2018 Perodua Alza 1.5 S MT Review

In Malaysia's B-segment MPV market, 7-seater models have always been a popular choice for family users—meeting the needs of daily commuting while accommodating weekend outings with children and elderly family members. The 2018 Perodua Alza 1.5 S MT targets this niche market with its budget-friendly pricing and practical features as its core selling points. Many consumers with limited budgets but in need of 7-seater space are eager to see how it performs in real-world scenarios. In this test drive, we focus on evaluating its space utilization, engine performance, and daily practicality as a family car to determine if it truly lives up to being the "essential choice for families."

From the exterior, the 2018 Alza 1.5 S MT's design is leaning towards a conservative style without too many flashy elements. The front features Perodua’s signature trapezoidal grille, paired with chrome accents, offering a look that is not eye-catching but sufficiently harmonious. The body lines are straight and extend from the front to the rear, ensuring the side profile does not appear monotonous. The 15-inch wheel size is standard and aligns with its family-oriented positioning. At the rear, the taillights use LED lighting, providing good visibility at night, while the black plastic cladding on the lower part of the rear bumper adds a slight crossover feel. However, the overall design emphasizes practicality. The lighting system combines halogen headlights and LED taillights, balancing cost and functionality, and front fog lights come as standard, enhancing visibility during rainy or foggy weather.

Inside the cabin, the interior styling is simple, with the dashboard adopting a two-tone color scheme of dark on top and light at the bottom, creating a warm and homey atmosphere. In terms of materials, most areas are covered with hard plastic, but the seams are well-finished without any noticeable sense of cheapness. The multi-function steering wheel is standard, with volume controls and phone buttons integrated on the left side, making daily operations convenient. The instrument cluster features a self-illuminating analog design with clear readings, enabling easy visibility of the tachometer and speedometer even under strong light. The center console does not have a large touch screen but instead retains traditional physical buttons—while it lacks technological appeal, it allows for intuitive operation without causing distractions. In terms of features, keyless entry and a 220V power outlet are practical additions. The former eliminates the need to search for keys, and the latter can charge laptops or small appliances in emergencies, making it a thoughtful feature for family users.

Space is one of Alza’s core strengths. The vehicle measures 4435mm, 1695mm, and 1620mm in length, width, and height, respectively, with a wheelbase of 2750mm—outstanding figures among 7-seater MPVs in the same class. In the front row, after adjusting the driver's seat, a passenger with a height of 175cm still has a fist's worth of headroom, and the legroom is also sufficiently spacious. The second row features a 50:50 split design with seats that can slide forward and backward, providing up to two fists of legroom when adjusted, making it comfortable even for three adult passengers. The third-row space is relatively compact, more suitable for children or adults on short trips, but the backrest angle is decent and doesn’t feel overly cramped. In terms of storage capacity, the trunk offers 83L of space in standard configuration, enough to accommodate several carry-on suitcases. By folding down the second and third rows, it can be expanded into a large cargo area, suitable for moving house or transporting bulky items. Additionally, there are multiple storage compartments inside the vehicle, such as in the door panels and under the center console, allowing space for phones, water bottles, and other small items, maximizing practicality.

Powertrain-wise, the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum power of 104PS, with peak torque output at 4400rpm, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. During actual driving, the start-off isn't particularly brisk, but the throttle response is linear. The gear shifting feels clear, and the clutch engagement point is easy to master, making it easy for beginners to adapt quickly. On urban roads, the low-end torque is sufficient. For uphill slopes or overtaking, downshifting is needed to increase the revs. After 3000rpm, there is a noticeable power surge, but at high speeds above 120km/h, its acceleration ability becomes fairly limited. There is only a standard driving mode without sport or eco mode as options, and the overall tuning leans towards smoothness.

The handling and chassis performance align with the positioning of a family car. The steering wheel requires moderate effort, with reasonable precision, making daily lane changes and U-turns agile. The front suspension uses a MacPherson independent structure, while the rear suspension adopts a torsion beam non-independent structure. It effectively absorbs common city speed bumps or small jolts without too harsh impacts. However, when encountering continuous uneven road surfaces, the rear passengers will feel noticeable vibrations, slightly affecting comfort. During cornering, body roll is controlled within an acceptable range, with no significant swaying, which is relatively stable for an MPV. In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 7.87L/100km. During the test drive, city driving fuel consumption was about 8.5L, and highway driving was around 7L. For a 1.5L manual model, this performance is average—not particularly fuel-efficient but also not burdensome.

Noise control performance is average. At speeds over 80km/h, wind and tire noise become noticeably audible inside the cabin, especially for rear passengers who might find it more apparent. Long highway trips might feel a bit noisy. The seat comfort is good, as the front seats provide adequate support and moderate softness in the padding, making long drives less tiring. The rear seats have cushions long enough to support the thighs adequately, which makes long journeys relatively comfortable as well.

To sum up, the core advantages of the 2018 Perodua Alza 1.5 S MT lie in its practicality and cost-effectiveness. Compared to similar models like the Proton Exora, it comes at a lower price with more affordable maintenance costs. Although it lacks features like a large display screen or a reversing camera, it doesn't miss out on any essential practical configurations. It is suitable for families with a budget of around 50,000 MYR who need a 7-seat vehicle primarily for daily commuting and short trips. If you prioritize technology features or high-speed comfort, this may not be the best choice. However, if your focus is on "spacious, user-friendly, and affordable," the Alza 1.5 S MT is definitely a practical option.

Overall, this car doesn't have too many flashy designs, but it fulfills the core needs of a family car—space, practical configurations, and reliability. For those who need a 7-seater to meet family travel needs but don’t want to spend too much money, it’s a worthy consideration.