Perodua Aruz: Features explained

The Perodua Aruz is arguably one of the best sales success stories in the SUV category in Malaysia. The Aruz is basically a rebadged avatar of the already popular Toyota Rush, and with prices starting at RM 72,900 for the entry-level 1.5 X trim and RM 77,900 for the fully-loaded 1.5 AV trim, this Perodua offers a brilliant value-for-money deal, without cutting too many corners. The all-new Aruz went on sale in January of this year, and it competes with the likes of the aforementioned Toyota Rush and Honda BR-V. While its Japanese rivals undoubtedly hold a little more brand cachet in our market, the well priced Perodua Aruz strikes back with some fantastic features and equipment -- with all the practicality and goodness that comes along with being a seven-seater SUV.

Exterior features

Compared to its MPV-esque looking Honda rival, the Perodua Aruz’s SUV-like exterior design is certainly one that stands out and is understandably one of its most prominent features. The sculpted front end of the Aruz gets a muscular bonnet with sharp creases, sophisticated and sleek LED headlamps with distinctive LED daytime running lights (DRLs), multi-slatted chrome grille, and a sharply contoured but aesthetically pleasing bumper with well-integrated fog lights, and a faux skid plate.

The most captivating features along the side of the Aruz include its dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, pronounced wheel arches, plastic lower body cladding, sharp character lines, rising beltline, and subtle yet sporty looking roof rails. The rear of the Aruz features sharp and angular LED tail lamps that are connected to one another by chrome, glossy black and satin silver trim pieces. There’s also a large and prominent roof spoiler and a slender rear bumper with integrated static reflectors, faux vents and a skid plate/diffuser. In terms of colour options, the Perodua Aruz is available in Amazon Green, Electric Blue, Granite Grey, Glittering Silver, and Ivory White (solid).

Interior features

There are more than enough features to keep occupants preoccupied on the interior of the Perodua Aruz. For example, as standard, the entry-level variant of the Aruz comes with seat height adjustment for the driver, split and foldable third-row seats, split second-row with single touch tumble plus slide and recline operation, digital AC with memory function and rear ceiling-mounted vents, power-operated and folding wing mirrors, dual USB and 12V power sockets, built-in toll reader, push-button engine start, six-speaker sound system, and a 7-inch resistive touchscreen unit with support for Bluetooth, MP3, and USB.

Meanwhile, the top trim adds other features such as semi-bucket leather seats, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and shift lever, infotainment system with built-in navigation, 'Smart Link' connectivity feature for Android devices and HDMI support, and an integrated Driving Video Recorder (DVR). As for the overall quality and fit & finish of the interior, it’s fairly decent, but nothing to write home about. The design is quite straightforward and though Perodua has inserted some glossy black and silver bits of trim, the interior of the Rush is slightly more upmarket in its feel. Of course, in terms of space and comfort, the Aruz’s cabin doesn’t really disappoint - there’s sufficient room for average-sized adults even in the last row, while the seats themselves provide adequate support and are cushy enough, too.

Engine and performance

The Perodua Aruz specs sheet shows that it is powered by the now familiar and reliable 2NR-VE 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. This naturally-aspirated unit features the Malaysian marque’s ‘eco idle’ engine stop-start technology, direct fuel injection and dual overhead camshafts for increased refinement and efficiency, and as a result, it generates 101 hp and 133 Nm of maximum torque. Power is directed towards the rear wheels via a 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission, and despite its large proportions and bulk, the Aruz is capable of achieving an average fuel economy of up to 15.6 kmpl - courtesy of Perodua’s tuning and the engine stop-start system. As for its straight-line performance, this seven-seater isn’t designed to enthral with its blistering speed but is still capable of hitting a top whack of 175 kmph, with the 100 kmph mark being breached in around 13 seconds.

Safety features

As standard, even the base variant of the Perodua Aruz wears a 5-star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating, and comes equipped with six airbags (front, side & curtain), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Traction Control (TRC), Hill-start Assist (HSA), Emergency stop signal (ESS), ISOFIX anchors with top tether, seat belt reminder, and parking sensors with reversing camera. Step up to the AV trim, however, and the Aruz becomes available with automatic headlights, front fog lights, and most importantly, Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0 package. This ropes in several vital safety features such as Pre-collision Warning (PCW) with pedestrian detection, Pre-collision Braking (PCB), Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC), and Front Departure Alert (FDA).