Perodua Ativa

Ativa Overview

Perodua Ativa can be easily claimed as one of the most awaited launches of 2021. Not only it gained immense attention and traction before its arrival, but its popularity opened new possibilities for the automaker, as Perodua has taken several first attempts with the Ativa. Said to be based on Daihatsu Rocky, the two cars were always meant to be shared models, with Perodua involved in the development process. The company’s CEO Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad even revealed that over 50 Perodua staff is currently living & working at Daihatsu, Japan, all of them are involved in either the engineering or design department. In short, there is Perodua input in the Ativa and even in Rocky.

The Perodua Ativa is offered in three trim options - base X, mid-spec H, and range-topping AV.  All the Ativa variants are powered by a 1.0-litre DOHC three-cylinder 1KR-VET turbocharged engine that is made by Perodua Engine Manufacturing. The said mill makes a maximum power of 98 PS at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 140 Nm from 2,400 to 4,000 rpm. All the trims are front-wheel drive and get the same CVT system. The cabin looks and feels premium, and as one could imagine Perodua has used premium materials, finish, and given the car top-class build quality. Safety is given top-most priority and therefore Perodua has blessed the Ativa with an excellent pack of crucial safety and security features. With so much to gain and nothing to lose, the Perodua Ativa SUV competes against the likes of Proton X50,  Subaru XV, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-3, and Toyota CH-R. The Ativa SUV price range reads  RM 61,500 for the base X variant, RM 66,100 for the mid-sec H, and goes up to RM 71,200 for the top AV trim.

Perodua Ativa Interior & Features

Open the gates of the Ativa and you’d see a modern, comforting cabin. The SUVs build quality, material, and features that are truly impressive and will transport you into a different world. One of the major highlights here is the inclusion of the massive 9.0-inch infotainment touch display. Its interface is very much like that of the Myvi. Though it does not come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, one can connect Android smartphones with the system via SmartLink phone mirroring system. What’s the use? Well, the driver can send voice commands to the phone (via Google Voice), by pressing the voice button on the steering. Furthermore. The display comes with auto sound leveling and a reverse camera. The entry-level trim, however, gets a non-touchscreen radio with Bluetooth and USB. The base and mid-spec models get four speakers, while the AV comes with two additional tweeters, so a total of six units.

The Ativa is the first model in the Perodua model and also in the price range to come with a digital instrument panel. The 7.0-inch TFT screen sits on the left of the digital speedometer and combines a trip computer and rev counter. It offers four design choices, the default one being the velodrome-shaped tachometer. The Power button will introduce more red elements in the design, irrespective of the theme picked. 

The entry-level trim gets two USB ports at the front, the other two come with a total of four ports, two at the front and two at the back.

Open the tailgate and you'll get a 303-litre of luggage space, it becomes 369-litre taking its maximum height and capacity. For more space, there is the 60:40 split rear seat. Also, the Ativa comes with a space-saver spare tyre with a matching wheel that sits below the boot floor. The tyre jack is placed under the front passenger seat. 

Ativa Exterior

As mentioned earlier, the all-new Perodua Ativa is in a way a rebadged version of the Rocky and that’s the reason the two resemble to some extent. The Perodua design team has done a commendable job be it the car’s built quality or finish. Also, the incorporation of Malaysian details gives it a familiar touch. Besides, the car shares certain design elements with the Myvi as well, especially at the rear. In totality, the Ativa features a bold, sporty design that is hard to miss. 

Upfront, the Ativa gets a wide grille setup that includes multiple rows, a few chrome outlining, and a company moniker sitting in the centre. It blends seamlessly with the LED headlamps with a follow-me-home function. Except for the base X trim, the rest benefited from the sequential side turn signal and auto-leveling function. The same is the case with LED fog lamps, H and AV trims get it, and that too with a stylish, inverted-L casing.

The side profile of Ativa looks very humble like we see in most of the cars in its segment. It has clean creases, prominent wheel arches, and chrome door handles with an electrostatic sensor (AV trim only).

At the rear, the Ativa gets wraparound LED taillights with triple light guides. The two lighting units are joined by a broad black-chrome strip with Perodua's logo in the middle. Giving it an SUV-like look and feel is the edgy two-tone roof spoiler. 

The SUVs entry-level X trim rolls on 16-inch wrapped in 205/65 R16-95H tyres, while the H and AV model gain 17-inch wheels with 205/60 R17-94H rubbers around.

The Ativa SUV looks even more enticing with the colours options Perodua has picked for it. The X and H trim is available in three hues - Cobalt Blue, Glittering Silver, and Granite Grey. Also, the mid-spec variant is offered two additional tones - Pearl Diamond White and Pearl Delima Red. These special pearl metallic hues come at a premium price of RM 5000. Coming to AV trim, it is offered in Granite Grey, Pearl Delima Red, Pearl Diamond White, and Glittering Silver. In addition, RM 300 two-tone options with pearl hues are also on offer.

On the dimension front, the Ativa is considerably bigger than the Rockey. It measures 4,065 mm in length, 1,710 mm in width, and 1,635 mm in height. The wheelbase and ground clearance measures 2,525 mm and 200 mm, respectively.

Perodua Ativa Ride & Handling

The Ativa is built on the DNGA platform that made its debut in Japan in 2019 only. It assures a smooth and comfortable drive along with being up to date in performance, rigidity, NVH, and safety aspects. On the suspension front, the SUV features a MacPherson strut at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. The stopping duty is taken care of by Ventilated discs at the front and drums at the rear.

Ativa Engine & Fuel Consumption

Powering the Perodua Ativa is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder DOHC VVT turbocharged mill that is developed by Perodua Engine Manufacturing in Rawang. The said mill develops a maximum power of 98 PS at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 140 Nm from 2,400 to 4,000 rpm. In ECE mode, the average mileage is 18.9 kmpl. 

Coming to transmission, it is for the first time Perodua is using the CVT unit, which is the world’s first split gear CVT system. Called the D-CVT for Dual-Mode CVT, it combines belt drive with gear drive which leads to enhanced acceleration, efficiency, and quietness. 

Perodua Ativa Braking & Safety

To keep occupants safe, Perodua has incorporated the Ativa with several standard safety features like - 6 airbags, stability control, ABS with EBD and brake assist, autonomous emergency braking with cyclist & pedestrian detection, rear parking sensor, lane departure warning & protection, front departure alert, pedal misoperation control, front & rear belt reminder, rear ISOFIX child sensor. Further, Ativa has achieved five star ASEAN NCAP safety rating. The above list of mid-spec H trim adds a front parking sensor and reverse camera.

The range-topping Flagship model, on the other hand, gets few additional safety techs. For instance, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane centring assist.

The key highlight here is the inclusion of a new and improved version of Advanced Safety Assist (ASA). So, after the original ASA that made its debut in 2017, and ASA 2.0 in 2019, we now have ASA 3.0. The suite includes Pedal-collision Warning, Pedal Misoperation Control, Pre-collision Braking, and Front Departure Alert. 

Ativa Verdict

The Ativa is the latest offering of Perodua's B-segment compact SUV segment. It not only showcases an appalling, sporty design but also packs several segment-leading and first-in-class features.