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

Perodua launched the all-new second-generation Alza almost a month ago, which has been receiving all the attention and love from Malaysians. The MPV has gathered record-breaking booking numbers with over 39,000 reservations made so far. On the other hand, Malaysia’s first home-grown MPV or the Alza’s close rival, the Proton Exora has also received a minor update recently. 

Now that the upgraded models of these two Malaysian MPVs are on the market, the confusion among prospective buyers is obvious as to which MPV they should pick. In this article, we put these seven-seater MPVs neck-to-neck, thus helping buyers to know which offers the better deal as per their requirements. So, let’s get started with the pricing comparison.

2022 Perodua Alza vs 2022 Proton Exora: Price

Perodua offers the new Alza in three trims - X, H, and AV, whereas the latest Exora comes in two variants just like earlier. Here are detailed variant-wise price-lists - 

2022 Perodua Alza variants	Price (on-road without insurance and with sales tax)	2022 Proton Exora variants	Price (on-road without insurance and with sales tax)
X	RM 62,500	Executive	RM 62,800
H	RM 68,000	Premium	RM 69,800
AV	RM 75,500

The above table reveals that the base-spec models of the two MPVs are almost priced the same with a slight difference of RM 300. As for the top-spec Alza AV, Perodua asks for RM 75,500 i.e. RM 5,700 more than the top-spec Exora.

2022 Perodua Alza vs 2022 Proton Exora: Dimensions

Dimensions	2022 Perodua Alza	2022 Proton Exora
Length	4,425 mm	4615 mm
Width	1,730 mm	1809 mm
Height	1,670 mm	1691 mm
Wheelbase	2,750 mm	2730 mm
Boot capacity (with the third row in place)	137 litres	132 litres

Size-wise, the Proton Exora is longer, wider and slightly taller than the Alza, which means the former offers more space inside the cabin ensuring better comfort for passengers. It is to be noted here that the Exora holds a Malaysian Book of Records for “Most people in an MPV”. However, when it comes to wheelbase and boot capacity, the latest Alza has a little edge over the Exora.

2022 Perodua Alza vs 2022 Proton Exora: Engine specifications

All the three variants of the new Alza are powered by a new 1.5-litre DVVTi engine, and in the same way, the two Exora trims also get energy from the identical 1.6-litre turbo mill. The detailed engine specifications are as follows -

Specifications	2022 Perodua Alza	2022 Proton Exora
Engine	1.5-litre DVVTi naturally-aspirated four-cyl petrol	1.6-litre turbocharged four-cyl petrol
Max power	105 PS at 6,000 rpm	140 PS at 5,000 rpm
Max torque	138 Nm at 4,200 rpm	205 Nm from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm
Transmission	D-CVT	CVT
Fuel economy	22 kmpl	10.22 kmpl
Drive modes	Normal, Eco, and Sport	NA

By comparing the engine specs of the two Malaysian MPVs, we can say that the Exora is more powerful than the Alza with better power and torque levels. Although, if we see the fuel economy figures, the Proton MPV is far behind the Perodua model. With the new engine and new D-CVT gearbox (world's first split-gear CVT system), the latter offers 40% better fuel efficiency with improved performance, claims Perodua. The Alza also comes equipped with three driving modes - Normal, Eco, and Sport.

2022 Perodua Alza vs 2022 Proton Exora: Features 

To compare the two MPVs in terms of features, we put their top-spec variants against each other and got to know the new Alza is better equipped than the cheaper Exora and thus justifying its higher price tag.

Specifications	2022 Perodua Alza	2022 Proton Exora
Exterior	LED headlights with Auto High Beam and follow-me-home function, LED fog lamps, LED tail lights, auto-retractable door mirrors, 16-inch two-tone alloys	Halogen headlamps, LED DRLs, electric door mirrors with turn indicators, dual-tone 16-inch alloy wheels
Interior	7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 9.0-inch infotainment unit with Wired Android Auto, Leather-wrapped steering wheel with a drive mode button, electronic parking brake, keyless entry with push-start button, semi-leather upholstery, six speakers	Multi-info instrument cluster display, 7.0-inch infotainment unit, “Hi Proton” voice command system, air-con system with N95 cabin filter, standard audio system with four speakers, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leatherette upholstery
Safety	Pre collision warning, pre-collision braking, pedal misoperation control, front departure alert, front & rear parking sensors, Adaptive Driving Beam headlights, Lane Keep Control, Blind spot monitor, Rear cross-traffic alert, 360-degree panoramic surround view monitor, Six airbags, ABS with EBD & BA, hill start assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, emergency stop signal, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention	Two SRS airbags, electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, emergency stop signal, two rear parking sensors, reverse camera

Verdict

If you want a feature-packed, safe, and fuel-efficient MPV for your family, you must choose the new Alza. However, if these things do not matter and spaciousness and power are your priorities, the Exora is for you.

Also read: Perodua teamed up with MIDA to support local suppliers’ digital transformation