Perodua Axia 2018 Review

A-Segment small cars have always been a popular choice in the local market. These models focus on being economical, flexible, and practical, making them perfect for urban commuting and small families' daily needs. The 2018 Perodua Axia SE 1.0 AT, as the mid-range automatic variant of the series, accurately addresses the pain points of users who have limited budgets but still want comfort, thanks to its price of just under RM38,000, automatic transmission convenience, and relatively rich features. This time we got our hands on a real car to see if it truly meets most people's basic needs in terms of static experience, dynamic performance, and daily practicality.

Starting with the exterior, the design of the 2018 Axia SE is not aggressive but appears more refined compared to the base model in terms of details. The front maintains the rounded contours of the Axia family; the upper grille connects to both headlights with chrome accents, while the lower grille features a black honeycomb design, complemented by fog lights (a feature added in the SE version compared to the Standard G), resulting in a more layered visual impression. The side profile of the car is simple, and the 175/65 R14 tires are well-suited for the body, avoiding a top-heavy appearance. At the rear, the tail lights use LED sources, which offer decent recognition when illuminated at night. The lines on the rear bumper echo the front design, creating a cohesive and visually pleasing overall style.

Sitting inside, the interior is primarily made from plastic materials, but the SE version shows thoughtful detailing. The center console layout is clear, and the air conditioning control area adopts a traditional rotary knob and button design, making it intuitive to operate, even for beginners. The standard keyless entry and start function is a delightful surprise, adding convenience to daily use by eliminating the need to frequently take out the keys. The seats are fabric, with manually adjustable front seats. The padding of the backrest and cushion is not very thick, but the support is sufficient, and short rides won't feel uncomfortable. The rear seats can be folded as a whole, which can expand the trunk space when needed, making it suitable for occasionally carrying long items. In terms of space, the 2455mm wheelbase is standard for the A-Segment category. A front passenger with a height of 175cm will have a one-fist gap of headroom after adjusting the seating position. For rear passengers of the same height, legroom is slightly cramped, but it’s acceptable for short trips, making it suitable for small families or daily commuting. Storage space inside the car is adequate. The door panels feature storage compartments that can hold two bottles of water, and there is a small storage slot below the center console for items like phones or wallets. The front row also comes standard with a 220V power outlet, making it convenient for charging electronic devices.

In terms of dynamic performance, the 1.0L naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine has a maximum power of 68PS and a maximum torque of 89Nm, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain leans towards comfort and efficiency. It delivers relatively smooth power during starts, making it suitable for steady driving and keeping in traffic. When pressing the accelerator deeply for acceleration, there is a noticeable gear-shifting delay, and the engine needs to rev above 4000 rpm to sense a significant power boost. For overtaking on highways, you need to reserve enough distance in advance. During daily driving, the transmission's shifting logic is relatively smooth without noticeable jerkiness, making it suitable for urban conditions. The suspension is comprised of a front MacPherson independent strut and a rear torsion beam non-independent setup, tuned for comfort. It absorbs most irregularities when driving over speed bumps or slightly uneven roads without being too harsh. However, on larger potholes, rear passengers might feel significant jolts. The steering wheel is light, making daily parking or U-turns quite easy. However, at high speeds, the steering feels somewhat vague and requires frequent corrections. The fuel consumption meets expectations, with an official combined fuel efficiency of 5L/100km. In our actual tests, combining city roads and a small amount of highway driving, the fuel consumption was approximately 5.5L/100km. With a 33L fuel tank, it can travel over 600km on a full tank, offering decent range without needing frequent refueling.

In terms of noise control, the Axia SE performs average. At low speeds, the engine noise is not significant, but once the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise and tire noise become noticeably louder, especially tire noise, which affects the cabin's tranquility. However, this is within the normal range for A-Segment vehicles. As previously mentioned, the comfort of the seats is decent; the fabric material offers good breathability, making long rides less stuffy. The rear row is equipped with air conditioning vents, which improves the summer experience for rear passengers.

In conclusion, the 2018 Perodua Axia SE 1.0 AT has clear core advantages: affordable pricing, the convenience of an automatic transmission, relatively rich features (keyless entry/start, front fog lights, electrically foldable side mirrors, etc.), and fuel efficiency. Compared to the Proton Iriz of the same class, it is more affordable and has better fuel consumption; compared to Perodua's own Standard G variant, the added features like front fog lights and electrically foldable side mirrors enhance daily usability. However, it also has shortcomings, such as cramped rear space, significant noise at high speeds, and limited power reserves. Overall, it is suitable for users with a limited budget who primarily need a car for urban commuting and small family outings, especially those who want an automatic transmission but do not want to spend too much. If you are looking for exceptional power or spaciousness, it might not be the best choice. However, if you need an economical, reliable, and practical car for daily use, the 2018 Axia SE 1.0 AT is a good option.