Perhaps not to the degree of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures (my commiserations to United fans), but the new Perodua Axia is surprising car, a huge departure from the previous model. The surprises come in many boxes too – exterior design, nice cabin and a much better drive. And yes, price – “Malaysia’s cheapest car” now starts at the high thirties and tops out at nearly RM50k.
In this full video review, Hafriz Shah takes you thorough the new Axia, pointing out the good and the bad of P2’s latest model. There’s plenty of good – and some aspects have seen night and day improvement – but it’s not the perfect budget car, as you’ll find out. Both our jaws dropped at the media preview, but with more seat time, this is a more balanced assessment.
Personally, I understand some of the decisions that P2 made. Indonesia’s new 1.2L engine would have made the gap between this and the Myvi, which is closer now, to uncomfortable levels – as things stand with the carryover 1.0L, we’re already putting both names in the same sentence, and there are murmurs about the higher RRP. By the way, our neighbours have scale for the 1.2L as it’s the LCGC default engine (also used in the Raize/Rocky), and the Rawang-made Sirion (Myvi) is an inconsequential niche product there.
But now I know that I can’t just swap my Ativa to the Axia and pocket the difference without any penalty, despite the early thoughts. Overall, the new Axia is a much improved car, and some aspects such as the stunning FC, shared DNGA cabin content and better performance with just a gearbox change are things that will delight owners daily.
The 2023 Perodua Axia has received a four-star rating from ASEAN NCAP. Under the latest 2021-2025 assessment protocol, cars are assessed based on four categories comprising adult occupant protection (AOP) with the full score of 40 points, while the child occupant protection (COP) category, safety assist (SA) and motorcyclist safety (MS) have a full score of 20 points each.
The Axia “performed exceptionally well under the current stringent assessment protocol” and achieved an overall score of 73.55 points, which translates to four stars. However, if you look at the individual categories, the D74A scored a five-star rating for AOP with 32.06 points, COP with 17.03 points and SA with 15.71 points. The overall score was dragged down by its 8.75 points in the MS category
I guess that means that if you solely look at the crashworthiness of the model, how it protects its occupants, the Axia is very much a five-star car even though the overall rating is four.
The new Axia, which starts at RM38,600 for the base G to RM49,500 for the AV, has two airbags as standard along with ABS/EBD/BA, VSC, front and rear seat belt reminders and Isofix child seat anchors. The AV comes with six airbags and ASA 3.0, which includes autonomous emergency braking. AEB is something that Proton doesn’t offer until the X50 Flagship, a RM113k SUV, so to get it in an Axia is great.
The top Axia’s safety kit list also includes lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and auto high beam. Only ACC/LKC separates this safety package from the Ativa/Alza AV.
“ASEAN NCAP is proud that the Malaysia’s local brand car has continued to strive towards the best for its latest model by successfully achieving a four-star rating under the current 2021-2025 protocol. A huge congratulations is in order to the new hatchback for the wonderful achievement,” ASEAN NCAP said in a statement.
This week has most certainly been all about the 2023 Perodua Axia, and one of the most controversial aspects of the second-generation model is its appearance. I can honestly say that it looks much better in real life, in the flesh than it does in photos but even then, it’s not a car that will be universally liked.
The flat front end, small and boring wheels across the range, understyled rear end make it perhaps Perodua’s most love-it-or-hate-it design yet. Theophilus Chin’s latest renders, however, might suggest that there’s an easy fix for that.
Missing in the latest range is an SUV-inspired Axia Style variant, which was available in the previous 2019 update for the first-gen Axia. These new renders show that a little bit of SUV-ness would go a long way in making the new compact hatchback look a lot more attractive, at least in my opinion.
It doesn’t take much. A set of bash plates front and rear, plastic body cladding all around, bigger and chunkier wheels, roof rails and a two-tone paintjob does the trick. The changes have a significant effect on the overall appearance of the Axia – the front immediately looks more menacing, while the rear even looks fairly fashionable now.
Perhaps Perodua is saving the Style for an upcoming mid-life update, or maybe not at all if it has deemed the outgoing Axia Style a sales failure. Whatever the case, what do you think of this theoretical (see what I did there?) 2023 Perodua Axia Style, folks? Leave your comments below.
You’ve seen our spec-by-spec comparison post of the 2023 Perodua Axia, and here’s a comparo video to go along with it, showing you the exterior, interior and spec differences between the D74A’s four variants.
The new Axia range starts from the G at RM38,600, while the X goes for RM40,000. The SE is a bigger step up at RM44,000, while the bells and whistles AV clocks in just below the RM50k mark at RM49,500 on the road excluding insurance. We’ve also done the monthly instalment calculations, which puts the new Axia from RM440 to RM563 a month – full chart here.
