Perodua Bezza - Manual or Automatic

The Perodua Bezza is perhaps one of the most popular and profitable cars in Malaysia. Based on the Global A-Segment Platform from Daihatsu, the Perodua Bezza has been contending happily in the A-segment category since its initial launch in 2016. Over the next three years, the Bezza has set a standard for affordable, efficient and hassle-free motoring.

However, it is not that this Perodua sedan is without competition -- the new Proton Persona makes a good case for itself -- though the Perodua Bezza fights back by undercutting its Persona rival’s price tag. However, then there’s the newly refreshed Proton Saga which not only costs less than the Bezza, but it is also the country’s most famous nameplate. But with that being said, the Perodua Bezza is far from costing an arm and a leg, and is essentially the sedan version of the even more affordable Axia hatchback.

Perodua has since realised that it has got a golden nugget in its hands in the form of the Bezza. For loads of buyers in the country that are scouting for a new car in this segment, the Perodua Bezza is likely on top of the list. However, since there are five different variants with two engine & gearbox options, some of you might have a certain question nagging your thoughts - “Should I buy the manual or the automatic?”

Therefore, we are now going to tell you which one you should put your money on and why. But before we do that, let’s take a look at the Perodua Bezza price for all variants.

Perodua Bezza prices in Malaysia:

Perodua Bezza variants	Price
1.0 GXtra MT	RM 34,490
1.0 GXtra AT	RM 36,290
1.3 Premium X MT	RM 40,090
1.3 Premium X AT	RM 41,890
1.3 Advance	RM 47,790

Irrespective of which variant you decide to go with, the Perodua Bezza comes as standard with a 5-year/150,000-kilometer manufacturer’s warranty. And as you can see in the table above, two variants of the Bezza come equipped with a manual transmission, whilst three are automatics. Also, the Perodua Bezza can be had with one of two engine options. So how do they stack up against each other?

Perodua Bezza engine and transmission specs:

	Perodua Bezza
Engine Options	1.0-litre three-cylinder with DOHC, Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) or 1.3-litre four-cylinder with DOHC and Dual VVT-i
Transmission Options	5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission
Power	67 hp at 6,000 rpm or 95 hp at 6,000 rpm
Torque	91 Nm at 4,400 rpm or 121 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Claimed Fuel Economy	21 kmpl to 22.8 kmpl

The most practical choice

In case, for whatever reason, you don’t want to go for the Proton Saga and are contemplating which variant of the Perodua Bezza you should buy, then we have an answer for. Take out that chequebook and sign on an amount of RM 47,790, and drive away in the range-topping 1.3 Advance trim of the Bezza with the automatic transmission.

With the top automatic variant of the Perodua Bezza, you will not only get as many features and safety equipment as possible, but you will also find it slightly to be better-looking than the lower trims. Apart from all that, the driving around will be a lot more relaxing and hassle-free thanks to the 4-speed automatic gearbox that’s a standard fitment on the Advance trim.

However, what about those aforementioned features and equipment? Do you get your money’s worth with the Perodua Bezza 1.3 Advance? As standard, the Perodua Bezza specs sheet include:

•         14-inch alloy wheels
•         Front fog lamps
•         Sporty side skirts
•         Power-operated door mirrors with integrated turn signals
•         Keyless entry with push-button start
•         Leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel
•         Semi-bucket leather seats
•         Height-adjustable driver’s seat
•         Four-speaker audio system with USB and Bluetooth connectivity
•         Touchscreen multimedia head unit with ‘Smart Link’ feature for Android phones

Moving on to the Bezza’s safety systems, the range-topping Advance variant brings along the following nannies:

•         Dual front airbags
•         Front & rear parking sensors
•         Rearview camera
•         Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
•         Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
•         Traction Control (TRC)
•         ISOFIX rear seat anchor points
•         Anti-snatch hook

Mind you, only the top Advance variant of the Perodua Bezza automatic comes with a satisfactory 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating, thanks to the inclusion of stability control. In terms of its performance, the Bezza Advance 1.3, as the name suggests, is powered by a Toyota-sourced 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine.

The 1NR-VE unit in the Bezza produces 94 hp and 121 Nm of peak torque, and spins its front wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission. To enhance its fuel economy, Perodua has fitted the Bezza with their so-called 'Eco Idle' system. So despite its old-school 4-speed gearbox, the Bezza automatic still manages to achieve an incredible 22 kmpl on a combined driving cycle. Obviously, one may not actually ever see that kind of a number in the real world, but it is an impressive technical feat, nonetheless.

Unlike the Bezza automatic with the tiny 1.0-litre three-pot engine, the larger mill in the Advance variant provides enough oomph to let you keep up with other cars out on the open road. However, don’t expect the Bezza to shoot into the horizon every time you prod the throttle. In spite of weighing just north of 900 kilograms, the modest power output couple with a rather unenthusiastic automatic gearbox, means that progress is never going to be rapid.

Final words

There are several reasons why the Perodua Bezza remains one of the best picks in its segment, even though rivals such as the Proton Saga claim the same. The Bezza’s relatively low price may be a good starting point, but that alone isn’t the key to its success. And should you go ahead and part ways with nearly 48,000 ringgit, rest assured that the Perodua Bezza automatic will remain a good partner for years to come.

Also read: 2019 Proton Saga - Top alternative