2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT Review

2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT is a practical sedan with spacious interior, fuel efficiency, and affordable pricing, catering to the needs of daily family commutes and weekend outings.

RM 41,890

2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT

Segment

A-Segment

Body Type

Sedan

Capacity(L)

1.3

Engine Power(PS)

Transmission

Driven Wheels

Front Wheel Drive

View Perodua Bezza > View Full Specs >

Review

User Review

Specs

In the Malaysian A-Segment sedan market, practical and durable family cars have always been the main choice for consumers. Many family users hope for cars that can accommodate daily commuting economically, while offering enough space for weekend outings. As a popular local model, the 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT version has garnered attention with its balanced configuration and budget-friendly pricing. This time, we have acquired the actual vehicle, and the primary goal is to test whether it truly balances family needs in terms of static practicality and dynamic driving, and whether it has significant advantages compared to other models in the same segment.

In terms of exterior design, the 2018 Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT maintains Perodua's family-style simplicity. The front features a large-size grille adorned with chrome embellishments, while the halogen headlight units on both sides incorporate LED daytime running lights, giving it good recognition when illuminated. The side profile of the car features straight lines, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, making the body appear longer. The indented design at the bottom of the doors adds a touch of depth. At the rear, the split tail lights utilize LED sources, and the brand badge is embedded in the center of the trunk lid, with a chrome decorative strip at the bottom enhancing the overall refinement. Overall, the design of this vehicle isn't overly flashy, leaning more towards a stable and practical family-oriented aesthetic.

Inside the car, the interior uses black as the main color tone, and the dashboard is made of rigid plastic material, which is common at this price point. A multifunction steering wheel is standard, with buttons on the left side to control audio and answer calls, providing convenient operation. The instrument panel is backlit and analog-style, clearly displaying information such as RPM, speed, and fuel levels. The center console has a simple layout, equipped with a basic audio system and manual air conditioning. A 220V/230V power socket below is quite practical, making it convenient for rear passengers to charge their devices. The seats are fabric material, with manually adjustable front seats, and the rear seats support a 60:40 split fold, which is especially useful for expanding storage space.

In terms of space performance, the car's dimensions are 4150mm × 1620mm × 1510mm, with a wheelbase of 2455mm. When seated in the front row, a 175cm tall person has a fist of headroom leftover and sufficient legroom. The rear seats provide about two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, which is enough for the daily transport of four family members. The trunk offers a capacity of 508 liters, which can accommodate two 20-inch suitcases and a few backpacks in its default state. Folding down the rear seats allows for longer items, such as baby strollers or foldable bicycles. The interior also has a good number of storage compartments, including a central armrest box in the front row, door panel storage slots, and rear cup holders, all suitable for storing small items.

As for performance, this car is equipped with a 1.3L naturally aspirated engine, offering a maximum power of 95PS/6000rpm and a maximum torque of 121N·m/4000rpm, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, the initial power on startup is relatively smooth, which is suitable for urban traffic conditions. After accelerating to 60km/h, the power response becomes more active, and pressing down on the accelerator during overtaking delivers a noticeable thrust. The transmission has a clear shifting logic and minimal jerking. The car only has a standard driving mode, but it is sufficient for daily commuting needs.

The handling and chassis performance are decent. The front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension is a torsion beam non-independent suspension. On smooth city roads, the chassis does a good job of filtering out minor bumps. When going over speed bumps or uneven roads, the rear passengers might feel slight vibrations, but it is within an acceptable range. The steering wheel is light, making it suitable for female drivers. During cornering, the body roll is not obvious, and the stability is good. In terms of braking, the front ventilated disc brakes respond promptly, and the body stays stable during emergency braking. The braking distance meets the average level for this class.

In the fuel consumption test, we drove 100 km in urban traffic and 100 km on highways, resulting in a combined fuel consumption of about 6.5L/100 km, which is close to the official figure of 6.34L/100 km. The fuel efficiency is quite good. As for noise control, within a speed of 60 km/h, the interior noise mainly comes from the tires. When the speed exceeds 80 km/h, wind noise becomes noticeable, but it does not interfere with normal conversations. The seat comfort is relatively good, with breathable fabric material that prevents it from becoming stuffy during long periods of sitting.

Overall, the key strengths of the 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT are its practical space, fuel efficiency, and affordable pricing. Compared to the Proton Saga of the same class, it has a larger trunk and more practical rear seat folding functionality. Compared to the Toyota Vios, it is more reasonably priced and has a more balanced configuration. This car is suitable for families prioritizing space and economy, especially for those needing a vehicle for daily commuting and weekend family trips.

