2021 Perodua Ativa 1.0L Turbo AV 2-Tone Review

The B-Segment SUV market has been gaining traction locally in recent years, where consumers not only desire the agile handling provided by a compact body but also value the high seating position and off-road capability of an SUV. As the first model by the domestic brand Perodua built on the DNGA platform, the 2021 Ativa 1.0L Turbo AV 2-Tone has attracted considerable attention since its launch with its "compact size yet spacious interior" and comprehensive intelligent features. This time, we got the actual vehicle to focus on testing its daily practicality, performance, and safety configurations to see if it truly lives up to its claims and whether it can establish itself in the competitive same-segment market.

In terms of appearance, the design of the Ativa AV 2-Tone is relatively distinctive among B-Segment SUVs. The front end adopts Perodua's family-style "Dynamic Shield" design language, featuring a large trapezoidal grille with chrome accents. The LED headlight clusters on both sides are connected to the grille, visually widening the front. The body side exhibits smooth lines, while the 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels correspond with the black roof and black rearview mirror caps of the 2-Tone version, delivering just the right amount of sportiness. At the rear, the highlight is the LED tail lights with a connected design, which offer high recognizability when lit. The silver skid plate at the bottom enhances the rugged SUV vibe. Overall, the design is youthful and trendy, aligning with mainstream aesthetics.

Stepping inside, the interior layout of the Ativa AV is simple and straightforward, predominantly featuring black as the main color, complemented by silver trims for a touch of refinement, offering a decent sense of quality among vehicles in this price range. The upper part of the center console is wrapped in soft-touch material, which feels delicate to the touch. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system serves as the visual centerpiece, delivering acceptable smoothness in operation and supporting Bluetooth, USB, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The 7-inch TFT multifunction instrument panel is clear and offers switchable themes, capable of displaying real-time information such as fuel consumption, speed, and driving assistance system status. In terms of features, keyless entry/start, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors, and a front 220V power outlet are all included, which are convenient for daily use. However, it is worth noting that although the air conditioning system features digital controls with memory functions, it is essentially a manually controlled air conditioner rather than automatic climate control, which might be a slight drawback for users seeking ultimate comfort.

In terms of space, the Ativa's body dimensions are 4065mm×1710mm×1635mm, and the wheelbase measures 2525mm, which is considered average within the B-Segment SUV category. The front seats support manual 6-way adjustment, and with my height of 175cm adjusted to a comfortable driving position, there is still one fist and two fingers of headroom. Rear-legroom offers about two fists of space, with one fist of headroom, making it suitable for everyday family use. The rear row comes equipped with air conditioning vents and two USB ports, showcasing thoughtful attention to detail. The trunk space provides a standard capacity of 303L, which can be expanded to 369L after folding the rear seats, enough to accommodate two 28-inch suitcases and some miscellaneous items, offering practical utility.

In terms of the powertrain, the Ativa is equipped with a 1.0L three-cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power output of 98PS/6000rpm and a maximum torque of 140N·m/2400-4000rpm, paired with a CVT gearbox. During actual driving, the power response is quite lively at the initial stage, and the acceleration feeling noticeably improves once the turbo kicks in (around 2000rpm), which is more than sufficient for daily city commuting. When you press the accelerator hard, the CVT gearbox simulates gear shifts. Although it lacks the crispness of an automatic transmission, it performs well in terms of smoothness. In eco mode, power output becomes milder, making it suitable for daily cruising. In sport mode, the throttle response is more sensitive, providing more confidence when overtaking. The chassis uses a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension combination, with tuning oriented towards comfort. It absorbs most of the bumps when crossing speed bumps or uneven roads, though rear passengers may feel slight residual vibrations. The steering wheel has moderate weight and minimal slack, and body roll is well controlled during cornering. Overall, its handling ranks above average among SUVs in the same class.

In this test, we also focused on fuel consumption. The combined fuel consumption after driving roughly 100km each on city roads and highways came to around 5.5L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 5.29L/100km. However, considering that the air conditioning and sport mode were used during testing, this result is already excellent. In terms of safety features, the Ativa AV comes standard with six airbags, an ESP stability system, lane change assist, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, and a range of ADAS driver assistance functions, making it extremely comprehensive compared to other models in the same price range. Regarding noise control, in idle state, the cabin noise is minimal. At speeds below 60km/h, tire and wind noise are also not noticeable. When driving over 100km/h, wind noise increases but remains within an acceptable range.

Overall, the 2021 Perodua Ativa 1.0L Turbo AV 2-Tone performs in a very balanced manner. Compared to competitors in the same class like the Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross, it offers a pricing advantage and more abundant configurations, especially with safety features almost maxed out. Its space performance is average, its power sufficient, and its fuel economy commendable, making it very suitable for families who prioritize cost-effectiveness and safety features or young people just starting their careers. If you are looking for a small SUV that's easy to drive, worry-free, and well-equipped, the Ativa AV 2-Tone is absolutely worth considering.