While strengthening its position as Malaysia's top-selling car brand, Perodua sold more than 20k cars in the first month of this financial year. And, to this total tally, the company’s latest SUV Ativa contributed a remarkable 22.7% with a total sales of almost 9000 units in just two months after launch. According to Perodua, the SUV’s demand continues to be strong, with 290 average bookings per day. In fact, the waiting time for it now stands between two to four months, depending on variant and colour opted by the buyer. 

Looking at this, one can interpret that Ativa has stepped up Perodua's game in the Malaysian automotive arena. No doubt, it is a great car but does it mean it excels in all areas? Well, like everything in this world, it also misses out on a few aspects; things that could have been better. So, in today’s guide, we will talk about the Perodua Ativa pros and cons. But before we dive into the topic, here’s the price list of the Ativa.

Variant	Price (on-the-road excluding insurance and including SST exemption)
Perodua Ativa X	RM 61,500
Perodua Ativa H	RM 66,100
Perodua Ativa AV	RM 71,200 (RM 72,000 in case of two-tone paint)

As you would already know, the Perodua Ativa is available in three trims -X. H and AV. All are powered by the same 1.0-litre engine. So let’s get the engine specs out of the way as well.

Engine	1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine
Max. Output	98 PS at 6,000 rpm
Max. Torque	140 Nm from 2,400 to 4,000 rpm
Transmission	D-CVT

Perodua Ativa Pros

Adaptive Driving Beam

Perodua’s latest SUV features adaptive driving beams, which are new to the brand as well as the segment. These work much like Audi’s matrix headlights, by detecting the oncoming vehicles with the help of software and sensors and then turning off individual LEDs to prevent glare. 

Class-leading fuel efficiency

As we mentioned above, the Ativa sources its energy from a turbocharged 1.0-litre mill that generates a maximum power of 98 PS and a peak torque of 140 Nm. Alongside good low and mid-range performance, the SUV offers a class-leading rated fuel efficiency of 18.9 kmpl, which makes it an EEV. 

D-CVT gearbox

The Ativa uses a CVT gearbox, called D-CVT (Dual-Mode CVT) It is said to be one of the best continuous variable transmissions available out there. It gives a smart response to throttle inputs and works pretty well with the engine. This is for the first time a Perodua model gets a CVT.

Good suspension

While the SUV is based on the Toyota Raize, it gets a slightly different suspension setup particularly tuned for Malaysia’s roads and the seasonal floods. According to Perodua, the different suspension setting makes the Ativa more balanced while driving, as opposed to the Japanese twin. It also aids stability at higher speeds.

Advanced safety features

As for safety, all Perodua Ativa variants are fitted with the Advanced Safety Assist ADAS pack, including features like Pre-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Warning, Pedal Misoperation Control, Front Departure Alert, and Lane Departure Warning. On top of these, the top-spec AV also gets Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Control, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Perodua Ativa Cons

No Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

If we just see the centre screen of the SUV, we might not get any flaws. But when we operate it, we encounter a few problems. It does have not-very-useful SmartLink connectivity, but it does not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity support, the feature which is one of the most important inclusions in modern-day cars. If it could be there, Perodua might lure more customers as the Proton X50 also misses out on this.

Also read: 2021 Perodua Ativa vs. Proton X50 - Which SUV to buy?

No telescopic adjustments for steering wheel

The Ativa’s steering wheel is only tilt-adjustable, which means there is no telescopic adjustment available here. This may create trouble for taller drivers who also want reach adjustments. They struggle in finding an ideal seating position, and things go more painful on longer journeys.

Interior quality

Just like Perodua's other models, all the trimmings you see inside the Ativa’s cabin are made of hard plastics. Except for the centre armrest, there is no use of soft, plush materials. But, at the given price levels, we cannot really complain about this. 

Summing up

Ignoring these few points, we can conclude that the Perodua Ativa offers an impressive balance of price and features. What do you think of it? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: 2021 Perodua Aruz - First impression