In conclusion, the 2018 Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT is a pragmatic family sedan with no significant weaknesses but balanced performance in all aspects. If you are in need of a reliable, fuel-efficient, and spacious vehicle for commuting, it will be a good choice.

Pros

Reliable and worry-free performance, 1.3L naturally aspirated engine paired with AT gearbox provides smooth shifting with no jerking, sufficient for daily commuting and outings

Excellent fuel efficiency, about 6.5L/100km in urban areas and 5.8L on highways, saving costs amid fuel price fluctuations

Timeless exterior design, high-recognition LED headlights, sleek body lines, and durable paintwork

Cons

The chrome trim on the front end is too eye-catching, giving an abrupt visual effect under strong sunlight

The interior contains many plastic parts, and the hard plastics on the dashboard and other areas look cheap

When fully loaded with 5 people climbing a hill, the power is slightly insufficient, and it requires downshifting in advance

Overall Rating

4.5

Excellent

From 5 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.6 / 5

Interior Design

4.4 / 5

Safety

4.6 / 5

Exterior Design

4.6 / 5

Showing 5 reviews

5 Excellent

CircuitDriver

Owner of 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT

As the owner of the 2018 Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT, after driving it for almost five years, it has truly been a worry-free small car for daily commuting and weekend trips in Malaysia. Appearance gets 4 stars—The overall design is fairly pleasing, and the LED headlights have a decent level of recognizability in KL's evening traffic. The lines of the rear end are also more sleek compared to the old Myvi. However, the chrome strip on the front is a bit too shiny, and sometimes under the bright sun, it feels a bit "flashy." It would be better if it were a bit more understated. As for performance, I give it a full 5 stars! The 1.3L naturally aspirated engine is more than sufficient for local use—heading from PJ to the Twin Towers in the morning traffic is smooth, and the AT gearbox operates with minimal jerking. When taking my family to Batu Caves at the foot of Genting Highlands on weekends, stepping on the gas a bit harder while climbing hills can still keep up with traffic without feeling sluggish. The most surprising thing is the fuel consumption; in the city, it’s around 6.5L/100km, and on the highway, it can drop to about 5.8. With Malaysia's fluctuating fuel prices, this fuel efficiency really saves quite a bit of money. The interior also gets 4 stars—The layout of the center console is very intuitive, and the multifunctional steering wheel makes adjusting the volume and changing songs very convenient. Although the leather seats are manually adjustable, they remain comfortable even during long drives (such as highway trips to Malacca). However, there’s quite a bit of plastic, especially on the panel in front of the passenger seat. It feels a bit hard to the touch, and adding some padding would make it more comfortable. Overall, as an A-segment small car, it is really practical on Malaysian roads, and the value for money is excellent!

5 Excellent

Prius4

Owner of 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT

As the owner of a 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT, after driving in Malaysia for nearly five years, I truly feel that this car was the right choice! Let’s talk about the appearance first, I would definitely give it a full score of 5 without hesitation. The design of the Bezza is outstanding among the A-segment cars, especially the LED daytime running lights on the front. They are particularly eye-catching in Kuala Lumpur’s traffic during the day, and highly recognizable when driving at night. The lines at the rear are very smooth, without the cramped look of some small cars. When parked under my apartment, my neighbor even asked if it was a new car—it's actually been driven for a long time, yet the paintwork still shines. The craftsmanship of Perodua is truly outstanding. Next, let’s talk about the performance, and again, full marks! Everyone knows how the roads are in Malaysia, with traffic jams during rush hour near KLCC being completely congested. The Bezza’s 1.3L naturally aspirated engine paired with the AT transmission is very smooth when starting and following traffic, never jerky, and even during traffic jams, my foot doesn’t get tired. On weekends, I take my family to Genting Highlands, and the power during uphill drives is sufficient, never feeling sluggish. Plus, the fuel consumption is only 6.34L/100km, which is very economical given Malaysia’s high fuel prices. When I drive around the Klang Valley area for leisure, it remains stable even at 110km/h on highways. The steering wheel doesn't feel light, and the cornering support is also decent. In conclusion, the Bezza’s performance on Malaysian roads exceeds expectations. With its attractive appearance and reliable performance, it’s perfectly suited as a family car!

