a reverse camera. The wing mirrors are auto retractable, and there are tweeters to make it six speakers in total. We also spot two additional charging points (one in the centre stack cubby and one in the third row) to add to the three in the X (two for middle row, one near the handbrake).

    Finally, the AV, which is dressed up further with a chrome bar and gloss black pins on the grille, plus a chrome window line that joins with the rear, and side skirts. You can also spot the range-topper easily from its rear disc brakes.

    No need to squint when it comes to the AV’s cabin, which has a two-tone scheme. The mid section of the dashboard has a dark red section that flows into the door cards. This shade of red – which might appear brownish in certain light – matches the two-tone semi-leather seats, which by the way, have a nice diamond quilt centre. With the EPB, the centre console runs high between the seats, doing without the “valley” for the handbrake. From the AC vents to the armrest (soft pad for AV), it’s all in piano black with chrome highlights.

    2022 Perodua Alza launched – 2nd-gen 7-seat MPV, Android Auto, RFID, ASA standard, from RM62,500

    Also, the steering wheel is fully furnished with buttons (zero blanks) and the AV’s touchscreen head unit is a new-to-Perodua item despite the spec sheet branding both this and the H’s HU simply as “9” Display Audio”.

    Compared to the one in the H and Ativa, this system has a full row of buttons on the right bezel, a more stylish/modern look with tiles and (wired) Android Auto connectivity. No Apple CarPlay yet, but this ICE is a nice upgrade. Most head units with Android Auto usually also support Apple CarPlay, so this one may get AC as a future update. Lastly, the storage hole at the base of the centre stack is gone, but you’re compensated with two slim cubbies below the gear lever (left side has a charging port).

    Perodua certainly didn’t hold back in outfitting the Alza with its latest and best kit, and I don’t think I’m the only Ativa owner around feeling slightly envious, equipment-wise. What do you think of the Alza’s specs?

    Five colours are available, and they are Ivory White (solid), Glittering Silver, Elegant Black, Garnet Red and Vintage Brown. The latter two colours are reserved for the H and AV.

    Of course, you can choose to further dress up this low-riding MPV with GearUp accessories. The Prime bodykit (RM2,500) adds on front and rear bumper extensions with chrome strips (plus LED DRLs, which have a welcome “Knight Rider” sequence upon start up) and a more protruding rear spoiler. Now, GearUp bodykits tend to be very loud, but not this one, which is surprisingly subtle and matches the Alza rather well.

    Interior items in the GearUp catalogue include two-tone faux leather seat covers (RM1,000, with different sized pockets behind the front seats), LED scuff plates, floor lighting, door visors (RM160), coil mats, luggage tray and hood insulator.

    Once again, the new 2022 Perodua Alza is priced at RM62,500 for the base X, RM68,000 for the mid-spec H and RM75,500 for the top AV. Prices are on-the-road excluding insurance, with sales tax. The factory warranty is for five years or 150,000 km.

    Perodua has over 30,000 bookings on hand since order books opened on June 23 (including nearly 4k bookings converted from the old Alza), but president and CEO Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad has assured that all who booked before July 1 will get their cars before the SST exemption deadline of March 31, 2023. Production started in June and deliveries start today.



    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5X – RM62,500
    Gets as standard:

    Mechanicals

    • 1.5L Dual VVT-i engine (2NR-VE) with Eco Idle
    • 1,496 cc, four-cylinder petrol
    • 105 hp at 6,000 rpm, 138 Nm at 4,200 rpm
    • 22 km/l fuel consumption in Malaysian Driving Cycle (18.9 km/l NEDC)
    • D-CVT automatic transmission with manual mode
    • 43-litre fuel tank
    • Electric power steering (EPS)
    • 5.0-metre turning radius
    • Manual handbrake
    • Ventilated brakes discs (front), drum brakes (rear)
    • 4,425 mm long, 1,730 mm wide, 1,660 mm tall (1,670 for X, AV), 2,750 mm wheelbase
    • 150 mm ground clearance (160 mm for X, AV)
    • Five-year/150,000 km warranty

    Exterior

    • LED headlights with follow-me home, leaving home function
    • Manual headlight levelling
    • Black power-adjustable door mirrors with manual fold
    • LED side mirror turn signals
    • LED tail lamps with light guides
    • 15-inch alloys with 185/65 Hankook Kinergy Eco 2 tyres
    • Silver-painted front grille
    • RFID

    Interior

    • Push start button
    • Speed sensitive auto door lock
    • Fabric seats
    • 60:40 split folding middle row seats, one-touch and slidable mechanism
    • 50:50 split folding third row seats
    • Front arm rest
    • Steering with tilt adjustment
    • Height-adjustable driver’s seat
    • Power windows, auto up/down for driver only
    • Front digital air con controls with memory
    • Rear manual air con controls with vents
    • Analogue meter panel with 4.2-inch LCD multi-info display
    • Non-touchscreen standard head unit
    • Four speakers
    • 137 litre boot (expandable to 498L with third row seats down)
    • Urethane steering wheel

    Safety

    • Six airbags
    • ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist, VSC, traction control
    • Emergency stop signal
    • Rear parking sensors
    • Advanced Safety Assist (ASA)
    • Pre-collision Warning
    • Pre-collision Braking (AEB, for vehicles and pedestrians)
    • Pedal Misoperation Control
    • Front Departure Alert
    • Lane Departure Warning
    • Lane Departure Prevention
    • Auto High Beam

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5H – RM68,000
    Adds on:

    Mechanicals

    • Drive modes (Eco, Normal, Power)

    Exterior

    • Keyless entry with electrostatic touch sensor
    • Auto retractable door mirrors
    • Auto headlamps
    • LED fog lamps
    • 16-inch two-tone alloys with 195/60 Toyo Proxes CR1 tyres
    • Blacked out B-pillars
    • Chrome bar and trim on front grille
    • Rear demister

    Interior

    • 7.0 inch TFT digital instrument panel
    • 9.0 inch touchscreen head unit
    • Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel
    • Tweeters, six speakers in total
    • Second row centre arm rest

    Safety

    • Reverse camera
    • Front parking sensors
    • Adaptive Driving Beam headlamps with sequential turn signals

    2022 Perodua Alza 1.5AV – RM75,500
    Adds on:

    Mechanicals

    • Electronic parking brake with auto brake hold
    • Rear disc brakes

    Exterior

    • Chrome bar and gloss black trim on front grille
    • Chrome window line
    • Side skirts

    Interior

    • Semi-leather two-tone seats
    • Two-tone dashboard, front door cards
    • Soft pad centre front armrest
    • 9.0 inch touchscreen head unit with new UI, wired Android Auto

    Safety

    • Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Hold/Follow function
    • Lane Keep Control
    • Blind Spot Monitor
    • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
    • 360-degree panoramic view monitor
    • Front dashcam
    • Security and solar window tint

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza H

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza X

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza AV with GearUp accessories

    GALLERY: 2022 Perodua Alza official brochure

     
     
 
 
 

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RON 100 RM5.00
VPR RM6.00
DIESEL
EURO 5 B10 RM2.15 (0.00)
EURO 5 B7 RM2.35 (0.00)
Last Updated Mar 28, 2024