What do you get for RM440 monthly? The base Axia G is very easy to spot from the outside, as it’s the only variant to not come with full LED headlamps, but reflector halogens instead. The wing mirrors (electrically adjustable) don’t have signal lamps, which is why you’ll find bulbs on the front fenders.
The B pillars are in body colour, as are the little triangles at the base of the A pillars. The other models get black stickers for a streamlined look. The wheels are 14-inch items with decent Toyo Proxes CR1 rubber – unusually, this combo is standard from G to AV, with no upsize or unique design for the top variants.
The G is also the only new Axia to not get keyless entry so you’ll have to press a button on the key to lock/unlock, and then insert the key and twist to start. The interior is an all-black affair with no trim accents. The basic kit list includes an analogue speedo with no rev counter, radio with two speakers (with Bluetooth and USB, which is good) and knobs for the manual air con.
Tilt steering adjustment makes a debut on the Axia, but that’s for variants above the G. The driver’s seat is height adjustable. At the back, the integrated ‘pillow’ headrests are very low and we found some surprise omissions such as the rear centre cupholder and roof grab handles. Safety wise, the G gets two airbags, ABS, hill-start assist, VSC, seat belt reminders (front and back), Isofix anchors and rear parking sensors.
Axia G
Unless your budget really doesn’t permit, the RM40,000 Axia X should be where it starts, as you get a lot more kit for just RM1,400 extra. Spread across a nine-year loan, the X will cost you around RM455 monthly, or RM15 more.
The automatic LED headlamps with LED positioning lamps alone would probably be worth the premium, both in looks and function. Factory LED headlamps are one of those things that once you experience, you can never go back. Another item in this category is keyless entry and push start, which the X has. By the way, the sensor on the Axia’s driver door handle is of the electrostatic type, as per the Ativa/Alza, and better than the Myvi’s black button.
The slimmer LED eyes significantly improves the X’s looks, and the B-pillars and the front corner triangles are covered in matte black stickers. Interior upgrades over the G include tilt-adjustable steering, rear door speakers, grab handles, rear centre cupholder and front parking sensors. That’s a lot of extra stuff for RM1,400.
Axia X with GearUp accessories
If the Axia range can be split into two, the SE and AV are on the greener side of the field. The RM44,000 SE (around RM500 per month) looks sportier thanks to black skirting on the front and sides, plus a chrome ‘wing’ on the grille that integrates nicely with the LED positioning lamps. There’s also a subtle tailgate spoiler and the area around the rear number plate is in black.
The signal lights are now on the wing mirrors, which have a power fold function. The SE and AV also get solar and security window tint (by LLumar). Even from far, you’ll notice this higher grade Axia, thanks to standard LED daytime running lights. Even the top Ativa and Alza don’t get LED DRLs as standard.
Inside, the SE doesn’t look like the Axia cabin you see in ads, but there are a few notable upgrades from what we’ve seen so far. The air con control panel is now digital; this is the same unit found in the Ativa/Alza and comes with two memory positions. The dashboard looks more upmarket thanks to a silver horizontal trim and silver accents on the steering and gear knob. The AC tabs and door handles are in chrome.
Axia SE
Other additions include a PWR mode button, a rev counter on the sportier instrument panel, Eco-Idle automatic start-stop and a sound insulation cover under the bonnet. Practical small touches include the handbag hook between the front seats and teh tarik hooks embedded into the front seat backs. The seats are different – the ‘semi-bucket’ fronts get big side bolsters, and there are proper adjustable headrests at the back.
Finally, we arrive at the RM49,500 AV, which will set you back RM563 a month over nine years. The RRP is a big RM5,500 jump from the SE, but there’s also a substantial list of AV-exclusive kit that’s hard to retrofit.
The range-topper isn’t unique from the outside, wearing the same bodykit as the SE and the standard-issue 14-inch single-tone wheels. There’s also no exclusive paint colour, so you can only spot one by its ASA 3.0 cameras at the top of the windscreen. This pack includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and front departure warning, a feature that does society a favour by alerting drivers stuck on phones that traffic is moving.
Axia AV
AEB is something that Proton doesn’t offer until the X50 Flagship, a RM113k SUV, so to get it in an Axia is great. To also get lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, auto high beam and six airbags – in an Axia – is simply amazing. Only ACC/LKC separates this safety package from the Ativa/Alza AV.
As for the things you can enjoy everyday, the AV gets a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster with multiple themes, as well as a 9.0-inch touchscreen head unit with a reverse camera. Both these items are from the Ativa, and the HU isn’t the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto unit found in the Alza AV. The audio and meter controls add buttons to the steering, which is wrapped in leather. The seats are as per the SE, but in part-leather with red accents.
