Perodua Aruz 2023 Review

In Malaysia’s B-segment SUV market, 7-seater models have always been a popular choice for family users — meeting the needs of multi-member travel while balancing the economy and convenience of daily commuting. The 2023 Perodua Aruz 1.5L X, as the entry-level version of the series, is priced at only RM 62,500 but comes standard with 6 airbags and lane departure warning, among other safety features. This high cost-performance combination has piqued the curiosity of many budget-conscious families: can it truly balance practicality and safety? This time, we got our hands on the actual vehicle and conducted a comprehensive test, from static experience to dynamic driving, to see if it deserves the title of “the top choice for entry-level family SUVs.”

Let’s look at the exterior first. The Aruz 1.5L X continues the rugged style of the series with overall square lines that fit the positioning of an SUV. The front face uses a large chrome strip connecting the LED headlights on both sides. Daytime running lights come standard and have decent recognition when lit. The side profile offers a straight waistline extending from the fender to the rear, paired with 15-inch alloy wheels (tire specification 185/65 R15), which visually do not appear thin. The rear design is simple, featuring horizontally arranged LED taillights, and the silver skid plate decoration below the rear bumper adds a touch of off-road flair. As for details, the side mirrors support electric folding, and the doors are equipped with keyless entry, which is convenient for everyday use.

Stepping into the interior, black is the primary color tone, with hard plastic materials dominating, but the seams at the joints are well-controlled, avoiding a cheap feel. The center console is clearly laid out, with a standard-sized touchscreen that offers acceptable responsiveness. Although it lacks the 9-inch screen from higher models, it includes all basic functions. The instrument panel uses an illuminated analog style that intuitively displays information such as RPM and speed. For configuration, the front air conditioning is a manual digital system with memory functions, and rear air vents come standard, ensuring comfort for rear passengers. The front seats offer manual adjustments, with both the driver and front passenger seats supporting forward, backward, and backrest angle adjustments. The seat cushions are sufficiently long, providing decent thigh support.

Space is one of the core selling points of the Aruz 1.5L X. Its length, width, and height measure 4425mm, 1730mm, and 1670mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2750mm — a commendable level in its class. The second-row seats support a 60:40 split and can be folded flat with one touch, with a manual recline function. A passenger with a height of 175cm will have about two fists’ worth of legroom and enough headroom to avoid touching the roof. The third-row seats are split 50:50 and are suitable for children or short trips for adults. Legroom is slightly tighter but fully sufficient for emergency use. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 137L, which can be expanded by folding down the third row, making it spacious enough for strollers or suitcases. There are also plenty of storage compartments inside the car, such as door pockets, a center armrest box, and a glove compartment, all of which are quite practical. Additionally, a 220V/230V power outlet comes standard, convenient for external electrical devices.

In terms of power, the Aruz 1.5L X is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine that delivers a maximum horsepower of 106PS, a maximum power of 78kW (6000rpm), and a peak torque of 138N·m (4200rpm), paired with a CVT gearbox and rear-wheel-drive configuration. During real driving, the start is relatively brisk, and the low RPM torque output is sufficient for daily commuting, such as following traffic in the city or accelerating from a stop, without feeling sluggish. However, on highways, when the speed exceeds 100km/h, the power reserve becomes less adequate, requiring a deeper throttle input for noticeable acceleration. The transmission performs smoothly with no obvious jerks, and the CVT’s characteristics make it very suitable for family use.

For handling and chassis, the front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension is a non-independent suspension (not clearly specified but matches common settings in this vehicle class based on real-world experience). During daily driving, the steering wheel has moderate resistance with minimal dead zone, and its directional precision is acceptable when cornering. The chassis tuning leans toward comfort, capable of filtering out most small bumps on the road. For instance, when passing through speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, vibrations are not directly transmitted into the cabin. However, when encountering larger bumps, the rear suspension's rebound is more noticeable. In terms of braking, the front brakes are ventilated discs, while the rear brakes are discs (better than the drum brakes found in higher-end models). The brake pedal offers a linear feel, and the braking distance is within the normal range for this class.

In the fuel consumption test, we drove 50km in the city and 50km on the highway. Under mixed driving conditions, the observed fuel consumption was approximately 7.2L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 6.41L/100km. However, considering that we used air conditioning throughout the test and encountered some traffic jams along the way, this result is still acceptable. With a fuel tank capacity of 45L, the car can travel about 600km on a full tank, which is sufficient for a week of commuting. Regarding noise control, at speeds below 60km/h, engine noise and tire noise are not noticeable. Once the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise starts to increase gradually, but it remains within an acceptable range and does not affect cabin conversations.

Safety features are a highlight of the Aruz 1.5L X. The base model comes standard with 6 airbags (front dual airbags, front and rear side airbags, front curtain airbags), ABS, electronic stability control, lane departure warning, autonomous braking, forward collision warning, and front and rear parking sensors. These features are rarely seen in similarly priced vehicles, offering sufficient peace of mind for family users. The vehicle comes with a warranty of 5 years or 150,000km, which is more reassuring than the 3-year warranty offered by many competitors.

In summary, the 2023 Perodua Aruz 1.5L X has outstanding core advantages. Firstly, it offers high value for money; at RM 62,500, you get a 7-seater SUV with rich safety features. Secondly, it is practical in terms of space, with a 2750mm wheelbase ensuring comfort for the second row, while the third row is suitable for occasional use. Thirdly, it is fuel-efficient, keeping daily usage costs low. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Proton X70 1.5T Standard (priced at RM 89,800), the Aruz 1.5L X may lag in performance and features but is nearly RM 30,000 cheaper, and its 7-seat layout is more ideal for families with multiple children. Against the Toyota Rush 1.5G (priced at RM 98,800), the Aruz has an even more significant price advantage.

This car is best suited for small or medium families with limited budgets—such as a family of three or four—who require a 7-seater to handle occasional trips with additional members. It is primarily used for city commutes and short self-driving trips. Those seeking better performance or higher-end features might need to consider a higher version of the Aruz or other competitors, but for families prioritizing "safety + practicality + economy," the 1.5L X is definitely an excellent choice.

Overall, the 2023 Perodua Aruz 1.5L X doesn’t have fancy features, but it fulfills what family users need most in terms of safety, space, and economy. It is a practical entry-level 7-seater SUV.