2022 Perodua Alza 1.5 X Review

As the demand for 7-seater vehicles among Malaysian households continues to grow, the competition in the B-segment 7-seater MPV market is becoming increasingly fierce. Users expect vehicles to be compact and easy to park while also offering practical space and adequate features. The 2022 Perodua Alza 1.5 X, as a popular contender in this segment, attracts considerable attention with its balanced spatial performance, advanced safety features uncommon in its class, and budget-friendly pricing. This time, we got the actual vehicle, and the main purpose is to test its real-world performance in daily household scenarios — is the space truly sufficient? Does the engine have enough power to carry seven people? Are the safety features practical?

Looking at the exterior, the 2022 Alza 1.5 X's design leans toward a combination of youthfulness and practicality. The front features a large trapezoidal lower grille, paired with slender LED headlight clusters. The fog lamp areas on both sides are accented with black trim, giving the vehicle a decent level of recognizability. The side profile features smooth lines extending from the front fender to the rear of the vehicle, preventing the body from appearing bulky. The 15-inch rims, although not large, paired with 185/65 R15 tires, balance comfort and fuel economy. At the rear, the horizontally-aligned LED taillights echo the design of the front, and the black trim on the lower rear bumper adds a touch of sportiness. The overall exterior design is not overly elaborate, consistent with its positioning as a family car.

Sitting inside, the interior predominantly features a dark gray color scheme, and the dashboard layout is simple and straightforward. In terms of materials, the top of the dashboard uses hard plastic, but textured detailing enhances its quality feel. The inner side of the door panels is wrapped in soft-touch materials, providing decent tactile sensation in areas frequently touched. On core configurations, it is equipped with a manual single-zone digital air conditioner with memory function, which is intuitive and easy to operate. The instrument cluster is an electronic illuminated analog design, displaying clear information such as RPM, speed, and fuel consumption at a glance. The front row includes 220V/230V power outlets for external devices, and rear air conditioning vents come as standard, ensuring comfort for rear passengers. Regarding seating, the front row seats are manually adjustable and offer good support, suitable for extended periods of sitting without causing fatigue. The second-row seats support 60:40 split-folding, one-touch folding, manual sliding, and reclining, which facilitates access for third-row passengers. The third-row seats are split 50:50 and can be folded down to expand the trunk space.

Space performance is one of the core strengths of the Alza 1.5 X. With dimensions of 4425mm×1730mm×1660mm and a wheelbase of 2750mm, it ranks among the best in its class. The front row offers ample seating space, and a 175cm tall passenger, when seated comfortably, still has about one fist's worth of headroom. In the second row, when the seats are slid to the rear-most position, legroom can reach two fists, making it suitable for three adults without feeling cramped. When slid to the front-most position, there is still one fist of legroom, allowing the third row to accommodate passengers under 165cm in height comfortably for short trips. The trunk offers a capacity of 498L in the 7-seater configuration, which can fit several carry-on suitcases. Folding down the third row significantly expands the storage space, enabling the transportation of large luggage to meet the needs of family trips. In terms of storage options, the door pockets, storage tray below the dashboard, and cup holders are all practical, making it easy to store small everyday items.

In terms of power, the Alza 1.5 X is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 106PS and maximum torque output at 4200rpm, paired with a CVT transmission. During actual driving, the start-up is relatively brisk, the power response at low RPMs is active, which is sufficient for daily city commuting. During acceleration, the CVT transmission performs smoothly without obvious jerking, but when pressing the accelerator deeply, there is a slight delay in power output. You need to wait until the RPM rises above 4000 before the torque is fully released, so overtaking requires some pre-planning. There are two driving modes: Eco and Normal. In Eco mode, the throttle response is gentler, suitable for congested urban roads, which can slightly reduce fuel consumption.

The handling and chassis performance align with its position as a family car. The steering wheel is light and precise enough, making daily parking and U-turns very easy. The front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, and while the rear suspension is likely a torsion beam (not explicitly stated in the spec sheet but common in similar-platform models), it is tuned for comfort. It handles bumpy urban roads well, filtering out most minor vibrations, and the impact over speed bumps is not too harsh. When cornering, the body roll is kept within reasonable limits, avoiding a floating feeling, providing decent stability. In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel economy is 5.29L/100km. During actual tests, fuel consumption in congested urban areas is around 6.5L, on highways about 5.0L, and the overall combined fuel consumption is approximately 5.8L/100km, showcasing decent fuel efficiency.

Safety features are a highlight of the Alza 1.5 X. It comes standard with 6 airbags (front dual airbags, side airbags, and front and rear curtain airbags), ABS, vehicle stability control, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, and hill assist, among others. These features are relatively rare in models of the same segment and provide comprehensive safety guarantees for family users. Regarding noise control, while driving in the city, engine noise and tire noise are not very noticeable. At high speeds, wind noise increases slightly but remains within acceptable limits, not affecting conversations inside the car. It shows that Perodua has made some optimizations in NVH.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2022 Perodua Alza 1.5 X lie in its balanced spatial performance, superior safety features, and affordable price (RM 62,500). Compared to other vehicles in the same segment, such as the Proton Exora, the Alza 1.5 X offers richer safety features, a longer wheelbase, and better spatial performance. Compared to the Toyota Veloz, it offers a more budget-friendly price and higher cost-effectiveness. It suits family users who value practical space and standard safety features, especially those who need a 7-seater vehicle but have a limited budget. It can meet the needs of daily city commuting and family outings, but if you often require full 7-person seating while driving on highways, the power may feel slightly inadequate.

In summary, although the 2022 Perodua Alza 1.5 X does not have standout features, its overall performance is well-balanced. Its space, safety, and fuel economy meet the needs of family use, making it a practical family MPV. If you are a budget-conscious family user, this car can be one of your choices for daily commuting and family travel.