The long waitlist has not deterred you? Here’s what Automologist ATHERTON thinks about All-New Perodua Alza.
The Perodua Alza 2022 has been a runaway success for Perodua. It had garnered over 51,000 bookings in just two months! For many, getting a 7-seater MPV that is below RM100,000 is a no-brainer, what more with all the added features integrated into a complete package.
Perodua, Daihatsu and Toyota were in partnership in creating the new Alza. The DNGA platform, which stands for ‘Daihatsu New Global Architecture’, is a modular unibody automobile platform that underpins various Daihatsu vehicles and its rebadged versions. You’ll read about various names being used like Daihatsu Xenia, Toyota Veloz (soon-to-be-launched in Malaysia), Toyota Avanza, etc but all of them are derived from the same DNA with minor tweaks here and there.
I got a top-of-the-range AV spec Alza to test drive for a week. Here’s my take on it.
The new Alza is a complete revamp from its predecessor that had been in the market for 13 years. It now sports a front-wheel-drive layout, technically advanced features, a better engine, and a slew of safety features which to many make the perfect family car.
Leaps ahead from its predecessor and a premium feel to it.
In terms of dimensions, it measures 4425mm long and 1730mm wide but the wheelbase remains unchanged at 2750mm. Ground clearance is 160mm as Perodua wanted to make it low (car-like) yet sporty and it shows in the front bumper and grille. You get LED headlamps with sequential side turn signals.
Inside, there is a dual tone dashboard instrument panel that flows to the door cards. Seats are two-tone semi-leather that are really comfy. When you sit in the driver’s seat, the full set of features become evident. The centre armrest is really nice. A sharp and crisp 9-inch touchscreen supposedly allows you to connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto but functions were disabled on the test car so I can’t comment further on that. You can customize your digital meter panel and there is an AC control with two memory positions. Everything feels rather upmarket and I dare say the most premium Perodua to date.
As you might have deduced from the dimensions, the cabin is roomier compared to the old Alza. Headroom and legroom have improved significantly.
Ample headroom, legroom and kneeroom.
For this price point, you would think safety would be compromised but not in this Perodua. Here’s the plethora of safety features in the Alza:
– Six airbags with ASA (Advanced Safety Assist) 3.0
– Pre-Collision Warning
– Pre-Collision Braking
– Pedal Misoperation Control
– Front Departure Alert
– EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) with Auto Brake Hold – a blessing in traffic jams.
– LDW (Lane Departure Warning)
– LDP (Lane Departure Prevention)
– ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)
– LKC (Lane Keep Control)
– BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)
– RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
– Adaptive Driving Beam LED headlights.
The heart of the car is a 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine paired to D-CVT gearbox making 105hp and 138Nm of torque. You are able to choose from Eco, Normal or Sport. A D-CVT combines a belt-drive and a gear drive. If you are at rest or low/medium speed, the D-CVT works like any other CVT – the engine torque goes through a torque converter and into the input pulley, before being transferred to the output pulley through a belt and then to the wheels. This method improves fuel efficiency, acceleration-feel and quietness. The gearbox allows you to upshift and downshift if you want that extra bit of thrill.
A 360-degree panoramic view function makes parking and maneuvering in tight spots a breeze, not forgetting the reverse camera, front and rear corner sensors to assist further. There is no telescopic steering but it is not something that’ll make driving this vehicle feel like a chore. I took the Alza through twisty roads and on the national highway. The car felt planted and NVH levels were good.
Centre console with soft pad armrest, cupholder and 2 USB ports.
However, before embarking on the journey, I noticed that the seat belt buckle stopper was nowhere to be found, so I had to retrieve the buckle every time as it had slid to the bottom.
In terms of cabin space, there is ample room if you’re ferrying seven around. The 3rd row seats are fit for teenagers or small-sized adults whereas in its predecessor, it would be good only for small children. Getting back there is simple as there is a one-movement tumble fold activated at the press of a lever. So, that’s another one up compared to the previous Alza. There are two USB ports in the middle and one in front as well as ample cupholder spaces.
You’re able to drop all seats fully flat for long and big items.
Rear air-conditioning is available now and it’s a blessing. I must say it improved comfort levels for rear passengers without a doubt. The vents and speed can be adjusted according to your liking. There are things we missed, though, like the ‘Teh Tarik’ hooks and built-in Smart Tag reader, and probably a cubby hole in the centre console to put my phone in while driving. All in all, the all-new top-spec Perodua Alza is worth every cent of its RM75,500.00 price tag, excluding insurance. Alas, the waiting period…
