Perodua Alza vs Rivals: The best value-for-money MPV in Malaysia?

The Malaysian automotive market has recently witnessed an influx of electric MPVs, wooing eco-conscious customers with their luxury appeal and futuristic tech. But despite the EV buzz, the popularity of the ICE-powered MPVs does not seem to fade anytime soon, especially among customers seeking a reliable, affordable, and easy-to-maintain vehicle for their families. 

One such MPV that gets the formula just right is the Perodua Alza. It is a practical, feature-packed, and competitively priced MPV, holding the top position in the 7-seater family MPV category in the country. 

Perodua Alza was the fifth best-selling car in Malaysia in 2024 with a total deliveries of 44,374 units.

In today’s story, we will be comparing the Perodua Alza with its top alternatives in the B-segment MPV category, such as the Toyota Veloz and Mitsubishi Xpander, giving prospective buyers a gist of how it really stacks up against the competition.

Perodua Alza vs Rivals: Price

Perodua offers the Alza in three variants - X, H, and AV, priced between RM 62,500 and RM 75,500 (on the road without insurance). Here’s how its price compares against the rivals -

Models	Perodua Alza	Toyota Veloz	Mitsubishi Xpander
Variants	3 - X, H, and AV	1 - 1.5 A/T	2 - Base and Plus
Price	RM 62,500 to RM 75,500	RM 95,000	RM 99,980 and RM 109,980

As we can see, the Alza is the most competitively priced in the bunch, with a starting price of RM 62,500. The Veloz, which is essentially a premium version of the Alza, is RM 20,000 pricier than it. However, for the Mitsubishi Xpander, customers need to shell out at least RM 1,00,000 (approx). Notably, the Veloz and Xpander are also locally assembled in Malaysia.

Honda BR-V, priced around RM 90,000, was also among the Alza key rivals. However, due to poor sales, it was discontinued in 2023.

Perodua Alza vs Rivals: Dimensions

Specs	Perodua Alza	Toyota Veloz	Mitsubishi Xpander
Length	4,425 mm	4,475 mm	4,595 mm
Width	1730 mm	1,750 mm	1,750 mm
Height	1670 mm	1,700 mm	1,750 mm
Wheelbase	2750 mm	2,750 mm	2,775 mm
Ground clearance	160 mm	190 mm	225 mm
Boot space (third-row folded)	498 litres	498 litres	495 litres

In terms of dimensions, the Alza is a compact MPV offering better handling when manoeuvring through tight spaces in the city. The Xpander, on the other hand, is a clear winner with the maximum length, width, height, and wheelbase. It also has the highest ground clearance, making it well-suited for rough roads and taller passengers.

Speaking of the Toyota Veloz, it underpins the same platform as the Alza and has slightly bigger dimensions than it. However, the Alza sits 30 mm lower than the Toyota’s vehicle, as Perodua believes that 160 mm is the best height for a pleasant Malaysian drive in the case of an MPV. It offers an easy entry/exit for children and elderly people.

Perodua Alza vs Rivals: Engine and performance

Specs	Perodua Alza	Toyota Veloz	Mitsubishi Xpander
Engine	1.5-litre Dual-VVTi NA four-cylinder	1.5-litre Dual-VVTi NA four-cylinder	1.5-litre MIVEC DOHC four-cyl
Max power	106 PS	106 PS	105 PS
Max torque	138 Nm	138 Nm	141 Nm
Transmission	D-CVT	7-speed CVT	4-speed Automatic

As built on the same base, the Perouda Alza and Toyota Veloz come powered by the same 1.5-litre mill producing 106 PS of maximum power and 138 Nm of torque. The Xpander also comes with the same engine capacity, delivering almost the same level of output. 

However, when it comes to the gearbox, the Perodua and Toyota MPVs are equipped with modern CVT units, promising smoother performance and greater fuel efficiency, while the Mitsubishi still uses the less refined 4-speed AT, which feels a bit dated.

While the Perodua Alza offers impressive fuel efficiency of up to 22 kmpl, official fuel consumption figures for the Toyota Veloz and Mitsubishi Xpander have not been provided.

Perodua Alza vs Rivals: Design and features

The design remains a subjective thing when comparing the vehicles, as what appeals to you may not look impressive to the other. 

With that said, the Perodua Alza has a car-like design with a low stance, giving it a clean urban-friendly look. The Veloz, on the contrary, looks bold and premium with a glossy trapezoidal front grille and chunky bumpers, targeting those who want an MPV with an upscale vibe.

The Xpander looks the most SUV-like with rugged design elements and a higher ground clearance. It could be a great pick for those who want their MPV to stand out on the road.

Here’s a quick feature-wise comparison of the three MPVs -

Model	Perodua Alza AV	Toyota Veloz	Mitsubishi Xpander Plus
Headlights	LED with sequential turn signals	LED with sequential turn signals	LED
DRLs	LED	LED	LED
Tail Lights	LED	LED with a connected bar	LED
Wheels	16-inch alloy	17-inch alloy	17-inch alloy wheels
Infotainment	9.0-inch touchscreen display	9.0-inch touchscreen display	9.0-inch touch screen display
Smartphone connectivity	Wired Android Auto	Wired/wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto	Wired Apple Car Play & Android Auto
Speaker	6	6	6
Instrument cluster	7.0-inch TFT	7.0-inch coloured MID	4.2-inch TFT Coloured LCD
Air-conditioning	Manual with digital controls	Single Auto	Single Auto
Wireless charger	No	Yes	Yes
Electronic parking brake	Yes	Yes	No
Upholstery	Semi-leather	Semi-leather	Leatherette
Ambient lighting	No	Yes	No
Push-start button	Yes	Yes	Yes
Drive modes	Yes (Eco, Normal, Power)	Yes (Eco, Normal, Power)	No
Airbags	Six	Six	Two
ADAS pack	Perodua Smart Driver Assist and Advanced Safety Assist 3.0	Toyota Safety Sense	No

The comparison reveals that the Perodua Alza and Toyota Veloz are well-equipped to meet the requirements of modern-day users. However, with the latter, customers get some premium bits like bigger wheels, Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a wireless charger, which justifies its higher price tag.

In contrast, the Xpander, despite its SUV-like appearance and spaciousness, disappoints in safety and tech. It misses out on equipment like electronic parking, ambient lighting, and drive modes. In terms of safety, it has only two airbags with no advanced driver-assistance systems, which can be a major deal breaker for safety-conscious buyers.

Verdict - Does the Perodua Alza offer the best value?

The answer is yes. The Alza offers an unbeatable value in the segment. It may not have a flashy design or a luxurious cabin, but it gets the fundamentals right. It emphasizes what matters the most to families - everyday comfort, solid features, and smart pricing.

Also read: Perodua EV testing starts this June; December 2025 launch confirmed