Under the hood, all DNGA Axias get the same carryover 1.0 litre three-cylinder VVT-i engine with 67 hp/91 Nm. The automatic transmission is a D-CVT, as used by three larger models in P2’s range. Perodua claims Malaysian Driving Cycle fuel economy of 25.3 km/l for the G and X, and 27.4 km/l for the SE and AV. The difference is because of Eco-Idle. Not having wider tyres and larger rims also help the SE/AV’s FC figure.
Click to enlarge
Lastly, GearUp. Surprisingly, there’s no GearUp bodykit at launch, but you can add on small items such as door visors, illuminated scuff plates with a carbon-fibre look, Perodua-branded coil mats, footwell lights and a boot tray. There are also PVC seat covers in black/red (available for both type of seats) and GearUp heat and noise engine hood isolation foam. As usual, these optional extras can be included in your HP loan.
There’s strong demand for the 2023 Perodua Axia and its manufacturer is ensuring that owners are taking deliveries promptly, with an estimated 2,900 orders set to be delivered ‘soon’ after today’s official launch of the second-generation hatchback, according to Perodua.
Of the 44,000 orders received which were for the existing, first-generation Axia before the launch of its successor, 13,600 of those have been converted to orders for the newly-launched second-generation Axia, according to Perodua president and CEO Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
Combined with more than 6,500 new bookings received since the order books opened on January 31, Perodua now has an order tally of 20,100 units, the company said.
As mentioned previously, the national carmaker set itself a sales target of 5,700 units a month for the D74A Axia, and to that end the carmaker aims to reach an annual production volume of over 82,000 units for its just-launched A-segment hatchback, and therefore also set to exceed production volumes for the larger, B-segment Myvi.
The second-generation Perodua Axia was launched today in four variants – G, X, SE and AV, priced at RM38,600, RM40,000, RM44,000 and RM49,500, respectively, where these prices are on-the-road excluding insurance. The most basic E variant with manual transmission will carry on in first-gen Axia form, with release planned for after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which will be in April this year.
Motive power for the D74A Axia comes from a 1KR-VE 1.0L VVT-i three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a D-CVT driving the front wheels, with electric power steering, and fuel consumption is a claimed 25.3 km/l fuel consumption in the Malaysian Driving Cycle (MDC).
It’s only February, but we’ve already had the car launch of the year with the 2023 Perodua Axia. The second generation budget hatchback to wear the Axia badge is an all-new Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) model that’s bigger and better in terms of safety and features, but also slightly pricier than before. It’s also significantly better to drive, as detailed in our first drive report.
The 2023 Axia comes in four variants – G, X, SE and AV. The G kicks off the range at RM38,600, the X is priced at RM40,000, the SE costs RM44,000, while the range-topping AV will set you back RM49,500, on the road without insurance.
All four D74A variants share the same new powertrain combo, which mates a carryover 1.0 litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine with 67 hp/91 Nm to a D-CVT automatic transmission.
First introduced in the Ativa, D-CVT stands for Dual-Mode CVT, the world’s first split gear CVT system. Basically, the unit combines belt drive with a gear drive for improved FC, acceleration and quietness – you can learn more about the D-CVT here. It replaces the long-serving four-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
While the CVT alters the driving character of the Axia, its true mission is to boost fuel economy. Perodua’s claimed figures are in the Malaysian Driving Cycle (MDC), which supposedly follows local road conditions and driving patterns. It’s 25.3 km/l (G and X) or 27.4 km/l with the Eco Idle auto start-stop system (SE and AV).
P2 says that if you combine the max MDC FC with the current RON 95 price of RM2.05 per litre, you’ll only need less than RM28 of fuel to travel from KL to Penang, a 365 km journey.
Click to enlarge spec sheet
The Axia’s body is a larger one. At 3,760 mm long and 1,665 mm wide, the D74A is 115 mm longer and 45 mm wider than its predecessor; more than half of the extra length goes into the wheelbase, which at 2,525 mm, is 70 mm longer. The outgoing Axia’s boot was already generously sized for what it is – here, the 265L cargo area is 5L bigger. Perodua also worked on the driving position and ergonomics – the steering angle is more upright now (good), and there’s tilt adjustment for the first time.
Which model gets what? That’s the reason of this post, our usual spec-by-spec comparison listing down each variant’s kit and separating them by category. Not everything can be obtained from the spec sheet, so some snooping around is required.
Highlights include standard VSC across the range, two airbags for all/six for the AV, ASA and driver assist tech for the AV (including auto high beam, but no ACC), Eco Idle for the SE/AV, LED headlamps and steering adjustment from the X onwards (both are new to the Axia) and touchscreen head unit/digital meter for the AV. It’s unusual that all variants get the same tyre/wheel combo, but it’s like that here – 14-inch single-tone items with Toyo Proxes CR1 rubber. Yup, no upsize or a different rim design for the range topper.
Check out the full kit list, galleries of each spec and walk-around video below. What do you think of the value provided by the new Axia?
