2023 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's B-Segment 7-seater MPV market has become increasingly fierce. Consumers value both space practicality and high safety features as well as fuel economy. The 2023 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV, as a popular model in this segment, focuses on class-leading wheelbase, comprehensive active safety features, and affordable pricing as its main selling points. In this test drive, we will focus on evaluating its space performance, dynamic driving quality, and practicality of features to see if they meet the needs of family users.

In terms of appearance, the Alza 1.5 AV presents a steady overall style while incorporating youthful details. The front features a large trapezoidal grille paired with a blackened top grille garnish. The LED headlight units on both sides connect with the grille, enhancing the visual width; the fog light area below the front bumper is decorated with L-shaped chrome strips, adding a sense of refinement. The side profile of the car boasts smooth lines, with roof rails and 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels enhancing both practicability and dynamism. At the rear, the blackened LED tail lights are connected by a slender chrome strip, with the Perodua logo embedded in the middle. A silver skid plate is integrated into the lower rear bumper, creating a unique and recognizable look.

Stepping inside, the Alza 1.5 AV interior features a dark gray color scheme with a straightforward and clear layout for the center console. Regarding materials, the upper dashboard is covered with soft-touch plastics, complemented by piano black panels and silver trims, offering quality that ranks above average in its class. In terms of key features, it is equipped with a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, ensuring good operational smoothness. The multifunction steering wheel integrates adaptive cruise control (ACC) buttons on the left side and multimedia and phone control buttons on the right, providing decent convenience. The front seats are manually adjustable, with moderate cushion length and good back support. The second row offers 60:40 split-folding, one-touch tumble, manual sliding, and reclining functions, along with a center armrest for flexible passenger seating. The third-row seats have a 50:50 split design, suited for children or adults on short trips. When folded, the luggage capacity can extend beyond 137L.

Space performance is one of Alza 1.5 AV's key strengths. Its 4,425mm length and 2,750mm wheelbase are among the top in the B-Segment MPV category. With the front seats adjusted to a comfortable position, there is approximately one fist and two fingers of headroom for the front passengers. Second-row passengers can enjoy up to two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom, providing a comfortable seating experience for passengers as tall as 175 cm. For the third row, legroom is about one fist after sliding the second row forward, and headroom is around four fingers, suitable for short trips. In terms of storage, the front door pockets can hold two bottles of mineral water, and there is an open storage compartment below the center console. The glove box on the passenger side offers moderate capacity, and the second-row seats feature side cup holders. Additionally, the third row also has cup holders and USB charging ports, offering practicality.

In terms of performance, the Alza 1.5 AV is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 106PS and a peak torque of 138N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. During everyday driving, the initial power response is brisk, making it suitable for urban roads. When accelerating to 60-80km/h, the power output remains steady. However, overtaking requires a heavy press on the accelerator, with the transmission simulating gear changes to increase the RPM, which generally meets the power requirements for family use. It offers three driving modes: ECO, Normal, and Power. In ECO mode, the throttle response is slightly sluggish, making it suitable for fuel-efficient highway cruising, while in Power mode, the throttle sensitivity is enhanced, providing a more direct acceleration experience.

As for handling and chassis performance, the Alza 1.5 AV adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension. On urban roads, the suspension effectively absorbs minor bumps, offering good comfort. When driving over speed bumps or uneven surfaces, the rear suspension has slight bounciness, but overall stability is well-maintained. The steering wheel has moderate accuracy with minimal play. At high speeds, the steering wheel becomes heavier, enhancing stability. Meanwhile, the body lean during cornering is kept within a reasonable range, ensuring passenger comfort.

In terms of fuel consumption testing, we drove 100km on mixed roads (30% city, 70% highway), and the displayed fuel consumption was 5.2L/100km, which is close to the official combined consumption of 4.6L/100km, showcasing excellent fuel economy. Regarding braking performance, the brake pedal travel is moderate, and the braking force output is linear. During emergency braking, the vehicle maintains stable posture without noticeable nosediving.

As for ride comfort, the Alza 1.5 AV's noise control performs well, with wind and tire noise remaining within acceptable levels during high-speed driving. Engine noise becomes noticeable inside the cabin when the RPM exceeds 3000, but it doesn't interfere with normal conversations. The seat comfort is good, and long sessions of sitting aren't fatiguing. Both the second and third rows feature air conditioning vents, ensuring rear passengers enjoy a good cooling experience.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2023 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV include its superior wheelbase space, comprehensive active safety features (such as six airbags, ACC adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree panoramic camera), excellent fuel economy, and affordable pricing (RM 75,500). Compared to peers, its space performance and safety configurations surpass the Toyota Veloz, while its pricing is more competitive than the Honda BR-V.

Overall, the Alza 1.5 AV is ideal for families prioritizing practical space, safety features, and fuel economy, especially those requiring a 7-seater to accommodate multiple members for outings. Its balanced performance and high cost-effectiveness make it a standout choice in the B-Segment MPV market.

In conclusion, the 2023 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV is a family MPV that excellently combines space, safety, and fuel economy, making it suitable for daily urban commuting and short family trips. It is one of the most worthy options in the B-Segment MPV market.