Perodua Alza: Malaysia’s favourite 7-seater family MPV - Here’s why?

Designed to cater to the diverse needs of Malaysian families, the Perodua Alza has established itself as Malaysia’s top choice for a family-oriented 7-seater MPV. The statement is backed by recent sales data released by JPJ ((Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan) for the first eight months of 2024. As per that, the Perodua Alza is the top-selling B-segment MPVs in Malaysia with a total of 28,967 units registered between January and August. 

The Alza is much ahead of its closest competitors - the Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Veloz. The former is Malaysia’s top-selling non-national MPV, which recorded sales of 5,902 units. Meanwhile, the Toyota Veloz follows closely behind with 4,433 units sold. The comparison shows that many Malaysian consumers prefer Alza over other options in the category.

First introduced in 2009, the Alza received a generation upgrade after a good thirteen years in 2022. The automaker took time in designing the new Alza as it wanted to comprehend what kind of improvements the customers wanted to see in the upgraded version. And, as a result, the second-gen Alza came forward as a versatile, spacious, and well-equipped SUV based on the new Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform. 

The new Alza comes in three variants - X, H, and AV, with prices ranging from RM 62,500 to 75,500. All are powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a new D-CVT gearbox.

In this article, we are going to explore what makes the Perodua Alza Malaysia's favourite 7-seater family MPV. So, let’s get started.

Spacious interior design 

The MPV has a spacious 7-seater cabin with a flexible seating arrangement that comfortably accommodates up to seven passengers. The cabin is designed thoughtfully to provide ample legroom and headroom for all passengers. It is equipped with comfortable seats, making long journeys more pleasant for families. The Alza also offers a practical boot space of 137 litres, which can be expanded up to 498 litres by folding down the third-row seats.

Flexible seating arrangement 

One of the standout features of the Perodua Alza is its flexible seating arrangement, designed to adapt to various family needs and lifestyle demands. The MPV offers five distinct layouts - 

• 7-Passenger mode: This is ideal for family outings with all seven passengers sitting comfortably.
• 5-Passenger mode: It provides extra space for luggage or groceries while accommodating five passengers.
• 2-Passenger mode: It transforms the Alza into a cargo-focused vehicle, offering maximum storage capacity.
• Rest mode: It creates a flat surface for passengers to relax or even sleep during long journeys.
• Flexi mode: It allows users to adjust the second-row seats to maximise cargo space.

Low-ground clearance

Further making the Alza Malaysia’s preferred family MPV is the low ground clearance. Perodua kept the Alza ground clearance to a car-like 160 mm, which is lower than its top competitors. For instance, the Mitsubishi Xpander comes with 225 mm and the Veloz has a ground clearance of 190 mm. 

The low ride height enhances accessibility for older passengers and children, making it easier for families to enter and exit the vehicle. Also, it offers the best height for a good Malaysian drive in the category, claims Perodua.

Fuel efficiency

In an age where fuel prices are a concern for many families, the Perodua Alza stands out with its impressive fuel efficiency. It comes equipped with a 1.5-litre DVVTi naturally-aspirated engine combined with the world's first split-gear CVT system. According to the automaker, the upgraded setup not only offers improved performance but a 40% better fuel efficiency. 

Figuratively, the claimed fuel consumption of the Perodua Alza is 4.55 litres per 100 km, which is approximately equivalent to 22 kmpl on the Malaysia Driving Cycle. This impressive mileage helps families save on fuel costs while providing the performance needed for both city and highway driving.

Safety features

Safety is paramount for a family MPV, and Alza does not disappoint in this regard. In fact, it sets a benchmark in the segment as all its three variants are equipped with Perdoua’s latest Advanced Safety Assist 3.0 pack. This comprises advanced safety gears like pre-collision warning, pre-collision braking (or autonomous emergency braking), pedal misoperation control, and front departure alert. 

The MPV’s standard safety suite also includes - six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, vehicle stability control, hill start assist,  traction control, rear parking sensors, emergency stop signal, auto high beam, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, and ISOFIX system with top tether.

With the top-spec Alza AV also comes more advanced driver assist technologies such as adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality, lane keep control, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree panoramic surround view monitor. All these together offer the SAE Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities to customers.

Speaking of the Perodua Alza safety rating, Malaysia’s favourite MPV holds a perfect 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating with an overall score of 81.64 points. 

Modern technology and comfort features

The Alza also comes loaded with modern technology enhancing the overall driving experience for all occupants. Depending on the variant chosen, the MPV features a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment unit supporting wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, which makes the daily ride easier and enjoyable. As for driving-related info, the vehicle gets a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. 

Adding to the comfort and convenience is a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a drive mode selector button, three driving modes, an electronic parking brake, keyless entry with push-start button, semi-leather upholstery, USB ports, and a front dashcam.

Affordability

For many families, Price is a crucial deciding factor at the time of purchasing a new vehicle. And thus, Perodua Alza is competitively priced in the market, with a price range of RM 62,500 to RM 75,500. This pricing makes it more accessible compared to its rivals, such as the Toyota Veloz at RM 95,000 and the Mitsubishi Xpander ranging between RM 99,980 and RM 109,980. 

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the Perodua Alza is a smart choice for families seeking an economical yet dependable MPV. It is affordably priced without compromising on quality and offers a comprehensive package of features and reliability. Additionally, the low maintenance costs associated with Perodua vehicles further enhance its overall value proposition.

Also read: Perodua launches effortless online booking (POB): How to easily book your car online in minutes