Proton Ertiga: Know its alternatives

Proton is widely popular for its value for money products that it has to offer in Malaysia. From hatchbacks to sedans, and now even an SUV (Proton X70), Proton is there to take care of all your needs. Proton Ertiga price starts at RM 56,773 and rises till RM 62,278. It is one of the best and most affordable MPVs that you can buy in the country right now. There are three variants of the Ertiga - Executive MT, Executive AT, and Premium AT - and all of them are powered by the same 1,373 cc 4-cylinder engine that churns out 91 hp at 6000 rpm and 130 Nm at 4000 rpm. There are two transmission options - a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic.

 

Proton Ertiga specs have got many features that make it a good buy like 12V and USB chargers, a good number of bottle and cup holders, clever storage spaces, great seating space with comfortable, and supportive seats, etc. Even though the Ertiga is a brilliant product, there are a few alternatives that one can consider when looking for such an MPV.

Perodua Alza

Just like Proton, Perodua is also a Malaysian car manufacturer and thus is well aware of the needs of the countrymen. To give a good fight to the Ertiga, Perodua has got its Alza. The Perodua Alza is a 7-seater vehicle which is powered by a 1,495 cc 4-cylinder engine that produces 104 PS at 6000 rpm and generates 136 Nm at 4400 rpm. The mill comes mated to either an automatic or manual transmission.

The latest model of Perodua Alza comes with a sporty front and rear bumper and sporty side skirts, there is also a bit of sporty garnish at the rear. The clear lens tail lamps are quite attractive and so are the 15-inch alloy wheels. However, these features are not standard across all the four variants - 1.5 S MT, 1.5 S AT, 1.5 SE AT, and 1.5 AV AT. But you do get 5 different colors to pick - Electric Blue, Glittering Silver, Ivory White, Granite Grey, and Mystical Purple - irrespective of the variant.

The interior of the Alza has features like manual seat height adjustability of driver’s seat, many storage spaces, tool compartment, foot parking brake, a large multimedia system with navigation, and smart link for Android smartphones connectivity. There is also a reverse camera with parking guidelines. And for the entertainment of the rear passengers, Perodua has also provided a roof-mounted monitor. All this comes at a price, and the Perodua Alza price starts at RM 51,490 for the base model and goes all the way up to RM 62,690 for the top-end variant.

Proton Exora

Yes, that’s right. Proton is even facing competition from its own products. The Exora is one such example. It is another brilliant product that is quite popular and stands up against Proton’s own Ertiga. Of course, there are some differences between the two.

Proton Exora specs have got a more powerful engine; a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 138 hp at 5000 revs and 205 Nm at 4000 revs. Both the power and torque figures are higher than that of the Ertiga. What is missing here is a manual transmission. The Exora gets only a CVT in both of its variants - 1.6L EXECUTIVE and 1.6L EXECUTIVE PLUS. In the looks department, the Exora has got its own style and charm. We leave this to you to decide which one’s the better.

The interior of the Exora is, as expected, very spacious. Proton has cleverly used the space to provide a good number of storage areas; there are 10 cup and bottle holders, just saying. There is a 9-inch LCD monitor mounted overhead to take care of the entertainment needs of the passengers. The Proton Exora price starts at RM 62,008, which is almost the same as that of the top-end model of the Proton Ertiga.

Toyota Avanza

If you can extend your budget a little bit then you can also look at the Toyota Avanza. It is also a 7-seater and comes with Toyota’s trust and reliability. Unlike the other cars mentioned in this story, the Avanza has got a more noticeable road presence. It looks more muscular and large in dimensions. Under the hood is a 1.5-litre 4-pot engine that produces 105 PS and 136 Nm and comes mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

Interior space won’t be a problem in the Avanza. The fit and finish are one of the best in this segment. It also comes with safety features like ABS, EBD, dual airbags, ISOFIX mounts, reverse sensor, etc. The Toyota Avanza price starts at 73,800 and ends at RM 86,000.

And that's a wrap. Stay tuned for more such stories.