Perodua Ativa: From RM 62,500, is it the best-selling B-Segment SUV in 2024?

In the Malaysian car market, although the Perodua Ativa has been on the market for more than 3 years, this car is not only rich in configuration, but also very attractive in price. The starting price is only RM 62,500. Let's dive into Ativa to see if it's worth buying.

Appearance Design: Fashionable and Practical

The Perodua Ativa stands out with its fashionable exterior design. The front part is equipped with a unique front bumper, which is different from the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize on the Japanese market. The front grille extends to the LED headlights on both sides and adopts an L-shaped front fog lamp design. LED headlights are standard for all models, enhancing safety for night driving.

For the rear part, Ativa is equipped with a chrome trim bar that connects the LED taillights on both sides and an L-shaped rear reflector design. The silver decoration strip under the license plate frame adds a touch of brightness to the rear of the car. Different configuration models are equipped with different size wheels, the entry-level 1.0 X is equipped with 16-inch silver alloy wheels, while 1.0 H and 1.0 AV are equipped with 17-inch two-tone wheels.

Interior Design: Emphasis on Technology and Comfort

Inside the car, the interior design of Ativa is very similar to its Japanese siblings Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize. The dashboard and steering wheel design are simple and generous, the layout of various function buttons is reasonable, and the operation is convenient.

It is worth noting that Ativa uses a button-style air conditioning control system and has two memory setting functions, which is more modern than the knob-style design of Rocky and Raize.

In terms of the infotainment system, Ativa is equipped with a 9-inch touch screen (only for 1.0 H and 1.0 AV), although it does not support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it can still connect the phone to the vehicle through SmartDeviceLink (SDL) technology. All models are equipped with a front central armrest, keyless start button, adjustable rear seats, and a two-level luggage compartment floor, and includes a full-size spare tire.

Power System

Perodua Ativa is equipped with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine, with a maximum power of 98 horsepower, peak torque is 140 Nm, matched with a Dual-Mode CVT (D-CVT) gearbox. This front-wheel-drive model, in the ECE test cycle, has fuel economy reaching 5.29 liters/100 kilometers (18.9 kilometers/liter).

It is noteworthy that Ativa's D-CVT is different from the regular CVT, through a dual-mode design, it provides a smoother and more efficient driving experience.

Safety Configuration: Comprehensive protection

In terms of safety configurations, Perodua Ativa performs particularly well. The entire series comes standard with the Perodua Smart Drive Assist ADAS suite, including Pre-Collision Brake (PCB), Pre-Collision Warning (PCW), Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC), Front-Departure Alert (FDA), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). These functions are fully equipped in the entry-level models, enhancing overall safety.

The higher configurations of H model and AV model have added Adaptive Driving Beam based on this basis, and the top AV model is equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Control (LKC), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Traffic_Alarm (RCTA). These advanced driving assistance systems greatly enhance the convenience and safety of driving.

Price and Configuration Selection: Diversified to Meet Different Needs

Perodua Ativa offers a variety of configuration options to meet the needs of different consumers:

- X model: entry-level model, priced at RM 62,500, equipped with LED headlights, automatic high beam, keyless entry and one-key startup system, 4.2-inch multi-information display screen, 6 airbags and Perodua Advanced Safety Assistance System (ASA) 3.0.

- H model: mid-range model, priced at RM 67,300, added LED front fog lights, flowing turn signals, 17-inch wheels, 9-inch touch screen infotainment system, 7-inch digital dashboard, multi-function steering wheel and rear USB ports, as well as front parking sensors, reverse image and adaptive headlights.

- AV model: top model, priced at RM 72,600, in addition to all the configurations of the H model, it also adds two-color body options, leather seats, 6 speakers and a series of semi-automatic driving assistance functions, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping control, blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert.

Additionally, special metallic colors require an additional payment of RM 500, and the two-color black roof option is RM 800 more than the regular color, RM 300 more than the special metallic color. All the above prices are on-the-road prices, excluding insurance.

Conclusion: Value for Money B-Segment SUV

Perodua Ativa performs well in terms of pricing and configuration from any angle. The entry-level model is already equipped with a rich configuration, and if you want to have more modern features, you can choose the H model or AV model. Not only does this vehicle perform well in terms of safety, it also provides an excellent driving experience through its turbocharged engine and efficient CVT gearbox.

Although Ativa and Proton X50 belong to the same niche market, in terms of cost-effective and configuration, Ativa may be a more worthwhile choice. Whether you focus on safety configuration or pursue high-tech functions, Ativa can meet your needs. Perodua has demonstrated its strong competitiveness in the B-segment SUV market. If you are looking for a B-segment SUV that is reasonably priced and feature-rich, Perodua Ativa is definitely worth a look.