2018 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV AT Review

In Malaysia's B-segment MPV market, 7-seater models have always been a core choice for family users—balancing the flexibility for daily commuting and the practicality for group travel. The 2018 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV AT, as a popular model in this segment, boasts high cost-effectiveness and 7-seat layout as its core selling points. This time, through a static experience and dynamic test drive, we primarily aimed to verify whether its space practicality and power performance truly meet the needs of local families.

First, let's look at the exterior. The overall design takes a straightforward and family-oriented approach, without overly exaggerated styling. The front features a large trapezoidal grille accentuated with chrome trims, providing decent recognition; the headlights are a combination of halogen and LED, and the LED daytime running lights offer clear visual effects when lit. The brightness is sufficient for nighttime driving. The side profile of the car shows neat lines, with 15-inch wheels and 185/55 R15 tires, well-aligned with its family car positioning. The rear design is simple, with horizontally styled taillights that echo the front end, giving a coordinated but understated appearance overall.

Opening the car door, the interior is primarily in dark tones, with most materials being hard plastics, though the assembly is relatively neat. The dashboard layout is clear, with an 8-inch touchscreen prominently positioned, showing moderate smoothness in operation and support for Bluetooth connectivity and basic multimedia functions. The multifunctional steering wheel comes as standard, with the left side controlling audio and phone operations, and the right side adjusting instrument panel information, making daily use convenient. In terms of features, keyless entry and start, front and rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera are highlights of the AV version, which are quite friendly for novice drivers when parking. Both the second and third rows have ISO FIX anchors, making it safer for families traveling with kids. A 220V power outlet is provided for rear passengers to charge their devices, showcasing thoughtful attention to detail.

Space is the Alza’s core advantage, with a 2750mm wheelbase considered long in its class. When the front row is adjusted to a comfortable driving position, a 175cm passenger has a fist's worth of headroom left. The second-row seats support 50:50 split folding and have a large front-to-back sliding range, offering up to two fists of legroom when fully adjusted, comfortable enough to accommodate three adults without feeling cramped. The third row is comparatively compact, with a 165cm passenger’s legs just touching the back of the second row, but it’s manageable for short trips, though a bit tight for long-distance journeys. The trunk's standard capacity is 83L, which can be expanded by folding down the third row to create a larger space—enough for a stroller or suitcases, meeting daily grocery shopping or weekend camping storage needs.

In terms of performance, the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum horsepower of 104PS and a peak torque of 136N·m, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Power output during acceleration is smooth with no evident lag, making urban low-speed following easy. The torque peaks at 4400rpm, requiring a deeper throttle for overtaking, with about a one-second delay in engine response. However, when cruising at 100km/h on highways, the engine maintains a speed of around 2500rpm, remaining relatively quiet. There are only two driving modes available: Economy and Normal. In Economy mode, throttle response is softer, making it suitable for fuel-efficient daily commuting.

The handling performance is average. The steering wheel is light, making it easy for female drivers, but there’s some play, requiring slightly more adjustment when changing lanes at high speeds. The front features MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear uses a torsion beam non-independent suspension. When navigating common speed bumps or potholes on local roads, vibrations are filtered relatively well, so rear passengers won’t feel overly jostled. During cornering, noticeable body roll occurs, as expected with MPVs having a higher center of gravity. It’s not suitable for aggressive driving. The brake pedal travel is moderate, with linear braking force output, and the vehicle maintains stable posture during emergency braking.

After testing the fuel consumption, it was found that in city traffic conditions, it uses about 8.5L per 100 km, while on the highway it drops to about 6.8L, with an average of around 7.6L, which is close to the official 7.87L. The fuel economy is considered good among cars in the same class. As for noise control, at 60km/h in the city, wind noise and tire noise are not obvious. At 120km/h on the highway, wind noise increases but remains acceptable. The seats are manually adjustable, with firm padding but sufficient support, making long drives not too tiring.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2018 Alza 1.5 AV AT are its flexible space, practical configuration, and economic fuel consumption. Priced at RM60,525, it is nearly RM10,000 cheaper than the Honda Freed of the same class, showcasing outstanding value for money. Compared to the Proton Exora of the same class, the Alza's smaller body makes city parking more convenient, and its fuel consumption is also lower.

This car is suitable for families that value practicality, especially those who frequently need to transport 5-7 people for short trips. It is fuel-efficient for daily commuting, adequately equipped, and has flexible space. For users who prioritize power or luxury, they may find its performance too modest. However, as a family MPV, its balance already meets the needs of most local families.

Overall, the 2018 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV AT is a family car with "no obvious shortcomings." With its straightforward design and practical configuration, it precisely targets the core needs of Malaysian families—solving the issues of multi-person travel and daily commuting at an affordable cost.