Perodua Bezza

Like the exterior, even the interior of the Perodua Bezza feels a bit too long in the tooth, with it getting minimal design tweaks in all these years of its existence. The sedan comes with standard seats in the G MT and G AT variants, while the X AT and AV AT variants have bucket seats in their place. Also, while the G and X variants have black fabric upholstery, the AV AT variant has leather upholstery. 

All the variants of Perodua Bezza have a conventional-looking instrument console with analogue gauges and an LCD MID in between them and a white illumination theme. The all-black cabin of the Bezza has nice contrasting elements like a silver finish on the steering wheel and centre console, silver armrests, and chrome inside door handles. 

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Cabin feels spacious for its size

Con: Overall layout looks too simple and lacks character

Features and Technology

Being a budget-oriented sedan, the Perodua Bezza has limited comfort and convenience features on offer. This compact sedan has a 2-DIN audio system with USB and Bluetooth support in the G MT, G AT and X AT variants. The range-topping AV AT variant has a touchscreen infotainment system with a Smart Link phone connectivity suite. 

The G MT and G AT variants come equipped with two speakers for the audio system, auto headlamps, an LCD MID in the instrument console, and all four power windows. The X AT variant further gets additional features over the G variants, like two more speakers for the audio system, an engine push start-stop button, a USB charging port at the rea,r and driver seat height adjustment.

The additional features offered in the AV AT variant over the X AT are an idle-stop indicator in the MID and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Decent equipment levels in the AV AT variant

Con: Lack of features in G MT, G AT, and X AT variants

Boot Space and Storage

Despite its compact size, the Perodua Bezza has a large and very usable 508 litres of boot space, which is more than even some of the sedans from one and even two segments above. Besides this large boot compartment, the Bezza also gets a decently sized glovebox at the front. However, we would have loved to see more cupholders in the Bezza. All the variants of the Bezza also get seat back pockets, a multi-purpose compartment, and an under-luggage compartment.

Pros and cons:

Pro: Massive boot space

Con: Cup holders are less 

The updated Perodua Bezza is a completely transformed sedan as far as its looks go when compared to its predecessors. The new slim LED headlamps with the chrome grille on both bigger engine variants are very big changes. The car also gets a chrome back door garnish and wing-mirror mounted indicators on all variants. The Shark Fin Antenna adds a unique touch.  

The car features sportier lines throughout, with a slightly larger rear bumper. Buyers also have the optional GearUp package available to enhance the car's appearance further. The car measures 4170 mm x 1620 mm x 1525 mm (l x w x h) with a wheelbase of 2455 mm. Apart from the G variant, all others also get halogen headlamps and 15-inch alloy wheels. The G variant gets smaller 14-inch alloys. 

All variants get standard reverse parking sensors, with the 1.3-litre models also getting the front corner parking sensors and top-spec 1.3 AV getting an additional reverse camera. The car is available in six different colour options, four of which are Ebony Black, Lava Red, Solid Ivory White, and Glittering Silver. The two other colours are Ocean Blue and Sugar Brown, available only with the 1.3-litre variants. 

Perodua claims different fuel efficiency figures for all four variants of the Bezza sedan. The G MT variant with the combination of the 1.0-litre engine and 5-speed manual transmission delivers 22.8 kmpl, while the same engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission claims 21.3 kmpl in the G AT variant.

The X AT and AV AT variants get the same engine and transmission combination – a 1.3-litre petrol engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission. However, both have different fuel efficiency claims too – 21.0 kmpl claims by X AT and 22.0 kmpl claimed by AV AT.

Pros and cons:

Pro: Impressive fuel efficiency claims by both engine options

Con: Nothing much actually

The overall mechanical setup of the Perodua Bezza is pretty basic, with the sedan getting conventional Macpherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. While the G MT and G AT variants get 14-inch alloy wheels with 175/65 R14 tyres, the X AT and AV AT variants have 15-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 175/60 R15 tyres.

The not-so-long wheelbase of 2455mm and a light steering setup help the Perodua Bezza to have a small turning radius of 4.5 metres for G variants and 5.0 metres for X and AV variants, which are lesser than even some of the similar-sized hatchbacks. That being said, the Bezza is not a driving enthusiast’s car, with the steering lacking in desired weight at higher speeds.

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Small turning radius

Con: Could have had better handling at higher speeds

Perodua offers the Bezza with two engine options. The lower-spec G MT and GAT variants are powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which is capable of producing 68 PS of maximum power output and 91 Nm of maximum torque output. This engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission in the G MT variant and a 4-speed automatic transmission in the G AT variant. 

On the other hand, the X AT and AV AT variants come with a larger and more powerful 1.3-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which is available with a 4-speed automatic transmission as standard in both the variants. This engine produces 95 PS of maximum power and 121 Nm of maximum torque outputs. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Decent performance from the 1.3-litre engine

Con: 1.0-litre engine feels underpowered

The Perodua Bezza does get all the basic safety essentials people expect from a modern-day car. The standard safety features offered in all four variants of Perodua Bezza are dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, central locking and ISOFIX mounts for child seats.

The additional safety features offered in the X AT variant are vehicle stability control, traction control, brake assist and front parking sensors. The AV AT variant further comes equipped with Advanced Safety Assist 2.0, which includes features like pre-collision warning, pre-collision braking, front departure alert and pedal misoperation control. However, this list feels limited, and we do wish that the Bezza gets more ADAS features. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Standard dual airbags and ASB with EBD across all variants

Con: Limited ADAS features

Competitor Comparison

The direct rival of Perodua Bezza is Proton Persona, which is also a similarly-sized compact sedan with a basic visual appeal, fuel-efficient engines, and high practicality. However, one has the option to stretch a bit more and get more premium offerings like Honda City, Proton S70, Toyota Vios and Nissan Almera. 

Conclusion and Final Verdict

The overall equipment levels and design of the Perodua Bezza inside-out feel very basic and a bit outdated. However, after factoring in the asking prices of all the variants of the Bezza, the sedan comes across as a value-for-money proposition with a lot of practicality. The Bezza has fuel-efficient engines, good cabin and boot space and plush ride quality, which are the most sought-after aspects of first-time car buyers, who can prefer the Bezza at the price of an entry-level hatchback.