2021 Perodua Aruz - First impression

This year, Perodua has already shaken the Malaysian automotive landscape with the launch of the all-new Ativa. The brand’s compact SUV has a long waiting list increasing with 290 average bookings per day. Well, this is not the only Perodua model, which is doing well as we already know the story of its highly popular models - Myvi, Axia, and Bezza that remain at the top in Malaysia's best-selling models' list. But among all these, we cannot forget the brand’s seven-seater Aruz that is also attracting more and more buyers since its launch in 2019. The SUV recently received an update and in today’s guide, we are going to tell you our first impression about it.

2021 Perodua Aruz Exterior

On the front, the Perodua Aruz continues to flaunt its sporty and attractive design with elements like chrome and glossy grille, sleek LED headlights and sporty front bumper. The rear end also has the same LED combination lights and a roof-mounted rear spoiler. But if we look on the sides, the changes are apparent. Here, both the X and AV variants now feature side steps for easy ingress and egress. There is also a new Aruz badge below the rear doors that goes well with big 17-inch alloy wheels, and subtle character lines.

The SUV’s doors also get a new speed-sensitive automatic door locking feature that automatically locks the door when the car cruises above 20 kmph. However, in case of an accident, the doors will automatically unlock.

Other than these, the automaker also introduced a new colour option for the Aruz i.e. Passion Red, which is exclusive to the AV variant. The continuing options list includes Granite Grey, Electric Blue, Glittering Silver, and non-metallic Ivory White.

2021 Perodua Arux Interior

Inside the cabin, Perodua Aruz features the same styling and features with plenty of space ensuring maximum passenger comfort. The features list includes front semi bucket suckers, leather upholstery, large touchscreen display, smartphone integration via Smart Link for Android devices, keyless entry and start, digital AC controls, rear AC vents, integrated driving video recorder, power sockets for all rows, built-in toll reader, navigation, and much more.

2021 Perodua Aruz Engine Specifications

On the mechanical front, both the Aruz variants continue to get the power from the same engine, that’s a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-popper Dual VVT-i unit producing a maximum power of 102 PS at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 133 Nm at 4,200 rpm. To send drive to the SUV’s rear wheels, the engine set up has a four-speed 4E-AT automatic transmission. If we talk about the Aruz fuel consumption, it also remains the same at 6.4 litres per km with the Eco Idle system.

2021 Perodua Aruz Safety

In terms of safety, the Perodua Aruz specs sheet already has standard features like six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill-start assist, Hill descent control, ISOFIX, and emergency stop signal. Above all these, the top-spec AV trim also has Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0 with advanced systems like 

• Pre-Collision Warning (between 4 kmph to 100 kmph)
• Pre-Collision Braking (4 kmph to 80 kmph) with pedestrian detection (4 kmph to 50 kmph)
• Front departure alert 
• Pedal misoperation control.

For 2021, the automaker did make any change to the safety bits.

2021 Perodua Aruz Price

As expected, Perodua has not increased the price of the SUV for 2021. This means the new variants continue to retail on the previous price tags i.e. RM 68,526 for the entry-level X and RM 73,226 for the top AV. The prices are on the road without insurance, inclusive of the government's sales and services tax exemption that will last until June 30, 2021. Also included in the price is a five-year or 150,000 km manufacturer’s warranty.

While launching the new model, Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad stated “Perodua expresses our gratitude to all our valued customers, whose feedback helped us tweak the Aruz to better satisfy the real needs and wants of the majority of Malaysians.” He further added, “With well over 60,000 sold since its 2019 birth, the Perodua Aruz was already the nation’s best-selling SUV in 2019 and 2020, but, true to the principles of Kaizen, we believe there are always ways we can make our products incrementally better.”

Also read: Perodua reports April 2021 sales figures; Ativa contributed 22%