TEST DRIVE: Perodua Myvi 1.5AV – It Just Gets Better and Better

Here’s what Automologist ATHERTON thinks about the top-of-the-range Myvi.

The new facelifted Myvi has been specced and decked with a host of features that one might wonder how on earth did Perodua manage still price it below RM60,000. Well, you’d have to ask the clever folks over in Rawang.

Of course, there may be other cars with even more features and different driving dynamics, but for Perodua, making ‘the people’s car’ is of paramount importance. Since 2005, about 1.3 million units have been sold across three generations. To put things into perspective, that’s 222 cars every single day for the past 16 years!

The facelifted Myvi 1.5 AV that we got hold of recently will continue that upward trend. It has a Dual VVT-i four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine with 102hp and 137 Nm of torque. Perodua claims to have the best-in-class fuel efficiency at 21.1/l.

For starters, this is the very first Myvi equipped with a D-CVT transmission and second in the carmaker’s lineup after the Ativa. Perodua has replaced the previous 4-speed automatic transmission with the D-CVT, opting for better efficiency.

As for features that would put many high-end models to shame, here’s what the 1.5 AV variant offers:

Advanced Safety Assist (A.S.A)
-Pre-Collision Warning
-Pre-Collision Braking
-Pedal Misoperation Control
-Front Departure Alert

Driving Assist
-Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
-Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
-Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
-Lane Keep Control (LKC)
-Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)

Parking Assist
-Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
-Reverse Camera
-Front Corner Sensor
-Rear Corner Sensor
-Auto High Beam

Yes, all that for the high-specced variant. It is really a well-thought-out car and has all that Malaysians want: reliability, efficiency and practicality.

You get new auto on-off headlamps with follow-me-home and leaving home functions. Vertical LED daytime running lights, with dual-tone 15-inch alloys and a front lip. The Optitron meter makes a return and the images are sharp and crisp. You’ll be able to change all your settings in the car—like the date and time, vehicle and maintenance —on your steering wheel column. However, there are some blank buttons but those are not much of a bother. Engine Start/Stop button is on the dash to the driver’s left.

Cabin space is really good. I had 5 people sit in and it didn’t feel cramped at all. There are sedans with much larger dimensions but their cabin space felt cramped. But not the Myvi. As this was the highest spec variant, you get bold red accents on the front and rear leather seats (yes, red is the only option) air-cond vents and meter panel.

Boot space is a respectable 277 litres and it is big enough for a few bags; if that is not enough, you can lower the rear seats to a 60/40 split for extra space. It would be good to have rear air-con vents in our weather and a centre armrest but the air-conditioning unit is cool enough and you can get an armrest fitted according to your taste at a car accessory shop. All in all, this facelifted Myvi is value for money.

There is a nice 6.9″ touchscreen infotainment display. Sadly, there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto but you do get SmartLink screen mirroring for Android users and HDMI. And there is Voice Recognition too. It is also nice to see that Perodua has kept the Built-In Toll Reader.

There are cupholders on the sides of the doors and right behind the gear console, an anti-theft hook on the side of the front passenger seat, a USB charger at the side of the driver seat and “teh tarik” hooks at the back of driver and front passenger seats. Dashcam, solar and security tint are standard for top-of-the-range variants.

I had the opportunity to ride in a cousin’s older-generation Myvi 1.5AV a day before we picked up this unit. You do feel the difference. For example, NVH levels are improved. Fuel efficiency is improved thanks to the CVT tranny. Driving is a breeze and if you need to be quick for a moment to overtake a slow-moving car, the Myvi allows you to do that. Sure, you do feel a bit of a pull as the car searches for the appropriate “gear” but nothing too dramatic. The D-CVT gearbox combines belt drive with a gear drive for improved fuel efficiency, acceleration and quietness.

In terms of safety, the AV spec has: 6 airbags – front, side and curtain; ISOFIX points at the back; ABS with EBD; Traction Control; Vehicle Stability Control (VSC); Hill-Start Assist (HAS); Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), and Auto-Lock & Unlocking Door. It has a 5-star ASEAN NCAP Safety Rating

So, if you’re looking for a car that is easy to maintain, has good resale value, parts that are effortless to find, practical and efficient, look no further than the Perodua Myvi.