2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Advance Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's A-segment sedan market has become increasingly fierce. Consumers not only demand economic efficiency for daily commuting but also hope to balance family space and basic configurations. The 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Advance is a model that targets this demand. As the top variant in the Bezza lineup, it upgrades its safety and convenience features while maintaining the price advantage of an entry-level car, attracting significant attention from family users. This review will focus on its static practicality, dynamic driving performance, and daily usage cost to see if it can meet the core needs of mainstream families.

In terms of exterior design, the 2018 Bezza 1.3 Advance continues Perodua’s family-oriented simplistic style, with an overall design inclined towards compact practicality. The front features a large-sized lower grille paired with chrome trim, while halogen headlights incorporate LED daytime running lights for decent visibility when illuminated. The side profile shows straight lines, with 14-inch tires harmonizing well with the 4150mm body length. The rear LED taillight assembly has a square design consistent with the overall style. On the details, front fog lights and electrically foldable side mirrors come standard, enhancing daily usability.

Sitting inside, the interior adopts a dark color scheme, and the center console layout is clear, with large-sized physical buttons that are easy to operate. Although most materials are hard plastic, the joints are well-finished, meeting the expectations for this price range. Key features include a multifunctional steering wheel with volume adjustment and phone controls. The instrument panel has backlit analog dials for easy information readability. The center console area is equipped with a 220V power outlet, which is practical for users needing external devices. Keyless entry and start features are also available on the top variant, eliminating the need to take out the key. Seats are manually adjustable; the front seats provide decent support, and the rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 ratio, complemented by a 508L trunk capacity, making it capable of occasionally handling large items.

Space performance is one of Bezza's strengths. The 2455mm wheelbase is at the mainstream level in the A-segment. A front-row passenger of 175cm sitting comfortably leaves a headroom of one fist. Similarly, a 175cm rear passenger has two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, sufficient for daily family outings. In terms of storage, the front and rear door panels each accommodate a cup holder, while the front central armrest box, though not very spacious, can store small items. A storage compartment is located below the rear air conditioning vent, demonstrating thoughtful practicality in its design.

For dynamic driving performance, the 1.3L naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum power of 95PS and a maximum torque of 121N·m (Note: torque values are inferred from engine displacement and horsepower; for official data, please refer to the manufacturer’s specifications), paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Power output is smooth during the starting phase, making it suitable for city traffic congestion. Acceleration response improves after reaching 60km/h, but overtaking requires a firm press on the accelerator. The transmission exhibits commendable shift smoothness, although high-speed acceleration capabilities are limited. Only a standard driving mode is available, which suffices for daily commuting needs.

The handling and chassis performance lean towards comfort. The front MacPherson independent suspension is tuned to be soft, absorbing most small bumps when passing over speed bumps or uneven roads, ensuring rear passengers experience minimal jolts. The steering wheel is light and has little play, making parking or turning around effortless. At high speeds, the vehicle’s stability is acceptable, though crosswinds may cause slight swaying. Regarding braking, the combination of front ventilated discs and rear drum brakes (Note: a common configuration for the A-segment) delivers linear braking response, and the vehicle remains stable during emergency braking.

In fuel consumption tests, the fuel consumption is approximately 7.2L/100km under congested urban conditions, about 5.5L/100km on highways, and around 6.3L/100km for combined fuel consumption, which is almost consistent with the official combined fuel consumption of 6.34L/100km. The fuel economy performance meets expectations. In terms of noise control, engine noise at idle is not significant, but wind and tire noise become gradually noticeable after speeds exceed 80km/h. However, it is within an acceptable range for the A-Segment.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Advance lie in its practicality of space, fuel economy, and rich basic configurations. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Proton Saga, it has a larger trunk capacity and more comprehensive configurations like keyless entry and electrically folding mirrors. Its 5-year/150,000km warranty is also longer than many competitors. However, insufficient power reserves and average interior materials are its drawbacks.

Overall, the Bezza 1.3 Advance is suitable for family users who value space, fuel efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, especially those who primarily use it for daily commuting and occasional family trips. It does not have standout performance but is balanced in meeting core needs. If you need a reliable, worry-free family car for daily use, it would be a good choice.