2023 Perodua Alza 1.5 X Review

In the B-Segment MPV market in Malaysia, family users have always been the main consumer group. What they need is balance—enough space for people and cargo, safe and practical features, and, of course, affordability. The 2023 Perodua Alza 1.5 X, as a popular choice in this segment, has attracted much attention since its launch with its superior wheelbase and comprehensive safety features. This time, I received a test vehicle, and my main goal was to verify if its daily usage performance truly meets family needs and to see whether it has any shortcomings in areas like power and fuel consumption.

Before getting inside, I took a walk around to check out the exterior. The car measures 4425mm in length, 1730mm in width, and 1660mm in height, with a wheelbase reaching 2750mm. The side profile looks sleek and doesn’t appear bulky. The front features Perodua's family-style large grille, paired with black decorative strips for high recognition; LED headlights come standard, with sharp designs and enough brightness for daily use. The LED taillight set in the rear is horizontally designed, connected in the middle by a chrome strip, which visually widens the rear. The trunk door has an indented handle underneath for easy opening. The wheels are 15-inch steel rims paired with 185/65 R15 tires. While they’re not as visually appealing as alloy wheels, they are more durable and have a lower replacement cost, which suits family users.

Opening the door, the interior mainly features a dark gray color scheme, and the dashboard layout is simplistic, with frequently used buttons within easy reach. The instrument cluster is a backlit analog display showing RPM, speed, fuel level, and water temperature, with a small screen in the middle displaying mileage, fuel consumption, and driver assistance information. The center console screen is a 7-inch touchscreen that supports Bluetooth and phone mirroring, and its operation is quite smooth. The steering wheel is a three-spoke plastic steering wheel, with an average grip, but there are control buttons on both sides to adjust volume and switch tracks. The seats are fabric, with the front seats supporting manual adjustment. The cushions and backrests provide enough support, so long drives won’t be too tiring. The second-row seats are 60:40 split-folding with one-touch folding, manual sliding, and recline functions, offering a sliding range of about 150mm. The third row is a 50:50 split, and the backrests can be folded down.

In terms of features, the Alza 1.5 X has impressive safety features, including 6 standard airbags (front dual airbags, side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags), vehicle stability control, ABS, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and active braking. Practical features include rear air conditioning vents, keyless entry and start, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. It’s worth mentioning that although the front air conditioning is a manual single zone, it comes with digital controls and a memory function, so there’s no need to blindly adjust temperatures.

Space is a strong point for the Alza. Its 2750mm wheelbase is considered long in its class. After adjusting the front row to a comfortable position, a passenger with a height of 175cm still has one fist and two fingers of headroom. When the second-row seats are adjusted to their furthest back position, there’s two fists of legroom; when adjusted to the furthest forward position, there’s one fist of legroom left, making room for two adults to sit in the third row, though their legs would touch the second-row seat backrests—suitable only for short trips. When the third row is folded down, the trunk capacity is 137L, which can fit two 20-inch suitcases. With both the second- and third-row seats folded down, the capacity expands to 1147L (as per official data), enough to store large items. In terms of storage spaces, the door panels can hold two bottles of water, there’s a storage compartment under the center console, two cup holders in the middle of the front seats, a folding armrest with cup holders in the middle of the second row, and cup holders on both sides of the third row.

Powertrain-wise, the Alza 1.5 X is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum output of 106PS/6000rpm and maximum torque of 138N·m/4200rpm, paired with a CVT transmission. During daily driving, the start is brisk, the throttle response is sensitive, and sufficient torque can be output around 2000rpm, making it easy to follow traffic or overtake in the city. Once the engine exceeds 3000rpm, the power output becomes stronger. On highways, when you press the accelerator deeply, the transmission simulates gear changes, and the revs climb above 4000rpm. Although power is still adequate, noise becomes noticeably louder. The smoothness of the CVT transmission is good, with no shift shocks, making it suitable for the driving habits of family users.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is precise with minimal play, feeling light at low speeds and becoming heavier at higher speeds, providing great confidence. The suspension consists of a front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam, tuned towards comfort. It filters out most bumps when passing over speed bumps or uneven roads. However, rear passengers may feel a slight bounce. The vehicle stability control intervenes promptly during quick lane changes to keep the vehicle stable, without obvious body roll.

As for fuel consumption, I drove about 200km in total, equally divided between city and highway. The average fuel consumption was 5.8L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 4.6L/100km, mainly due to frequent start-stops in city traffic. If primarily driving on highways, the fuel consumption could likely drop below 5L/100km. Regarding braking, the brake pedal travel is moderate, slightly soft at the beginning, but the middle and end sections provide sufficient braking force. During emergency braking, the vehicle body remains stable without deviation.

Regarding ride comfort, when driving below 60km/h, cabin noise is well-controlled, with tire and engine noise being unnoticeable. However, when the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise enters through the A-pillars and door gaps, and tire noise also increases, though it remains within an acceptable range. The seats offer good comfort, and the fabric upholstery is breathable, making it less hot in summer. The rear air conditioner vents allow for adjustable airflow, ensuring even third-row passengers can enjoy cool air, which is very practical.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2023 Perodua Alza 1.5 X are its spacious interior, comprehensive safety features, and fuel efficiency. Compared with similar models like the Toyota Veloz 1.5 G, the Alza has a longer wheelbase, offering more space in the third row and richer safety features (the Veloz 1.5 G only has four airbags) while being approximately RM 3,000 cheaper, making it more cost-effective. However, the Veloz has better interior materials, featuring leather seats and automatic air conditioning, which are areas where the Alza falls short.

This car is suitable for families that prioritize space and safety, especially those with more than two children. The third row can be used for emergencies, and the sliding function of the second row makes getting in and out easier. It meets the needs of daily commuting and short weekend trips, with low fuel consumption and low maintenance costs. If you are looking for a well-rounded family MPV without spending too much money, the Alza 1.5 X is a good choice.

Overall, the 2023 Perodua Alza 1.5 X has no significant shortcomings. It offers the space, safety, and practicality that family users need at a reasonable price, making it a model worth considering in its class.