2019 Perodua Axia Style 1.0 AT Review

The A-segment market in Malaysia has always been the main battleground for commuters, with consumers primarily valuing fuel economy, reliability, and value for money—after all, when navigating through congested urban areas daily, a small car that's easy to drive and worry-free is more practical than anything else. The 2019 Perodua Axia Style 1.0 AT, as a popular choice in this segment, is the focus of our test drive to evaluate whether its design upgrades, daily practicality, and dynamic performance can meet the core needs of urban users.

In terms of appearance, the Axia Style version is noticeably more distinctive than the standard version. The front features a large black honeycomb grille, accented with chrome trim. The front headlight assembly uses halogen bulbs but includes LED daytime running lights, creating a more refined visual effect when illuminated. The body side lines are simple, and the 15-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels (tire size 175/60 R15) are exclusive to the Style version, giving a sportier feel compared to the basic model’s steel wheels. At the rear, the taillights also incorporate LED elements, and the black bumper trim and chrome decorative strip below the rear bumper add some flair, ensuring the overall design isn't overly plain. Overall, the design still leans towards practicality without too many flashy elements, in line with the positioning of an A-segment small car.

Inside, the interior is primarily black, with silver accents to enhance the texture. The center console layout is clear, and the large physical buttons are easy to operate—very user-friendly, especially for drivers who frequently rely on tactile control while driving. In terms of features, the Style version comes standard with keyless entry and start system, eliminating the need to search for keys. There’s a 220V/230V power outlet in the front row, which is convenient for occasionally charging a laptop or small appliances. The seats are manually adjustable and made of fabric, offering decent support. They might feel a bit firm for long trips but are fine for daily short commutes. The rear seats can be split and folded down, increasing the trunk capacity from 260 liters, making it suitable for carrying larger items like strollers or suitcases.

Space is one of the Axia's strengths. With a wheelbase of 2,455mm, a front-seat passenger standing 175cm tall can sit with about a fist worth of headroom, while the rear provides about two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom for a passenger of the same height. For an A-segment vehicle, this space performance is already excellent. There are plenty of storage compartments—the front door panels can hold two water bottles, there’s a small storage slot below the center console for items like a phone or wallet, and there’s storage space in the rear door panels, as well as a cup holder in the middle, fully meeting daily usage needs.

In terms of power, it is equipped with a 1.0L naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 69PS and a maximum torque of 91Nm (@4400rpm), paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, the car starts smoothly, and the gearbox shifts with minimal lag at low speeds; however, once you accelerate beyond 80km/h, the power reserves are somewhat lacking. Overtaking requires stepping hard on the accelerator, with the transmission taking a moment to downshift. That said, this power setup is more than sufficient for urban commuting, considering most time is spent driving below 60km/h. The fuel efficiency is impressive, with an official combined fuel consumption of 4.8L/100km. During our test drive of approximately 100km on urban congested roads, the actual fuel consumption was about 5.2L/100km. On highways, it could drop to 4.5L/100km, showcasing excellent fuel economy.

In terms of handling and chassis, the front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, and the rear suspension is a torsion beam non-independent suspension. The steering wheel is light and makes parking or U-turns very easy, which is suitable for female drivers. The chassis is tuned for comfort, handling speed bumps or small jolts in the city quite well and filtering them thoroughly without harsh impacts. However, when driving on continuous bumpy roads, the rear seats might feel a bit shaky. Cornering performance is average, with manageable body roll and sufficient suspension support for daily use, but it's not meant for spirited driving—after all, this is a commuter car.

In terms of ride comfort, noise control is at an average level for an A-segment car. At low speeds, engine noise is not noticeable, but once the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind and tire noises gradually increase, though they remain within an acceptable range. The seat comfort is average, with breathable fabric material, but the lumbar support is insufficient, making long-distance rides potentially tiring. The air conditioning is manually controlled and cools quickly, with air vents for both the front and rear seats, so even rear-seat passengers can enjoy the cool air.

In terms of safety features, the Style variant comes standard with ABS, electronic stability control, dual airbags, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. Rear parking sensors are also standard—even though there’s no reverse camera, the sensors are sufficient for such a small car. Overall, the safety configuration is mainstream for cars in its class and meets everyday safety needs.

Compared to competing models like the Proton Saga or Toyota Vios E, the Axia Style 1.0 AT has advantages such as lower fuel consumption, more spacious interior, and a more affordable price (RM 38,890). The Proton Saga has better power but slightly higher fuel consumption. The Toyota Vios has higher brand prestige but is considerably more expensive. Among the three, the Axia offers the best value for money.

In summary, the 2019 Perodua Axia Style 1.0 AT is a very suitable commuter car for city driving. Its advantages are clear: spacious interior, fuel efficiency, practical features, affordable price, and Perodua's well-established after-sales network in Malaysia, along with low maintenance costs. It is suitable for recent graduates, families looking for a second car, or office workers who frequently travel around the city. If you need a reliable, worry-free, and cost-effective small car, the Axia Style variant is worth considering.