Perodua Alza 2023 Review

Nowadays, the competition in Malaysia's B-Segment MPV market is becoming increasingly intense. Consumers value the practicality of 7 seats while also demanding higher safety features and better fuel efficiency—after all, most users in this segment are working-class families who need a vehicle for both family trips and daily commutes. The 2023 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV, as the top-tier version of the series, offers advanced features such as Level 2 driving assistance and a 360-degree panoramic view system for under RM100,000. Combined with its 2750mm long wheelbase, the specifications alone are intriguing enough to make one wonder whether its actual performance matches the on-paper advantages. This time, we specifically test-drove the AV version to verify whether its space truly accommodates seven passengers, if its safety features are practical, and how it performs in terms of fuel economy and comfort as a daily commuter vehicle.

At first glance, the most noticeable difference in the Alza 1.5 AV is the large trapezoidal front grille, filled with black mesh inserts, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, making it visually more distinctive than the mid to low trims. The side profile features clean lines, with a sleek waistline running from the front fender to the rear. The 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels look more refined compared to the 15-inch steel wheels on the X variant. At the rear, the LED taillights adopt a through-type design, though the central section is actually a chrome strip. When lit, the coherence between the two side light units is commendable. Combined with the silver skid plate on the lower rear bumper, the overall style leans towards family-oriented with a touch of youthful flair.

Stepping inside, the Alza 1.5 AV’s interior adopts a dual-tone combination of dark gray and black. The upper part of the dashboard is covered with soft-touch plastic, which feels more pleasant than the hard plastics found in some similarly priced competitors. The most eye-catching feature is the 9-inch floating touchscreen display, which offers smooth interactions and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it convenient for daily usage like phone navigation or streaming music. The instrument cluster is fully digital, capable of switching between different themes, and can display ACC adaptive cruise control information, making it significantly more practical than the analog meters on the X variant. In terms of features, the AV version exclusively offers a blind spot monitoring system. Paired with standard equipment like six airbags, lane departure warning, and autonomous emergency braking, it almost maxes out safety offerings. It also comes with an electronic parking brake and auto-hold function, eliminating the need to constantly hold the brake pedal while waiting at traffic lights, which is more convenient than the manual handbrake on the mid and low trims.

Space is the core strength of the Alza, with its 2750mm wheelbase ranking in the upper tier of B-Segment MPVs. The front seats support manual adjustments, and for a driver standing at 175cm after adjusting the seating position, there’s still a fist’s worth of headroom remaining. The second-row seats can slide forward and backward by 150mm. When adjusted to the rear-most position, the legroom reaches up to two fists. Together with independent air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, the space comfortably accommodates two adults. The flat floor in the middle makes it feasible to seat a third person without feeling too cramped. The third-row space is critical for an MPV. Sliding the second-row seats forward by one fist, the third-row legroom has a spare of four fingers, and the headroom has three fingers. While it isn’t particularly spacious, it is adequate for passengers under 165cm for short trips. The trunk has a standard capacity of 137 liters, fitting two carry-on suitcases just right. Folding down the third-row seats completely can expand the capacity even further, making it suitable for carrying larger items.

In terms of powertrain, 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 daily commuting, it starts off briskly, the throttle response is linear, and you won’t feel underpowered when following other cars or overtaking in urban areas; when the revs exceed 4200 rpm, the torque reaches its peak. While accelerating further to 100km/h on the highway, it might lack the punch of a turbocharged engine, but pressing the accelerator deeply prompts the gearbox to simulate gear shifts, delivering smooth and progressively increasing power output, which is adequate for highway overtaking needs. However, when fully loaded with seven people and the air conditioning is on, the power becomes noticeably weaker, and you’ll need to press the accelerator harder when climbing hills.

Handling performance aligns with its positioning as a family MPV. The steering is light, making it easy for women to drive, and there’s not much play in the steering. It’s agile when changing lanes or making U-turns during everyday driving. The suspension uses a front MacPherson and rear torsion beam structure, tuned more towards comfort. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension filters out most of the minor vibrations, so the rear passengers won’t feel too bumpy. When cornering at high speeds, the body roll is well-controlled and doesn’t feel unsettling. In terms of braking, the AV variant features disc brakes both at the front and rear. The brake pedal feels linear, and during emergency braking, the body remains stable, providing more confidence compared to the lower- and mid-range variants with rear drum brakes.

Fuel consumption is one of Alza's highlights. The official combined fuel consumption is 4.6L/100km. During our test drive, which was half in the city and half on the highway, with four passengers and some luggage, the actual measured fuel consumption was 5.2L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure but still within a reasonable range. With a full 43L tank, it can cover around 800 kilometers, making it economical for families who frequently go on long trips. Regarding noise control, the cabin remains very quiet at speeds below 60km/h. Once the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise starts to enter from the A-pillars, but it’s not particularly loud and is acceptable for both daily commuting and highway cruising.

To sum up, the core strengths of the 2023 Perodua Alza 1.5 AV are quite evident: the spacious 7-seater space brought by the 2750mm wheelbase, comprehensive safety features including L2-level driving assistance and six airbags, and real-world fuel consumption under 5.5L/100km. These precisely meet the needs of family users. Compared to rivals in the same class, such as the Proton Exora, the Alza AV offers a more affordable price while providing richer features. Compared to the Toyota Veloz, both have similar powertrains, but the Alza has a longer wheelbase, making the third-row space more practical.

This car is best suited for families in need of a 7-seater vehicle—enough space for daily outings with elders and children; L2-level driving assistance reduces fatigue during long drives; and low fuel consumption helps save on everyday expenses. If your budget is between RM70,000 and RM80,000, and you want a hassle-free, safe, and practical family MPV, the Alza 1.5 AV should definitely be a top choice. While it may not offer particularly remarkable power, its overall balance as a family car is already quite excellent.