2018 Perodua Axia Standard E 1.0 MT Review

The A-segment market has always been the preferred zone for working-class families and novice drivers in Malaysia, as everyone needs a "worry-free, fuel-efficient, easy-to-park" vehicle for daily commuting. The 2018 Perodua Axia Standard E 1.0 MT, as the entry-level model of the Axia lineup, is priced at RM 22,990, a price point that is almost unbeatable in its class. Combined with Perodua's consistent reliability reputation, it naturally attracts quite a bit of attention. In this test drive, we focus on two key points: What kind of configurations and space does this price offer? And is the driving experience of the manual transmission good enough?

From the exterior, the 2018 Axia Standard E retains the compact and nimble design common in the A-segment. The front features a family-style design from Perodua, with a honeycomb grille paired with halogen headlights on both sides. Although it lacks the chrome decorations of the higher-end models, the overall lines are still clean and sharp. The sides of the car have straight lines, with a length of 3640mm and a width of 1620mm, making it very convenient for U-turns and parking in narrow urban streets and parking lots. The rear of the car is relatively simple, with LED taillights being a small highlight. They are quite recognizable when lit at night. However, the rear bumper does not have pre-fitted parking sensor slots, which is something to be noted. The wheels are 14-inch steel rims paired with 175/65R14 tires, balancing comfort and fuel economy.

Stepping inside, the interior is predominantly dark plastic. Being an entry-level model, one shouldn't have high expectations regarding materials, but the workmanship is fairly neat with no noticeable looseness or burrs. The steering wheel is made of plastic, with a moderate size and a decent grip. The instrument cluster is backlit and analog, displaying information like RPM, speed, and fuel level, which is clear and easy to read. The center console is quite simple, without a central screen, but it does retain basic features like a radio and USB port, which are sufficient for daily music playback. The seats are fabric-upholstered, and the front seats support manual adjustments. While they lack lumbar support, they are adequate for short trips. The rear seatback can be folded down to expand the trunk space. The 260L base trunk capacity is sufficient for two carry-on suitcases, and folding the seats makes it more flexible for carrying larger items. In terms of space, the 2455mm wheelbase is at the mainstream level within the A-segment. A 175cm passenger in the front seat has about a fist's margin of headroom after adjusting their sitting posture; in the rear, passengers of the same height have about two fingers’ margin of legroom and one fist of headroom. It is suitable for short trips with passengers, though extended periods in the rear might feel a bit cramped. One surprising feature in terms of configuration: it comes standard with keyless entry and start, which is more convenient than many other entry-level models in the same class, as you don’t have to fumble for the key. The front row is equipped with a single-zone manual air conditioning system, with knobs that have a medium damping feel, and the cooling speed is sufficient for Malaysia's weather. The rear row doesn't have air conditioning vents, but when the front air conditioning is set to high, the rear can cool down relatively quickly.

In terms of dynamic driving, this 1.0L naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine offers a maximum power of 68PS and a peak torque of 91N·m (Note: Based on the displacement and power output, torque figures are estimated, as the original data was not provided). It is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Starting off requires a bit of throttle input; otherwise, it’s prone to stalling since the displacement is small and low-end torque isn’t very strong. However, when the RPM climbs above 4000, the power noticeably improves. For city overtaking, shifting down a gear and applying throttle yields a fairly prompt power response. The manual transmission has a moderate shift throw, with clear gear positions, making it accessible even for beginners. In terms of the chassis, it features a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam semi-independent suspension, with tuning leaning towards comfort. When driving over speed bumps or small bumps, the suspension absorbs most of the vibrations, preventing excessive jolts. However, when taking corners quickly, the body lean becomes quite noticeable. After all, this is a family car, and handling is not its main focus. The steering is relatively light, making urban parking and U-turns effortless, though there’s some slack at high speeds, requiring frequent corrections to maintain direction.

Fuel efficiency is a key highlight, with an official combined fuel consumption of 4.4L/100km. During this test drive, which was mainly city commuting including congested roads and a small amount of highway driving, the actual fuel consumption was around 5.2L/100km. This performance is excellent, and with a 33L fuel tank, a full tank can cover over 600 kilometers, reducing the need for frequent refueling. As for noise control, the engine noise at low speeds is not significant, but once the RPM exceeds 3000, the engine noise becomes fairly noticeable inside the cabin. At high speeds, wind noise and tire noise also increase, but these are within normal levels for this price range. In terms of safety features, it comes equipped with dual airbags and ISO FIX anchors, meeting basic safety needs; however, it lacks a rearview camera or parking sensors, which might require new drivers to adapt more when parking.

In summary, the 2018 Perodua Axia Standard E 1.0 MT has very clear core advantages: extremely low price, notable features (keyless entry/start), excellent fuel consumption, and sufficient space for its class. Compared to the same class Proton Saga Standard, while the Saga offers slightly more space, the Axia is nearly RM 3000 cheaper, and Perodua has better maintenance costs and reliability reputation. It's very suitable for specific groups of people: budget-conscious new drivers, urban commuting office workers, or as a second family car for daily errands. If you're looking for a car that is "usable, worry-free, and affordable," this is arguably one of the best choices in this price range.