2022 Perodua Alza: Hits & Misses

Unveiled back in July, the all-new Perodua Alza continues to break all records the brand has ever made in terms of bookings. The automaker launched the upgraded MPV with a bag full of 30,000 orders, the highest ever in its history, which has now crossed the mark of 51k. Although, the delivery numbers are quite low with just 7,682 Alzas handovered to the customers in the month of July and August.

The new Alza is a versatile and spacious SUV loaded with a bucketload of advanced tech and safety bits. But, does it have everything that one wishes in an MPV? We will say almost as it misses out on a few aspects. In today’s story, we will be discussing the 2022 Perodua Alza hits and misses, but before that let’s have a quick look at the vehicle’s price and variant information.

2022 Perodua Alza variants	Price (on-the-road without insurance, with sales tax)
Alza X	RM 62,500
Alza H	RM 68,000
Alza AV	RM 75,500

Each purchase is accompanied by a 5-year/150,000 km (whichever comes earlier) manufacturer’s warranty. 

Time to discuss the Alza hits & misses 

2022 Perodua Alza Hits

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay: The new Alza comes equipped with the latest connectivity features i.e. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This makes it the first-ever Malaysian-made car to offer these smartphone linking systems. It displays your phone apps like on the big 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. While the connectivity is still wired, it is something that really makes the daily ride easier and enjoyable. 

5-star safety rating: The latest Alza is way better than the older unit in terms of safety. It is loaded with a long list of advanced active and passive safety systems that helped it get a perfect 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating with an overall score of 81.64 points. 

The pack includes six airbags, pre-collision warning, pre-collision braking, pedal misoperation control, and front departure alert,  lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, auto high beam, ISOFIX, vehicle stability control, traction control, emergency stop signal, front & rear parking sensors, Adaptive Driving Beam headlights, Adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality, lane keep control, blind spot monitor, reverse camera and rear cross-traffic alert. 

Low-ground clearance: Perodua deliberately kept the Alza ground clearance to a car-like 160 mm, which is lower than almost all of its top competitors. For instance, the Mitsubishi Xpander comes with 205 mm, BR-V has 200 mm, and the upcoming Veloz, which is the sister model to the Alza, will have a ground clearance of 190 mm. According to the automaker, the reason behind this low ground clearance is the ease of access, especially for older passengers and kids. It also claims that it offers the best height for a good Malaysian drive in the category.

Greater digitalization: Apart from the latest connectivity bits, the MPV also benefits from several other tech niceties, taking comfort and convenience to the next level. These include a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, leather-wrapped steering wheel with a drive mode selector button, electronic parking brake, keyless entry with push-start button, and a 360-degree panoramic surround view monitor. 

Fuel-efficient engine: Under the bonnet of the new Alza lies a completely new setup borrowed from the best-selling Myvi. That comprises a 1.5-litre DVVTi naturally-aspirated engine tied with the world's first split-gear CVT system. According to Perodua, the new setup offers improved performance and 40% better fuel efficiency. Figuratively, the Alza’s claimed fuel consumption is 22 kmpl (4.55 litres per 100 km).

2022 Perodua Alza Misses

Cramped centre stack: Perodua redesigned the cabin of the Alza to provide the occupants with more comfort and convenience, but if we particularly talk about the central console, it lacks enough space for keeping a mobile phone. As the latter has become an extension of our arms these days, keeping them handy is what most people prefer. However, this issue is specific to the top-spec AV as here the large gap at the base of the centre stack available in the lower trims is sealed up.

Relatively less powerful: As mentioned above, the latest iteration of the Alza comes equipped with a new 1.5L naturally aspirated engine. The new mill churns out 105 hp of maximum power at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm of peak torque at 4,200 rpm. The numbers are comparatively less than its closest rival, the Proton Exora, which is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged mill delivering 140 PS at 5,000 rpm and 205 Nm from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm. While the Exora’s bigger turbo engine leads to higher running costs, it could be a deal breaker for those who want a power-packed vehicle.

Also read: 2022 Perodua Alza vs 2022 Proton Exora: Which Malaysian MPV offers the better deal?

While ignoring these few points, we can conclude that the all-new Perodua Alza is an amazing deal at the given price point. It is feature-packed, comfortable, safe, fuel-efficient and whatnot. So, what do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: Perodua registers 42% sales growth in August 2022