Perodua Alza 2018 Review

In Malaysia's B-segment MPV market, family users often prioritize a balance between space practicality and budget. The 2018 Perodua Alza, as a popular choice in this segment, attracts significant attention with its 7-seater layout, affordable pricing, and comprehensive features. The 1.5 AV AT, as the top-spec version, offers marked upgrades in safety assistance and technological features compared to mid- and lower-tier models. This review focuses on this top-spec model to evaluate whether it can meet the daily commuting and short-trip needs of multi-person families.

Approaching the 2018 Alza 1.5 AV AT, the overall exterior maintains a typical family MPV style, with design lines emphasizing practicality without overly complex styling. At the front, the layered grille coupled with chrome trim adds a touch of refinement, although it is not particularly striking; the front headlights combine halogen and LED elements, and the inclusion of LED daytime running lights enhances the car's recognition while following the current design trends. Along the side, 15-inch wheels paired with 185/55 R15 tires are sized appropriately for its family-focused positioning, and scratch-resistant side moldings on the doors help reduce maintenance costs from daily scuffs. The rear design is simple, with the taillight configuration blending naturally with the body lines, and reflective strips on the rear bumper improve nighttime visibility. The overall appearance leans towards a steady and solid aesthetic, catering to the preferences of family users.

Opening the door, the interior predominantly uses dark tones, with a clean and straightforward dashboard layout. Frequently used function buttons are within easy reach. As the top-spec model, the 1.5 AV AT comes with a touchscreen infotainment system that supports basic multimedia and Bluetooth connectivity, with a simple and user-friendly interface. The multifunction steering wheel integrates volume adjustment and call answering buttons, allowing drivers to operate without being distracted by the central screen. In terms of materials, the top of the dashboard uses hard plastic, but its textured finish prevents it from feeling overly cheap. The seats are fabric-upholstered; while lacking the luxury of leather, they offer better breathability, suitable for Malaysia’s hot climate. In terms of features, keyless entry and start are standard across the lineup, while the 1.5 AV AT adds front parking sensors and a reversing camera, which significantly improves parking convenience for a larger 7-seat MPV. The addition of a 220V/230V power outlet also allows rear passengers to connect electronic devices, showing thoughtful consideration of details.

Space performance is one of Alza’s core strengths, with a 2750mm wheelbase that ranks well within its class. The front driver’s seat supports manual adjustments, and a 175cm-tall driver, when adjusting to a comfortable position, still has a fist’s worth of headroom. The second-row seats feature a 50:50 split design, offering ample legroom even if the front seats are slightly reclined, accommodating an average adult comfortably. The third-row seats are more suited for children or short-distance adult passengers, as legroom is relatively tight but sufficient for emergency use. In terms of storage, the trunk offers a standard capacity of 83L, enough for a few backpacks; folding down the third-row seats expands the space to accommodate bulkier items like baby strollers or suitcases. The door storage compartments, central armrest box, and rear cup holders also meet the needs for storing daily small items.

Start the vehicle, the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine provides a maximum horsepower of 104PS and a maximum torque of 136Nm, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering a smooth power output. During daily commuting, the power responds promptly during the initial acceleration phase, and the vehicle quickly keeps up after pressing the accelerator; when driving at low to medium speeds, the gear-shifting logic is clear, without obvious jerking; however, during high-speed overtaking, you need to press the accelerator deeply to raise the engine RPM above 4400rpm to obtain sufficient torque, and the power reserve is not ample. There are only two driving modes: Eco and Normal. In Eco mode, the throttle response is slightly slower, which is suitable for congested urban areas and helps to a certain extent in reducing fuel consumption.

In terms of handling, the Alza adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension, and the steering is light, making it easy for female drivers to handle; the suspension is tuned for comfort, filtering out most bumps when passing speed bumps or uneven roads, providing a good seating experience for rear passengers; however, when cornering at high speeds, there is noticeable body roll, so controlling speed is necessary to maintain stability. The fuel efficiency is as expected, with an official combined fuel consumption of 7.87L/100km. In actual tests, urban congested areas recorded about 8.5L/100km, while highway conditions reduced it to approximately 7L/100km. The 42L fuel tank capacity provides a range of about 500km, which meets the needs of daily commuting and short trips.

In terms of driving and riding comfort, the seats provide good support, and long drives do not result in significant fatigue; in terms of noise control, the engine noise at low speeds is minimal, while wind and tire noise increase at high speeds but remain within an acceptable range. The manual air conditioning performs well, quickly lowering the cabin temperature. Although there is no independent air conditioning for the rear seats, the airflow from the front vents is sufficient to cover the entire cabin. Notably, the Alza's minimum ground clearance is 155mm, making it more capable of handling Malaysia's common unpaved roads or slightly flooded routes compared to a sedan.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2018 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV AT lie in its practicality and value for money. Compared to competitors in the same class, its 7-seater layout and long wheelbase meet the needs of larger families, and the top-end model's features such as front sensors and reversing camera enhance daily convenience. The 5-year/150,000km warranty across the range also reduces future maintenance costs. However, its power reserve is somewhat insufficient at high speeds, and the number of airbags is only 2, which is less than the multi-airbag configurations provided by some competitors.

This car is more suitable for families prioritizing space and budget, especially for those who frequently need to accommodate 5-7 passengers. It is also a practical choice for users mainly commuting daily with occasional use of the seventh seat. If stronger performance or more comprehensive safety features are desired, a higher-budget model may need to be considered. However, within a budget of approximately RM60,000, the Alza 1.5 AV AT's overall performance is sufficient to meet the needs of most families.

Overall, the 2018 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV AT is a clearly positioned family-oriented MPV. While it lacks flashy design or powerful performance, it achieves a balance in terms of space, features, and reliability, making it a worthy option for Malaysian families when considering a 7-seater vehicle.