2023 Perodua Aruz 1.5L X Review

In Malaysia's B-segment SUV market, 7-seater models have always been a popular choice for family users—after all, they need to meet daily commuting needs while also catering to weekend outings with kids or elders. Space flexibility and practicality are core necessities. The 2023 Perodua Aruz 1.5L X, as a major player in this segment, maximizes features such as 6 airbags, a full set of active safety systems, and keyless entry/start system, while keeping the price at RM 62,500, making its high value-for-money label quite prominent. The main purpose of our test drive this time is to examine whether its static experience and dynamic performance can match its title as a "family car," and whether its configuration advantages can truly translate into convenience in practical usage.

Looking at the exterior, the overall design style of the Aruz 1.5L X leans towards toughness, in line with its SUV positioning. The front features a large trapezoidal grille with a black honeycomb design inside, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, giving it high recognition—LED daytime running lights are standard, offering clear visual effects when lit, and enhancing safety during daily drives. The side profile of the vehicle has relatively straight lines, with a waistline extending from the front to the rear that’s not too exaggerated but adds a bit of muscular feel; the 2750mm wheelbase advantage is obvious from the side, allowing enough room for the 7-seater layout. At the rear, the horizontally-designed tail lights paired with the silver rear bumper plate add a sense of stability; rear parking sensors are standard, proving helpful for new drivers or parking in narrow residential lanes.

Stepping inside, the interior layout is mainly practical, without excessive flashy designs. The upper part of the dashboard uses hard plastic, but the textured surface treatment avoids a cheap feel; the center console screen is touch-controlled with a moderate size and simple operating logic. While it doesn't come with particularly complex functions, it meets basic needs like Bluetooth phone connection and music playback. The instrument cluster is a digital-analog hybrid that clearly displays information like RPM, speed, and fuel level, making it easy to read data daily. There are quite a few standout features: keyless entry/start eliminates the hassle of pulling out keys, six airbags cover both front and rear rows, and standard active safety systems like lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, and forward collision warning are well-equipped, ensuring solid safety. The front seats are manually adjustable but provide decent support, so prolonged sitting doesn’t feel too tiring; the second row has a 60:40 split design with a one-touch fold function for easier access to the third row, and its backrest angle can also be manually reclined. The third row has a 50:50 split setup, and when folded down, it expands the trunk space—with a 137L trunk capacity in its normal state, it fits several carry-on suitcases, and folding down the third row allows enough room for larger items. Rear air-conditioning is standard, ensuring rear passengers' comfort, and the 220V/230V power outlet is practical for users needing to charge laptops or outdoor devices.

In terms of performance, the Aruz 1.5L X is powered by a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine with a maximum horsepower of 106PS and a peak torque of 138N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. During everyday commutes, acceleration is not particularly quick, but the throttle response is quite linear, offering proportional power to pedal pressure, making city driving smooth without feeling sluggish. At mid-range speeds between 60-80km/h, the power output is stable; overtaking requires a firmer press on the accelerator, and the transmission quickly adjusts its gear ratios. While it lacks the explosive power of a turbocharged engine, it is sufficient for family use. The driving mode is standard, which is completely adequate for daily needs. The suspension features a front MacPherson strut setup, which effectively absorbs minor bumps when dealing with speed bumps or uneven roads in urban areas, ensuring a comfortable ride without excessive jolting; during cornering, body roll is not too noticeable. As an SUV, such performance is considered normal for this class. The steering wheel offers moderate effort—female drivers won’t find it too heavy—and its directional accuracy is decent, making daily handling very easy.

In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 6.41L/100km. During our test drive, which was mainly in urban areas with occasional highway stretches, the measured fuel consumption was around 7.2L/100km. Considering it is a 7-seater SUV, this fuel efficiency is quite good, and the maintenance cost won't be too high. As for noise control, when driving at low speeds in urban areas, the engine noise and tire noise are not noticeable; when driving at speeds over 110km/h on the highway, the wind noise becomes slightly louder, but it does not affect conversations or listening to music inside the car. Regarding seat comfort, as mentioned earlier, the front seats provide adequate support, the second-row space is spacious, while the third row is suitable for children or adults on short trips; for long trips, it might feel a bit cramped.

To summarize, the core advantages of the 2023 Perodua Aruz 1.5L X are very clear: priced at RM 62,500, it comes standard with a full active safety system, 6 airbags, keyless entry/start, and rear air conditioning—the overall value is outstanding among 7-seater SUVs in the same category. Its 2750mm wheelbase provides good spatial flexibility, and the 7-seat layout meets the needs of families with more members. Compared to other models in the same category, such as the Proton X50 7-seater version (if available), the Aruz is more affordable and has more comprehensive safety features; compared to the Toyota Rush, it offers similar features but at a more advantageous price.

This car is best suited for families prioritizing practicality and safety—for example, families with two children and occasionally needing to take grandparents out. It is fuel-efficient for daily commuting and provides enough space for family outings on weekends; it is also suitable for small business owners who often need to transport small goods—folding down the third row can expand storage space. It does not excel in any particular aspect, but it is very balanced overall, meeting core needs for safety, space, fuel efficiency, and features for daily use.

In general, the 2023 Perodua Aruz 1.5L X is a "well-rounded" family SUV that offers sufficient power, flexible space, and comprehensive safety features at an affordable price. If you need a reliable 7-seater vehicle, it will be a very dependable choice.