2021 Perodua Ativa 1.0L Turbo H Special Metallic Review

In the past two years, the competition in the B-Segment SUV market in Malaysia has become increasingly fierce. Consumers value practicality in space when choosing a car and have higher expectations for power and intelligent configurations. As Perodua's first B-Segment SUV, the 2021 Ativa 1.0L Turbo H Special Metallic has attracted attention since its launch with its high cost-performance ratio and rich safety features. This time, we obtained the H Special Metallic version for a test drive. The main purpose is to verify whether its static performance meets family needs and whether its dynamic driving can balance daily commuting with occasional outdoor trips, while also assessing whether its configuration advantages truly stand out among competitors in the same class.

The Ativa features a youthful and sporty design, with its overall lines sharp and not bulky. The front face adopts a large trapezoidal grille decorated with chrome trim, paired with a black lower surround that runs across the bottom, providing a high level of recognition. The car's side showcases a standard SUV profile, with waistlines extending from the front to the rear, complemented by 17-inch alloy wheels (tire specification 205/60 R17), giving it a spirited visual effect. The LED taillights at the rear adopt the currently trending through-style design, which stands out when lit. The silver skid plate below the rear bumper adds a bit of an off-road feel. The lighting system is a highlight, with all models standard equipped with LED headlights, daytime running lights, and automatic headlights. Fog lights are also not missing, and in actual use, the lighting effect is sufficient for daily commuting. The automatic headlights can switch promptly in tunnels or at dusk, offering great convenience.

Stepping into the cabin, Ativa’s interior layout is simple and straightforward. The main materials used are hard plastics, but with silver trim and piano lacquer panel decorations, it doesn’t appear overly cheap. The most noticeable feature in the central control area is the 9-inch touchscreen, which has decent operational fluidity and supports basic functions such as Bluetooth and USB connection, though the interface logic takes some time to adapt to. The instrument panel consists of a 7-inch TFT multifunction display, capable of showing information such as speed, fuel consumption, and the status of driver assistance systems, with clear and easily readable data. As for configurations, the H Special Metallic version is quite sincere: standard features include keyless entry and start, rain-sensing wipers, and electrically folding mirrors. The front row manual air conditioning comes with digital controls and memory function, making it more convenient as you don’t have to repeatedly twist knobs to adjust the temperature. The addition of a 220V/230V power outlet is also practical, allowing you to charge laptops or small appliances without needing an extra inverter.

Space performance is the most critical point for family users. Ativa’s body dimensions are 4065mm×1710mm×1635mm, with a wheelbase of 2525mm, making it a mid-sized model within the B-Segment SUV category. After adjusting the front seats to a comfortable sitting position, there’s a headroom of one fist and two fingers remaining for a 175cm tall passenger, with ample legroom. The rear seat space is reasonable as well, offering one fist of legroom and one fist and one finger of headroom for passengers of the same height, sufficient for daily family use. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding design, and when folded down, the trunk volume can expand from 303L to a much larger space, easily accommodating a baby stroller or suitcase. In terms of storage, the door panels can fit two bottles of mineral water, the storage compartment below the center console can hold a phone or wallet, and there are pockets at the back of the front seats. These thoughtful details enhance practicality.

Powertrain-wise, the Ativa is equipped with a 1.0L three-cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 98 PS and a peak torque of 140 N·m (data based on official ratings), paired with a CVT transmission. In actual driving, the power response is quite active during the initial stage; with a gentle press of the accelerator, you can feel the power output. It handles well for city driving, whether following other cars or overtaking. When switched to Sport mode, the throttle sensitivity increases, and the RPM stays within the torque platform range of 2400-4000rpm, making acceleration more direct. However, the smoothness of the CVT gearbox remains consistent without noticeable jerks. On highways, when the speed exceeds 100km/h and you try to accelerate further, the power reserve feels slightly insufficient, requiring deeper throttle inputs to achieve a noticeable sense of acceleration.

In terms of handling, the Ativa's steering wheel has relatively light feedback, making it suitable for urban commuting. The directional precision is decent, with not much play. The chassis features a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, tuned more towards comfort. When encountering speed bumps or minor bumps in the city, the suspension absorbs most of the vibrations, ensuring that rear passengers won't feel too jostled. However, when driving on consecutive rough roads, the rear suspension tends to bounce more, reducing comfort. During cornering, the body roll is well-controlled, not giving a swaying feeling, and the stability during daily driving is not an issue.

The fuel consumption performance is one of Ativa's strengths, with an official fuel economy rating of 5.29L/100km. In our test drive, which mainly involved urban commuting with occasional highway driving, the measured fuel consumption was about 5.8L/100km. Considering it has a turbocharged engine, this performance is excellent and appealing for users who prioritize fuel efficiency. Regarding safety features, the H Special Metallic variant comes standard with 6 airbags, ABS, vehicle stability control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, as well as front sensors and rearview camera. These features provide considerable assurance during daily parking or driving.

As for driving comfort details, the seats in the Ativa are relatively well-padded. The manually adjustable front seats make it easy to find a comfortable seating position, and long drives won't feel too tiring. In terms of noise control, the cabin is relatively quiet below the speed of 60km/h, with minimal tire and wind noise. However, as the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise gradually increases, though it remains within an acceptable range and doesn't interfere with normal conversations. The engine start-stop technology is smoothly integrated, without noticeable vibrations, and the hill assist function is particularly practical for starting on slopes or in underground parking, eliminating the worry of rollback.

In conclusion, the 2021 Perodua Ativa 1.0L Turbo H Special Metallic has clear core advantages: its abundant safety features are among the top in its class, it boasts excellent fuel economy, offers space that meets daily family needs, and comes at a very competitive price (RM 67,800). Compared to competitors like the Honda HR-V or the Toyota Corolla Cross, the Ativa is better equipped yet significantly cheaper, making it very cost-effective. However, it does have some shortcomings, such as insufficient power at high speed and an interior that feels slightly plasticky. Nevertheless, these drawbacks are acceptable for budget-conscious family users.

This car is best suited for family users who value cost-effectiveness and safety features, especially for those who primarily use it for city commuting on a daily basis and occasionally take their family on weekend outings to the suburbs. It offers a rich range of smart features and safety assurances without requiring a large expenditure. The space and fuel consumption also meet family usage needs. If your budget is around RM70,000 and you're looking for a worry-free, practical B-Segment SUV, the Ativa H Special Metallic is worth considering.