5 Excellent

CayenneS

Owner of 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT

As the owner of the 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT, I’ve been driving it for almost two years, and I really need to praise its appearance! Although it's an A-segment small car, the design doesn't look cheap at all — the chrome trim on the front combined with the LED daytime running lights gives it a spirited look in KL's morning traffic. The lines on the rear are also sleek, and the 508L large trunk is not only practical but also gives it a solid and steady appearance. Every time I park it downstairs at the apartment, I feel like "our little car also has style"~ In terms of performance, I’d rate it 4 out of 5. It’s more than good enough for daily driving. The 1.3L naturally aspirated engine handles Malaysia’s city roads quite effortlessly, and for overtaking on the LDP highway, as long as you're willing to push the accelerator, the torque comes up fairly quickly after the RPM hits 4000. However, being a small car, when carrying 5 passengers uphill to Genting Highlands, the power does feel a bit "weak," so you need to downshift in advance. But then again, with a fuel consumption of 6.34L that can be kept around 7L even in heavy traffic in PJ city, a full tank lasts over a week, which is really friendly for commuters~ Overall, for the price range, I’m already very satisfied with its performance!

5 Excellent

LC500

Owner of 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT

Here's the translation of the content into English while retaining your original HTML formatting: As the owner of a 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT who has been driving in Malaysia for almost 5 years, what reassures me the most is its safety performance, which deserves a full score! Highways in Malaysia (such as the North-South Expressway) often have sudden situations. One time, on the way back to Kuala Lumpur from Penang, the car in front suddenly braked. I immediately stepped on the brakes, and the ABS intervened in time, stopping steadily without a collision—later, I read the manual and realized that the standard ABS and dual airbags were not just ornamental. While driving in city traffic in Kuala Lumpur, the front and rear sensors are also very sensitive, avoiding several potential scrapes with motorcycles. For us who frequently drive in the city, this feature is incredibly practical. In terms of appearance, I would give it 4 points. Overall, it has a more attractive and practical design for a family car. Among local A-segment compact cars, the streamlined body of the Bezza is considered refined, and the LED headlights are bright enough for driving on rural roads at night (such as trips to fruit orchards in Selangor). However, if I had to point out a drawback, it would be the somewhat average design of the rear, which occasionally feels less "eye-catching" after a long time of use—but on second thought, as a daily commuter, practicality is more important than a flashy look, so this rating is still reasonable.

5 Excellent

TacomaTRD

Owner of 2018 Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT

As the owner of the 2018 Bezza 1.3 Premium X AT, having driven it for almost 5 years, here’s my take on how it performs in everyday life in Malaysia~ I would give the interior 4 points. Considering the price range, there’s definitely a plastic feel, but Perodua has put in the effort— the multifunction steering wheel feels good to hold, button layout is intuitive, and I can adjust the volume or skip tracks without looking down. The 60:40 split-fold rear seats are very practical. Last time, when I took my family to Genting, I managed to fit 3 large suitcases and a hiking bag with no problem. However, the hard plastic dashboard does look a bit cheap, but it doesn’t cause much trouble in daily use overall. It’s “good enough and practical.” Performance also gets 4 points. The 1.3L naturally aspirated engine is just right for driving in Kuala Lumpur city. During the morning rush hour on Jalan Ampang, the throttle response is quick, and starting or following another car doesn’t feel sluggish. On weekends, driving on highways in Selangor, acceleration up to 100km/h feels steady, though beyond that, the power weakens slightly. However, since most highways in Malaysia have a speed limit of 110km/h, it is sufficient. The fuel efficiency is a real advantage—6.3L/100km. Adding RM50 worth of fuel lasts me a whole week, which is super friendly for commuters. Safety deserves a full 5 points! Last year I experienced a minor rear-end accident in Petaling Jaya. The front of the car had slight scratches, but the airbags didn’t deploy (the 4S shop later said the impact wasn’t strong enough), and the body frame was quite sturdy. The parking sensors are very sensitive; in Kuala Lumpur’s narrow alleys, the beeping sound while parallel parking is very timely, and I’ve never scratched the car. Additionally, there’s an ISOFIX interface, so my kid’s car seat clicks in securely, making outings with the kid especially reassuring. For this price range, with standard dual airbags and front and rear parking sensors, Perodua hasn’t skimped on safety, which is really commendable! Overall, as an A-segment small car, it performs well for traffic jams, commuting, and the occasional short trip in Malaysia. The value for money is really worth it!