Perodua Alza

The interior layout of the 2022 Perodua Alza has been completely revamped as compared to the previous-gen model, which it has replaced. It looks much more premium place to be in, compared to the cabin of the previous version. When you compare it with the cabin of the other compact MPVs on sale, the Perodua Alza doesn’t feel like a compromise even after being a low-priced offering. However, when you compare it with the cabin of its badge-engineered cousin, the Toyota Veloz, there are evident signs of cost-cutting. Though, the dual-tone black and copper brown combination for the interior is something different and makes the cabin of the Alza feel nice to look at. 

Seats and upholstery

In the 1.5L AV variant, the Perodua Alza offers two-tone semi-leatherette seats, which stay true to its MPV aspirations, and offer a host of seating configurations to choose from. The options available are seven-passenger mode, five-passenger mode with the third row of seats folded, two-passenger mode with second and third rows of seats folded, Rest mode with the only second row of seats folded, and Flexi mode with all the seats, except driver’s seat, folded in various combinations. The other two variants come with fabric upholstery with a monotone finish.  

Comfort and convenience

Compared to the previous-gen model, the new Perodua Alza feels much more upmarket with a range of new comfort and convenience features on offer. The top-spec 1.5L AV variant gets a 7-inch full-TFT instrument console, push start-stop button, and AC vents for all three rows with chrome finish around them. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is a new unit and comes with audio, multi-display, and multiple drive modes buttons on it. The mid-spec 1.5L H variant also gets the TFT instrument console and push start-stop button, while the base-spec 1.5L X variant misses out on them.

Entertainment, information, and communication

The 1.5L AV and 1.5L H variants of the Perodua Alza come with a centrally-placed free-standing 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which supports an audio system with six speakers. The base 1.5L X variant gets a standard 2-DIN audio system with four speakers on offer. All the variants here come with a 12V power socket and two USB sockets at the rear. Though, the 1.5L AV and 1.5L H variants also get an additional 12V power socket at the front and an additional USB charging socket at the front.

Storage

The Perodua Alza feels practical with generous amounts of storage spaces on offer. It gets a front console box with a glossy black, chrome bezel and silver finish and a rear console box with a soft pad armrest. Apart from these, it also gets bottle holders and map pockets for all four doors, a closed glovebox on the co-passenger side, and an open scooped cavity below the driver-side AC vent. The Alza offers a boot space of 137 litres with the third row of seats up and 498 litres of boot space with the third row of seats down. 

While the previous-generation Perodua Alza was starting to feel too long in the tooth with its drab design, Perodua has uplifted its game by changing the design of the MPV entirely. There is not a single panel or bit which has been shared with the previous-gen model, which makes it a completely changed vehicle with substantial transformation. As said before, it is based on the Toyota Veloz, with which it shares much of its design. Though, the front and rear profiles in the Alza have received significant revisions, thus giving the Alza its own identity.

At the front, the Perodua Alza has a wide-looking front fascia, comprising of a trapezoidal grille with L-shaped small inserts finished in gloss black. This grille gets twin slabs – a chrome slat extending towards the inner edges of the headlamps and a gloss black slat placed just above it, with the Perodua logo placed in between these slats. The all-LED headlamps have a flashy appeal and are assisted with sleek daytime running LEDs, which double up as sequential LED turn indicators. The front bumper here looks stylish with a black-coloured skid plate in the middle and blacked-out T-shaped housings for the LED fog lamps. 

Move towards the side profile, and the Perodua Alza impresses with its sharp character lines flowing sideways. The most noticeable line is the one flowing from the edge of the headlamp to the edge of the tail lamp, which makes the Alza look even longer than it is. There are a few elements of the side profile, which add a dash of style and premium-ness to the Alza, which include 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, chrome garnish on the window waistline, and gloss black finish for the outside rearview mirrors.

At the rear, the Perodua Alza looks sharp and premium with sleek-looking and horizontally-stretched trapezoidal tail lamps with LED inserts, which have a small gloss black slab running in between the tail lamps. This slab comes with a thin strip of chrome at its bottom. The blacked fins on the sides of the rear windscreen, a shark fin antenna, and a roof-mounted spoiler make the rear profile of the Alza look aerodynamic.

