2023 Perodua Axia E MT launched in Malaysia at RM 22,000

KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua introduced the all-new Axia in four automatic versions based on the latest Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform in February this year. Back then, it confirmed the manual trim of the hatchback is not dead and will be arriving soon with the same underpinnings as earlier. Well, the day has come; the 2023 Perodua Axia E MT is in front of us.

Affordably priced at RM 22,000, the new Axia E manual is introduced specifically for driving schools and manual purists. It appears almost the same as its predecessor with the most basic features combined with a fuel-efficient engine and the conventional floor-mounted stick shift. 

The exterior continues to equip just the bare necessities like projector headlights, manually-adjustable side mirrors, LED combination tail lights, and 14-inch steel wheels. The bumper of the car is taken from its 2017 version. The colour palette gets an update in the form of a new Granite Grey option. Ivory White and Glittering Silver are among the continuing shades.

The cabin looks basic with regular fabric seat upholstery,  an analogue speedometer with a digital fuel gauge, manual air-conditioning, a polyurethane steering wheel, and power windows. The safety kit also remains the same with dual front airbags, seat belt reminder, and ISOFIX rear seat anchor points.

Under the hood lies a 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated 3-cylinder VVT-i unit that kicks out a maximum power of 68 hp and a peak torque of 91 Nm. The power is sent to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. The fuel consumption is rated at 22.5 kmpl.

Upon introducing the Axia manual trim, Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, ““While we do not dictate who our customers are, we believe that having this model would be a welcome option by the majority of Malaysians. The Perodua Axia E has been market tested and proven over the years and we believe that this variant would serve its current role of giving motorcycle owners an opportunity to own a new car”.

He added, “Based on a discussion with local financial institutions, we found that it only takes RM300 per month to pay the hire purchase cost of owning the Axia E. This is the same cost that would take for someone to buy a brand new motorcycle on hire purchase.”

Perodua aims to sell a total of 1,5000 units of the Axia E MT monthly. 

Also read: Perodua joined hands with Public Bank to offer financing facilities