Perodua Myvi – Hits & misses

With well over a million units sold till date, the Perodua Myvi is unequivocally one of the biggest success stories of the Malaysian automobile industry. Its first generation went on sale nearly 15 years ago, while the most recent third-generation Myvi, hit our market in late 2017. Compared to its predecessors, this all-new model of the Myvi is almost entirely made in-house. And even though the 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre four-cylinder engines are still borrowed from Toyota, the Malaysian marque has worked on them further to ensure even better fuel efficiency and emission standards. Essentially, this all-new take on the nation’s premium hatchback builds on a reputation set by its previous-gen models. Having said that, there are some areas where the 2019 Perodua Myvi scores really well, and in some, completely misses the mark, altogether.

Perodua Myvi Hits

Space

The 2019 Perodua Myvi specs sheet displays following dimension figures - 3,895 mm in length, 1,735 mm in width, 1,515 mm in height, and its wheelbase stretch at 2,500 mm. When stacked next to the older car, it becomes apparent that the new Myvi has grown in length, width, and wheelbase by 205 mm, 70 mm, and 60 mm, respectively. The car now also sits lower by 30 mm, and thanks to its sleeker exterior design, Perodua engineers have managed to make the Myvi more ‘slippery’ by reducing its overall aerodynamic drag coefficient.

More importantly, however, the increase in external dimensions has lead to a roomier interior with a more than adequate amount of space for all occupants. The wider body equates to more shoulder room, especially at the rear, while the stretched wheelbase and length open up more space for your knees and legs. And even though the roofline is now more streamlined than before, headroom hasn’t taken a big hit. As for the new Myvi’s boot, its capacity has now shot up to 277 litres – that’s an increase of almost 70 litres.

Features

Perodua realised with the new Myvi that just a spacious cabin wouldn’t pass muster. It was clear that Malaysians will no longer buy into a carmaker’s “premium” tag if the features list was just plain ol’ vanilla. Thankfully, that’s surely not the case with updated Myvi. Some of the features found in the Perodua Myvi’s comprehensive equipment catalogue includes stuff like automatic LED headlights, smart keyless-entry with push-button start, 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels, automatic climate control with first-in-class dual memory settings, power-folding door mirrors, stitched effect on the leather seats, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, an integrated toll reader, and a touchscreen multimedia head unit with navigation & Android connectivity.

Safety

If safety is a vital concern for you, as it should be, the 2019 Perodua Myvi has got you covered. The ASEAN NCAP has awarded the new Myvi with a perfect five-star crash-safety rating for a thorough peace of mind. Apart from that, you also get up to six airbags, ABS with EBD and braking assist, vehicle stability and traction control, hill-start assist, and all-round parking sensors with a reversing camera. On top of all these, Perodua has also fitted the Myvi with what they call “Advanced Safety Assist (ASA)”. This adds extra safety nannies such as Pre-Collision Warning (PCW), Pre-Collision Braking (PCB), Front Departure Alert (FDA), and Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC).

Fuel economy

The new Perodua Myvi is now more fuel efficient than ever before, courtesy of smoother aerodynamics and an auto stop-start system for the engines. Perodua’s Eco Idle technology cuts the engine when the car’s stopped to help conserve fuel. This means the 1.3-litre Myvi with the 4-speed automatic now returns 21.1 kmpl, while the 1.5-litre with the same gearbox is capable of achieving an impressive 20.1 kmpl. These are some satisfying numbers, though the real-world fuel consumption will definitely be higher.

Perodua Myvi Misses

Styling

For a premium hatchback that can cost up to RM 54,000, the exterior styling of the new Perodua Myvi isn’t much to write about. It’s safe to say that this new model is undoubtedly more appealing in its overall design than its ungainly-looking forerunner, but that’s about it. While the front looks fair enough and the side profile is just about average, the rear is simply not pleasing or attractive enough, and that’s despite its rear spoiler, large partial-LED taillights, and supposedly sporty bumper design.

Steering feel

Though it’s not ultra-important, the Perodua Myvi’s steering wheel isn’t the most communicative in the business, and it also lacks ‘feel’. And while it rides fairly well and is compliant enough, the new Myvi is no sharp handler or a driver’s wishful choice. But overall, the new Perodua Myvi represents a great value-for-money all-rounder, plus it’s a safe, spacious, feature-packed and practical family hatchback.