2019 Perodua Aruz 1.5 X Review

The B-segment 7-seater SUV market has consistently remained popular locally. Most family users need sufficient seating space while also wanting to control their budget. The 2019 Perodua Aruz 1.5 X is designed to meet these needs. As Perodua's first 7-seater SUV, it focuses on rich active safety features and balanced space performance as its core selling points. This test drive primarily evaluates its 7-seat practicality, power performance, and whether its safety features are truly suitable for daily use scenarios.

In terms of exterior design, the Aruz 1.5 X adopts a rugged style overall, with a trapezoidal front grille paired with a silver skid plate, giving it a high degree of recognition. The side profile features straight lines, and the 17-inch wheels are well-matched to its 4435mm length. Black plastic cladding on the side skirts and wheel arches enhances the SUV's rugged feel. The rear LED taillights use a through-type design, connected in the middle by a chrome strip, providing clear visual effects when illuminated. The headlights and daytime running lights are both LED, offering sufficient brightness at night and meeting mainstream standards for this price range.

Inside the car, the interior primarily uses dark gray as the color scheme. The dashboard adopts a layered design, with the upper portion made of hard plastic and the lower portion wrapped in soft materials with faux leather textures, offering a reasonable tactile feel. The center console screen is of moderate size; although it doesn’t support touch functionality, the physical buttons and knobs offer smooth operation, and the system response speed meets daily use requirements. The multifunctional steering wheel includes buttons for volume adjustment, answering calls, etc., with a clear operational logic. For seating, the driver’s seat is manually adjustable with decent support. The second-row seats have a 60:40 split and fold function, and when adjusted appropriately, a 175cm passenger will have two fists of legroom. They can also recline manually. The third-row seats have a 50:50 split, suitable for children or short-distance rides for adults, with about one fist of headroom remaining. In terms of storage space, the front door panels can fit two bottles of mineral water, the central armrest box has moderate capacity, and both the second and third rows are equipped with cup holders. The luggage space is 213L in its standard configuration, which can expand to a larger capacity after folding the third row, sufficient for strollers or suitcases.

For the powertrain, the Aruz 1.5 X is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 103PS at 6000rpm and a maximum torque of 136N·m at 4200rpm, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, power output is smooth during the initial acceleration, making it suitable for congested urban roads. Upon reaching 60km/h, a deep press of the accelerator offers a certain pushback sensation, but highway overtakes require space to be planned ahead. The transmission has clear shifting logic, with smooth upshifts and slight hesitation during downshifts. The chassis uses front MacPherson independent suspension and rear solid-axle non-independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension absorbs most of the bumps effectively, ensuring rear passengers don’t experience significant jolts. Steering is light and has minimal dead zones, making U-turns or parking convenient. For braking, the pedal travel is moderate, the braking force is released linearly, and the car’s posture remains stable during emergency braking.

Safety features are a highlight of the Aruz 1.5 X, with standard equipment including six airbags, ABS, vehicle stability control, active braking, and forward collision warning. In our test drive simulating urban following scenarios, the system provided timely alerts and slight braking when the vehicle ahead braked suddenly, reducing the risk of rear-end collisions. As for fuel consumption, the urban fuel consumption is about 7.2L per 100km, highway consumption is about 5.8L per 100km, and combined fuel consumption is close to the official figure of 6.4L, showcasing good fuel efficiency. Regarding noise control, the vehicle remains relatively quiet below 60km/h, but wind and tire noise slightly increase beyond 80km/h, though it does not affect normal conversations.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2019 Perodua Aruz 1.5 X lie in its practical 7-seater space, comprehensive active safety features, and Perodua's consistent high cost-effectiveness. Compared to competitors in the same class like the Proton X70 1.5T or Honda BR-V, the Aruz offers more comprehensive safety features at a more affordable price. It is suitable for families with a budget of around RM70,000 who need a 7-seater vehicle, capable of handling daily commutes and short weekend trips. If you prioritize safety, space, and economy, the Aruz 1.5 X would be a good choice.