The Perodua Alza measures 4425mm long, 1730mm wide, and 1670mm tall, with its wheelbase measuring 2750mm and ground clearance measuring 160mm. While the maximum kerb weight of the Alza is 1170mm, the minimum turning radius of the MPV is 5 metres.

Sharing its platform with the Toyota Veloz, the Perodua Alza gets a suspension combination of Macpherson struts at the front and torsion beam at the rear, along with a braking combination of front ventilated discs and rear disc brakes. As expected, the Alza offers a comfortable ride quality for a vehicle of its size and segment, though the feedback from the steering is not as precise as one would have wanted. There are three drive modes to choose from in the Perodua Alza, which are selectable from the steering wheel – eco, normal, and sport. 

The Perodua Alza is powered by the same 2NR-VE series 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which powers its two cousins with different badges, the Daihatsu Xenia and Toyota Veloz. Powering other Toyota cars like Yaris, Vios, Rush, Raize, and Avanza, this engine is one of the most tried-and-tested powertrains coming from the house of the Japanese carmaker. 

In the Perodua Alza, this engine is available with a CVT as the standard transmission across the entire three-variant lineup. Like in other vehicles which come with it under their hood, this engine claims 106 PS of maximum power and 138 Nm of maximum torque in the Perodua Alza as well. While it is not the best-in-segment in terms of outright power and torque outputs, it offers appreciable levels of refinement and easy and predictable power delivery. The Perodua Alza claims a fuel economy of 14-15.5 kmpl in the usual driving cycle.

Perodua has leveled up the game of offering safety features with the Alza, as it retains the complete list of advanced safety features from the Toyota Veloz. The Alza is now one of the most affordable vehicles in Malaysia to offer the package of autonomous driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Perodua Smart Drive Assist package. This package includes features like a pre-collision warning, pre-collision braking, pedal misoperation control, front departure alert, electronic parking brake with auto hold, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, adaptive cruise control, lane keep control, blind spot monitoring system, 360-degree parking camera, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, auto high beam and adaptive high beam.

The other safety features in the Perodua Alza are six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill start assist, ISOFIX mounts for child seats, and a digital video recorder. 

Warranty

Perodua is offering a commendable warranty of 5 years or 150,000 km (whichever comes earlier) on the Alza, which is easily one of the best warranty schemes available in the compact MPV segment. 

Perodua Alza vs the competition

The 2022 Perodua Alza competes with the following three other new-age seven-seater MPVs in the Malaysian car market:

Mitsubishi Xpander – The Xpander for Mitsubishi was a make-it-or-break-it product, an attempt in which it succeeded with its edgy and modern design, a practical and well-laid cabin, and a host of features that make it a vehicle that is easy to live with. The Xpander is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which produces 105 PS of maximum power and 141 Nm of maximum torque.

Honda BR-V – Compared to the Alza, the Honda BR-V is quite old in the market, but this budget MPV from Honda appeals with its modern design with sharp lines and that added essence of an off-roader with bits like roof rails and body cladding. With a versatile and spacious cabin on offer, the Honda BR-V also has the segment-best 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which produces class-leading figures of 120 PS of power and 145 Nm of torque.

Toyota Veloz – Last but not least, it is the badge-engineered version of the Perodua Alza, the Toyota Veloz. If you compare both the vehicles head-on, you will feel that the Toyota Veloz looks and feels a bit more upmarket than the Alza, with a few more features like full leather upholstery and an advanced infotainment system with telematics system on offer. It gets the same engine and mechanical setup as the Alza, so there are not many differences on that front. 

 Final words

With the all-new Alza, Perodua has affirmed its presence in the ever-popular compact MPV segment. While it is not an all self-developed product from Perodua, as it is a badge-engineered version of the Toyota Alza, it has a sense of individuality with slightly redesigned front and rear designs. It offers a reliable and proven engine, a spacious cabin, and an extensive list of features that are much longer than what its predecessor offered during its existence.