Perodua Aruz Review

In the B-segment 7-seater SUV market, family users often struggle to balance budget and features—they need a vehicle spacious enough for family outings while also equipped with basic safety and comfort features, and the price cannot be too high. The 2023 Perodua Aruz 1.5L X targets this demand, offering 6 airbags, active safety systems, and a 7-seater layout as standard, all for less than RM63k, which seems like outstanding value for money. During this test drive, we aimed to see if its static features are sufficient, whether its dynamic drive suits daily commutes and family trips, and if it can truly be a practical choice for budget-conscious families.

From a distance, the design of the 2023 Aruz 1.5L X maintains the ruggedness characteristic of SUVs. The body lines are straight, and the roof slightly slopes downwards after the B-pillar, avoiding a bulky look. The front face design highlights the light clusters. The standard LED headlights have a sharp design and are connected to the upper grille's chrome strip, creating a visually wider appearance. The lower grille features a black honeycomb pattern; there are no fog lights on either side (one of the differences from the mid-to-high trims), but overall it doesn’t look cheap. On the side, the 15-inch alloy wheels are paired with 185/65 R15 tires, which are well-suited to the car’s body proportions, and the wheel arch lines are quite restrained. At the rear, are the LED taillights in a through-type design? No, they are independent left and right but symmetrically styled, connected in the middle by a thin chrome strip. The rear bumper has a black guard plate, maintaining the SUV’s adventurous appeal. The lighting system is quite practical; the brightness of the LED headlights is sufficient for nighttime suburban roads, and the daytime running lights enhance daytime visibility.

Open the door, and the interior design leans towards practicality, avoiding overly flashy elements. The dashboard is primarily made of hard plastic, but the textured treatment is detailed enough to not feel too rough to the touch. The central control layout is very clear: the upper level is a touchscreen, and below it is a manually controlled digital air conditioning section with large buttons and knobs that can be operated even while wearing gloves. Moreover, the air conditioning has a memory function, which restores previous settings when the vehicle is restarted. The multifunction steering wheel is made of rubber material: the left side features volume and track skip buttons, while the right side has Bluetooth call and trip computer control keys, all with a moderate tactile feedback. The seats are fabric, with manually adjustable front seats that offer decent support, making it comfortable even after sitting for an hour. Space is one of its highlights: the overall dimensions are 4425mm in length, 1730mm in width, and 1670mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2750mm—considered long for a B-segment SUV. Once the front seats are adjusted to a suitable position, a 175cm-tall passenger will have a fist-width of headroom remaining; the second row offers two fists of legroom, and the seats can be manually reclined, support 60:40 split-folding, and have a one-touch tumble function to easily flip the seats forward for third-row access. The third row is relatively compact and best suited for passengers under 165cm tall; fine for short trips but may feel cramped for long drives. The trunk has a standard capacity of 137L, just enough for two carry-on suitcases. By folding the third row 50:50, the volume can expand significantly, making it suitable for transporting larger items. In terms of storage space, the door panels feature slots capable of holding two water bottles. The central armrest box has average depth but is adequate for small items. The second row has cupholders, and the third row also has two cupholders, indicating thoughtful attention to detail.

Sitting in the driver's seat and starting the vehicle, the 1.5L naturally aspirated engine is not very noisy, and only slight vibrations are transmitted to the steering wheel at idle. The engine's specifications include a maximum horsepower of 106 PS and a maximum torque of 138 N·m, paired with a CVT gearbox, resulting in very smooth power delivery. The throttle response is quite keen at start-up, and a light press is enough to get moving, making it suitable for urban stop-and-go traffic. Acceleration to 60km/h is brisk, but once it exceeds 80km/h, the power delivery becomes slower despite pressing further on the accelerator; it requires some planning for overtaking distances, given the engine displacement and horsepower. There is only a normal driving mode without a sport mode, but it is fully sufficient for daily commuting. The steering wheel is quite light, making it easy for female drivers to handle. While the steering accuracy is average with some slack, for a family car, this setup helps reduce fatigue during long-distance driving. The chassis features MacPherson independent suspension at the front, while the type of rear suspension isn't specified, but it performs with a comfort-oriented tuning. When driving over speed bumps, the suspension filters most of the jolts and avoids noticeable bouncing; on bumpy roads, the vehicle's shake is within an acceptable range and won’t make passengers feel overly uncomfortable. Cornering performance is average, with noticeable body roll at speeds exceeding 50km/h, so it's best to slow down when handling curves.

In terms of fuel consumption, this test drive included both urban traffic conditions and highways. The average fuel consumption came out to be about 7.2L per 100 kilometers, slightly higher than the official figure of 6.41L. However, considering that we had three passengers onboard, this fuel efficiency is still decent. With a full 45L tank, it can run roughly 600 kilometers, sufficient for a week of commuting and a short-distance trip. Regarding braking performance, the combination of ventilated front discs and rear disc brakes provides a fairly linear braking response, delivering braking power proportional to pedal pressure. During emergency braking, the car maintains stability and doesn't veer. Noise control is decent, with little wind or tire noise at 60km/h in the city; at 100km/h on the highway, wind noise can be heard coming through the A-pillar, though it doesn’t hinder normal conversations. Tire noise, due to the smaller tire size, is also minimal. As for seat comfort, as mentioned earlier, the fabric seats have good breathability, helping to prevent overheating during summer. The second-row air conditioning vent cools down quickly, and the third row also has an air vent, ensuring that rear passengers remain comfortable during family outings in warm conditions.

In summary, the 2023 Perodua Aruz 1.5L X has clear core advantages: priced at under RM63k, it offers a 7-seater layout, 6 airbags, and active safety features like lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, and forward collision warning, which are essential configurations. Its value for money is almost unmatched in its price range. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the lower trims of the Proton X70 (which is more expensive and only has 5 seats), the Aruz 1.5L X stands out with its 7-seater advantage and lower price. When compared to Perodua’s own Alza, the Aruz offers better off-road capability, making it more suitable for families that occasionally travel on rough roads. Its shortcomings are also clear: weaker engine performance, cramped third-row space, and an interior primarily made of hard plastic materials.

This car’s target audience is well-defined—families with budgets in the range of RM60k to RM70k who need a 7-seater vehicle for family outings, primarily for commuting and short trips, and who prioritize practicality and safety over powerful performance. If you’re a single young person seeking driving performance and high-tech features, it may not be the best choice. However, if you are a family with elder and younger members needing a pragmatic "family utility vehicle," the Aruz 1.5L X is definitely worth considering.

Overall, the 2023 Perodua Aruz 1.5L X is a "precisely targeted" model. It does not aim for all-around perfection but instead focuses on maximizing space, safety, and cost-effectiveness, which are most needed by family users, making it a practical choice for families with a limited budget.