2023 Neta V Review

In the entry-level pure electric vehicle market in Malaysia, models priced around RM100,000 have always been the focus for family users—meeting the daily commuting range needs while considering safety configurations and practical space. The 2023 Neta V is precisely targeting this niche market. With standard features such as six airbags, a HUD head-up display, and an official range of 384km, it aims to stand out among competitors in the same price segment. Through this actual test drive, we focus on evaluating its practical space, power response, and configuration experience to see if it is truly suitable for Malaysian family users.

From the exterior, the Neta V adopts a simple design style for pure electric vehicles. The closed front grille paired with through-type LED daytime running lights gives it a distinctive look. The side profile features smooth lines, and the 16-inch wheels perfectly match the body proportions without appearing small. The smoked taillights at the rear echo the design of the front, giving it an overall youthful yet understated appearance. When used for daily commutes and parked on the roadside, it doesn't look out of place. The lighting system is fully equipped with LED lights, including automatic headlights and front fog lights, which are highly practical in Malaysia's variable weather.

Stepping inside, the first thing that catches the eye is the 12-inch central touch screen with a clear interface layout and decent operating fluency, making daily navigation and air conditioning adjustments convenient. The interior materials are mainly hard plastics, but the stitching at the joints is well-controlled, giving no obvious sense of cheapness. The steering wheel features a multifunctional design, with the left side controlling multimedia and the right side adjusting driving assistance, manageable even via blind operation. The highlight in terms of features is the HUD head-up display, which can show speed and navigation information, reducing the need to frequently check the dashboard. The front seats support electric adjustment, making it friendly for drivers of different heights. The rear seats can fold down in a 60:40 split, offering flexibility when occasionally needing to load larger items.

In terms of space, the Neta V has a wheelbase of 2,420mm. After adjusting the front seats to a suitable position, there's about a fist's width of legroom left for the rear passengers, comfortably accommodating two adults. However, the slightly raised middle floor could make sitting in the middle seat uncomfortable for extended periods. The trunk offers a volume of 335L, sufficient to place two 20-inch suitcases and some miscellaneous items. When the rear seats are folded down, the space expands, making it possible to transport small furniture. As for details, the front armrest box and door panel storage compartments are quite practical, and the rear seats have air conditioning vents, ensuring that passengers in the back are not too hot during the summer.

In terms of power, the Neta V is equipped with an electric motor that delivers a maximum of 96 PS and 160 N·m of torque. While the parameters are not particularly outstanding, the actual driving experience feels quite responsive. Pressing down the accelerator during a start-off brings direct power response, making it very nimble during low-speed city driving, with overtaking and changing lanes being effortless. When switched to Sport mode, the acceleration feels more pronounced, but after the speed exceeds 80 km/h, the acceleration becomes less forceful, requiring some buffer for overtaking on highways. The chassis uses a front MacPherson and rear torsion beam combination, which is tuned more towards comfort. It can filter out most bumps when passing speed bumps, but there is noticeable body roll during quick cornering, making it more suitable for smooth driving.

Range testing is a crucial aspect of pure electric vehicles. We drove equal distances in Malaysia's urban areas and highways, running the air conditioning and listening to music throughout the trip. The final range achievement rate was about 80%, meaning that out of the official 384km range, it could realistically cover just over 300km. For daily commutes of 50km, charging once a week is entirely sufficient. Fast charging supposedly takes 8 hours? That seems like a mistake; upon checking the specifications more carefully, the official fast charging should be 30%-80% within about 30 minutes. However, in our test using a home charger, it took about 7-8 hours to charge from 20% to full. Just plug it in at night, and it will be fully charged by the next morning—which is very convenient.

In terms of driving assistance configuration, the Neta V is equipped as standard with lane departure warning, active braking, and forward collision warning. During actual testing, the lane departure warning issues an alert when the vehicle crosses a line, and the active braking intervenes in urban areas when the vehicle ahead suddenly decelerates. Although the reaction speed is not particularly fast, for an entry-level model, these configurations significantly enhance safety. Regarding noise control, the motor is almost silent at low speeds, and wind noise becomes noticeable when speeds exceed 60km/h. However, it is still within an acceptable range and does not affect conversations inside the car.

Overall, the core advantage of the Neta V lies in its configurations—very few models at the same price point feature 6 airbags and a HUD head-up display as standard, both of which are particularly important for family users. Its range of 384km also meets daily requirements, and its space performance is average, making it suitable for small families. Compared to competitors at the same price point, such as the BYD Dolphin, the Neta V offers richer configurations, but the Dolphin has a higher brand recognition. For users prioritizing cost-effectiveness and safety configurations, the Neta V is more suitable.

In summary, the 2023 Neta V is an entry-level pure electric vehicle suitable for Malaysian family users. It has no particularly obvious shortcomings, as its configurations, space, and range all meet daily needs. Its standard safety and practical configurations make it very competitive at the same price point. If you are a commuter traveling less than 50km daily or need a vehicle for school runs, the Neta V is worth considering—it may not be perfect, but it is one of the most pragmatic choices in its price range.