2023 Perodua Bezza 1.3 X (A) Review

The A-Segment sedan market has always been a core choice for family users in Malaysia. Vehicles in this category typically need to strike a balance between price, space, and practicality. The 2023 Perodua Bezza 1.3 X (A), as one of the brand’s key models, enters the market priced at RM 43,980, emphasizing high cost-effectiveness and comprehensive basic features. The primary purpose of this test drive is to verify its actual performance in daily commuting and short family trips, and to see whether these features truly meet user needs.

From an exterior perspective, the Bezza 1.3 X maintains Perodua’s usual practical style, without excessive flashy elements. At the front, the LED headlights are a standout feature, with a sharp design and standard automatic lighting function, making daily use more convenient. The front grille combines black plastic material with chrome trim, adding a touch of refinement. The side profile features clean lines, and the 15-inch wheels are well-suited to the A-Segment positioning, with tire specifications of 175/60 R15, balancing grip and comfort. The rear design is relatively conservative, but the LED taillights offer good recognition, and a rear fog lamp is also standard, meeting the requirements of Malaysia’s rainy weather. Overall, the exterior leans toward a timeless design, appealing to users who value practicality over individuality.

Stepping inside, the interior layout is kept simple, with the center console made of a large amount of hard plastic, though the workmanship is fairly neat, without a noticeable cheap feel. The steering wheel is a multifunctional design, with volume adjustment and call answering buttons integrated on the left side, making operation relatively convenient. The instrument cluster features a backlit analog design, providing clear visibility of information such as RPM, speed, and fuel level. The center console area is not equipped with a large screen but retains a traditional radio and USB port. While it lacks smart connectivity features, it is sufficient for budget-conscious users looking for basic functionality. As for the seats, the front seats are manually adjustable, with good support for both the backrest and cushions, ensuring comfort during long periods of use. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding feature, which is very practical when occasionally needing to load large items, allowing flexible space expansion.

Space performance is one of Bezza’s strengths. The car has a length of 4170mm and a wheelbase of 2455mm, which ranks as slightly above average within the A-Segment. A front-row passenger with a height of 175cm would still have a fist’s worth of headroom remaining; a rear-seat passenger of the same height would have about two fists of legroom, and headroom is also ample, making it suitable for daily family outings. In terms of storage space, the door panels’ storage slots can fit two bottles of mineral water, and the central armrest box is of average depth, suitable for small items. The trunk has a capacity of 508L, which can hold three 20-inch suitcases in its default state. Folding down the rear seats allows for accommodating longer items, such as baby strollers or bicycles.

In terms of performance, the Bezza 1.3 X is equipped with a 1.3L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power output of 96PS and a peak torque of 121N·m, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The power response at startup is relatively smooth, without noticeable jerking. For daily urban commutes, the acceleration performance within 60km/h is adequate. When the accelerator is pressed harder, the transmission shifting speed is not very fast but keeps up with the overall rhythm; overtaking requires planning a bit in advance. The car only has a normal driving mode, with no sport mode, and the overall tuning leans toward comfort. The official combined fuel consumption is 4.8L/100km; during the test drive, fuel consumption in congested urban areas was approximately 5.5L/100km, while on highways it dropped to around 4.3L/100km. The fuel economy performance is commendable and meets family users’ expectations for low fuel consumption.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is relatively light, so even women won't find it tiring to drive. Its directional accuracy is decent, without noticeable free play. The suspension system combines front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam, which performs adequately on bumpy roads. It can filter out most vibrations when passing over speed bumps, though the rear suspension's rebound may be slightly more noticeable. When driving through curves, the body roll is controlled within a reasonable range, without feeling floaty, and the overall stability is quite good. As for braking, it features a combination of front ventilated discs and rear drum brakes. The brake pedal feels somewhat soft, but the braking power is sufficient, allowing the car to stop steadily during emergency braking without veering.

In terms of ride comfort, noise control is average. At speeds below 60km/h, wind and road noise inside the cabin are minimal; however, when the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise becomes more noticeable but still does not affect normal conversations. The engine start-stop system is standard. It automatically shuts down when waiting at red lights and quickly restarts when setting off, helping save some fuel. If you don't like this feature, it can also be manually turned off. The air conditioning inside the car is manually controlled but delivers good cooling performance, quickly reducing the temperature in Malaysia's hot weather.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2023 Perodua Bezza 1.3 X (A) lie in its high cost-effectiveness, practical space, and low fuel consumption. Compared to the Proton Saga 1.3 Standard in the same segment, the Bezza offers more comprehensive configurations, such as standard features like forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic headlights, while the price difference is less than RM 2,000, making it a better value for money. It provides a balanced overall performance with no obvious shortcomings, making it suitable for budget-conscious families who value practicality, especially those needing daily commuting and occasional short trips.

In conclusion, the Bezza 1.3 X is a pragmatic family sedan. It does not offer flashy features or powerful performance, but it excels with its affordable price, practical space, and fuel efficiency. If you are looking for a reliable and hassle-free car for daily commuting without requiring additional functions, this car would be a good choice.