Perodua Myvi 2023 Review

In Malaysia's B-segment hatchback market, the Perodua Myvi has always been an unavoidable choice—not only because of its market presence but also because each facelift accurately targets the needs of family users. The 2023 Myvi 1.3 G with PSDA, positioned as the entry-level flagship model of the series, is priced at RM 46,500 and comes with basic safety features standard across the range, aiming to strike the best balance between value and practicality. We got our hands on the actual vehicle this time to see if it truly "delivers" in daily commutes and weekend family outings, and to determine its core advantages compared to competitors in the same price range.

In terms of appearance, the 2023 Myvi 1.3 G with PSDA continues the youthful design language of the series but pays more attention to details for better recognition. The front end features Perodua's signature large grille paired with a blacked-out lower bumper, giving it a sportier look compared to older models. The headlights have been upgraded to full LED units, offering higher brightness and a sharper appearance when lit, in line with current aesthetics. The side profile of the car is simple, with 14-inch steel wheels that may not be as striking as alloy wheels but are paired with 175/65 R14 tires for a better balance of comfort and economy. The rear design is relatively conservative, with LED taillights echoing the front design, and a black plastic panel on the lower part of the rear bumper adds a touch of crossover styling. Overall, the design is enduringly pleasing, without coming across as overly aggressive or outdated.

Sitting inside, the first impression is that the interior layout is very orderly. Although the materials mostly consist of hard plastic, the seams are handled well, avoiding an overtly cheap feel. The dashboard adopts a symmetrical design with a traditional backlit instrument cluster on the top and a manual single-zone air conditioning system in the center. The buttons and knobs offer moderate resistance, making them easy to operate—worth mentioning is that the air conditioning system features a memory function, automatically restoring previous settings once the vehicle is restarted. A multi-function steering wheel comes standard, with buttons on the left side for volume control and phone calls, while the right side is used for toggling instrument cluster information—meeting basic operational needs during driving. The seats are covered in fabric and the front row supports manual adjustments. While not equipped with electric adjustment, the range covers most drivers' heights; the rear seats have a 60:40 split-fold design with a moderate recline angle, but the fixed headrests might impact the neck comfort of some passengers during long journeys.

Regarding space, the Myvi 1.3 G with PSDA has a wheelbase of 2500mm, which is average for a B-segment model. With a 175cm tall driver in the front seat, the headroom has a fist of space remaining, and the legroom feels adequate. The rear seats can comfortably fit two adults, with about two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom. However, adding a third passenger might make legroom tighter in the middle, as there's a slight floor hump. In terms of storage, the front door panels can hold two bottles of water, and there's an open storage compartment below the central dashboard, suitable for placing a phone or wallet. The trunk has a capacity of 277L, enough to accommodate a few shopping bags or a cabin-sized suitcase. Folding down the rear seats can expand the space, making it suitable for short-distance moving or carrying bulky items. Additionally, the rear seats come with ISO FIX anchors for child seats, which is an essential feature for families with children.

Dynamic Driving: The Myvi 1.3 G with PSDA is equipped with a 1.3L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 95PS and peak torque at 4000rpm, paired with a CVT gearbox. The power response is relatively smooth at startup, suitable for low-speed urban driving. When accelerating with a deep throttle, the CVT gearbox simulates gear shifts, and noticeable power output can be felt when the engine speed climbs to around 6000rpm. However, overall acceleration is not aggressive, with an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 11.5 seconds, aligning with expectations for this class. During daily commutes, keeping the engine speed below 2000rpm is sufficient, and the gearbox offers smooth performance with almost no jerkiness.

Handling: The combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear torsion beam semi-independent suspension is a common setup in this class. The steering wheel is relatively light, which means female drivers won’t feel fatigued, and the responsiveness is good with minimal play, making lane changes or U-turns very agile. The suspension is tuned for comfort, filtering out most minor vibrations when going over speed bumps or rough roads. However, when tackling larger bumps at speed, the rear seats may feel noticeable bounces. During cornering, the body roll is well-controlled and doesn’t give a feeling of instability. The overall handling is steady and suitable for daily family use.

Fuel consumption is a traditional advantage of the Myvi, and the 1.3 G with PSDA we tested is no exception. We drove 100km in urban conditions (approximately 60% congested, 40% smooth), and the displayed fuel consumption was about 4.8L/100km, close to the official composite figure of 4.5L/100km. On highways (cruising at 100-120km/h), the fuel consumption is approximately 4.2L/100km. With a fuel tank capacity of 36L, a full tank can provide a range of over 750km, which is sufficient for a week of commuting. Additionally, the engine start-stop feature is standard, which allows automatic engine shutdown at red lights, further reducing fuel consumption.

Ride Comfort: The noise control is relatively good, with minimal tire and engine noise during low-speed urban driving. At highway speeds of up to 120km/h, wind noise from the A-pillars enters the cabin but does not affect normal conversation. The seats offer decent support, and driving continuously for two hours doesn’t result in back or lumbar discomfort. Does the rear row have air conditioning vents? No, this test model does not have rear air conditioning vents. Rear-seat passengers may feel a bit warm in summer, which is a minor drawback.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2023 Perodua Myvi 1.3 G with PSDA are threefold: First, it offers high value for money, with a price of RM 46,500, featuring standard equipment like four airbags, stability control, and keyless entry across all models. When compared to competitors at the same price point (such as the Proton Iriz 1.3 Standard), its features are more abundant. Second, it has low fuel consumption, making daily running costs affordable, which is ideal for budget-conscious families. Third, it provides practical space, meeting the needs of daily commuting and short family trips. However, it also has shortcomings, such as underpowered performance, the lack of rear air conditioning vents, and average interior materials.

This car is best suited for practical and economical family users, especially newlyweds or young couples with children — its safety features are sufficient, the space meets the needs of a small family, and the low fuel consumption can help reduce the cost of car ownership. Additionally, young professionals with limited budgets can also consider it, as it has low maintenance costs and a large market presence, making future repairs convenient. If you're looking for more power or luxurious features, you can check out the 1.5L version of the Myvi, but if it's just for daily commuting and family use, the 1.3 G with PSDA is more than adequate.

Overall, the Myvi 1.3 G with PSDA is not a car that pursues extreme performance or luxury, but rather a 'just right' family car — it meets all your basic needs for a commuting vehicle and performs excellently in terms of cost-effectiveness and reliability, which is why it remains enduringly popular in the Malaysian market.