window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/22557728108/my_article_breadcrumb_above_pc', [ 728, 90 ], 'div-gpt-ad-1685524554756-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1685524554756-0'); });

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10

Arif · May 13, 2021 02:48 PM

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 01

With the third round of MCO announced, we’ll have to postpone our plans for a long-distance drive with our Perodua Ativa. Almost everyone in the WapCar team has driven Cik Tiva, and she has served us well up to this point.

As much as we acknowledge the Ativa to be Perodua’s best car to date, there are still some things about it that we do not like and could use some improvement. What are they? Well, we've got them all listed here for you.

1. It’s not that fuel efficient

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 02

So, we’ve driven the Ativa for more than 4,000 kilometres now, and we find the 1.0-litre turbocharged engine to be not as fuel efficient as claimed to be.

window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/22557728108/my_article_fourthp_under_pc', [ 728, 90 ], 'div-gpt-ad-1685525140735-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1685525140735-0'); });

The EEV sticker has "5.3 litre/100km" printed on it, but we are yet to even get near that figure with our Ativa.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 01

The first of many refuels.

So far, we have only managed to obtain 7.5 litre/100 km on average. And in the most conservative driving conditions, we've managed to get 6.76 litre/100km. 

Unfortunately the Ativa doesn't manage to match our tested fuel consumption of the also 1.0-litre-turbo engine Nissan Almera (5.8 litre/100km).

Based on our fuel consumption test, the Ativa even loses out to larger-capacity non-turbocharged cars like the Honda City (6.3 litre/100 km) and Toyota Vios (6.5 litre/100 km).

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 02

5.3 litre/100km on the EEV sticker

We don’t know what sort of testing standard was used to obtain the 5.3 litre/100km figure.

Even when driving, you can already tell that Ativa burns more fuel. At highway speeds (about 110-130 km/h), the Ativa’s 1.0-litre engine revs near the 3,000 rpm mark. 

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 03

The Ativa has a punchy engine paired with a good transmission, but if fuel efficiency is your top priority, it might disappoint you.

2. There’s no telescopic steering adjustment

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 04

Having telescopic steering adjustment is great for achieving your ideal driving position. Unfortunately, the Ativa lacks this feature.

Thus it requires you to adjust the back rest forward so that your arms could reach the steering wheel properly.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 05

Photo of Press Car. Note the lack the two-tone paint job.

As such, some of us with long legs but short arms struggle to obtain a perfect seating position. And even when we do, we find ourselves in an upright but awkward position.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 06

The Proton X50 comes with tilt and telescopic steering adjustment.

Forgive us as we’re a bit spoiled with the presence of telescopic steering adjustment in the Proton X50 and Honda City. Joining the Ativa in terms of the lack of this feature are the Toyota Vios and Proton Persona.

3. The suspension is not confidence inspiring, and feels almost isolated

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 07

If you’ve read our earlier articles, you would know that we had praised the Ativa’s suspension. It was very impressive during our initial review with the press car and continued to impress us during our first few weeks of ownership.

However, the good impression only lasts for as long as you drive the Ativa in urban areas. On wavy roads, the Ativa feels like it is about to launch you into the air. You have to drive really gently so the Ativa can keep up with the undulations.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 08

Image is not of a road in Malaysia, but the Ativa doesn't handle these undulations very well. Photo

The rebound is slow and while the “floating” feel can be great during slow cruises, it does scare you a little bit if you need to speed up on "adventerous" surfaces.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 09

We’re still not discrediting the fact that this is most comfortable Perodua to date. It just could be a little bit more firm to balance things out.

4. No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 10

Good mobile connectivity should be available in top-variant entry level cars in 2021. The floating screen is already a good touch in the Ativa. It just needs Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity to keep it on par with its rivals.

5. The tonneau cover makes it a bit harder to access the boot

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 11

The Perodua Ativa’s tonneau cover is space-efficient and on first impression, I found it to be quite clever. It takes up little space both when in use and when not in use.

However, having used the car for a while now, it actually can be a little bit cumbersome.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 12

Hatchback parcel shelves allow for easy access to the boot since they lift with the tailgate.

Why?

Well, it does not lift with tailgate like the parcel shelf of a hatchback, and it is not easily retractable like the ones you find in bigger SUVs.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 13

Although bulky, retractable tonneau covers allow for quick access should you need to arrange items in the boot.

Let’s say you want to arrange some items in the boot, the tonneau cover needs to be removed first to allow for easy access. Removing the tonneau cover is easy. Folding it needs some practice.

If not removed, the boot opening becomes small, requiring you to contort your body to arrange items in your boot.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 14

You could say we’re nit-picking here, but that’s our experience with it so far. The tonneau cover is great for saving space, but it's not the most convenient design out there.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 15

The Ativa's tonneau cover saves space, but that's where its benefits end.

Conclusion

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 16

So, those our pretty much our gripes with our very own Perodua Ativa. I was going to include the rattling sound from the rear right drum brake too, but we're still giving Perodua a chance to fix that issue.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 17

Other than the things we have listed, most things are tolerable in the Ativa. We still hold it as the best Perodua car ever made so far.

The recently-announced third round of MCO may delay some of our plans with the Ativa, but we still have other MCO-friendly activities lined up for it.

Stay tuned for more updates on WapCar’s Cik Tiva.

Our average fuel consumption so far:

Perodua Ativa FC meter reading
Odometer reading at refuel Onboard FC Reading
20 km - -
421 km 13 km/l 7.69 l/100 km
740 km 12 km/l 8.33 l/100 km
1,032 km 14.8 km/l 6.76 l/100 km
1,453 km 13.2 km/l 7.57 l/100 km
1,750 km 11.9 km/l 8.40 l/100 km
1,976 km 12.5 km/l 8.00 l/100 km
2,200 km 12.6 km/l 7.94 l/100 km
2,577 km 12.8 km/l 7.81 l/100 km
2,826 km 9.6 km/l 10.41 l/100 km
3,217 km 14.1 km/l 7.09 l/100 km
3,490 km 13.1 km/l 7.63 l/100 km
3,873 km 13.4 km/l 7.46 l/100km
4,191 km 12.2 km/l 8.19 l/100 km
4,592 km 12.7 km/l 7.87 l/100 km
4,956 km 12.3 km/l 8.13 l/100 km

More stories on our long-term review here.

5 things the Perodua Ativa needs to improve on – Long term review #10 18

Also Read: 

Video: Which car vibrates more? Nissan Almera or Perodua Ativa? – Long Term review #9

Video: Our Ativa’s rattling is back and we’re not happy about it – Long term review #8

6 little things we like about our Ativa – long term review #7

Our Ativa’s rattling sound is fixed! What was the problem? - Long-term review #6

Costs RM 64, our Ativa goes for its 1k km inspection - Long-term Review #5

First week with the Perodua Ativa - Something is rattling

How long did we wait for our Perodua Ativa? And how much did we pay for it?

How to run in your brand-new car? Here is what we’re doing with our new Ativa

We’ve bought a Perodua Ativa for a long-term review and tear down!

Launched in Malaysia, the 2021 Perodua Ativa: Priced from RM 62k, 1.0L Turbo, 98 PS/140 Nm

Quick review: 2021 Perodua D55L – The best Perodua to date?

​​​​​​No Toyota Direct Shift CVT for the Perodua D55L, why?

The 2021 Perodua Ativa's standard safety kit is better than the Proton X50

Perodua Ativa (D55L) – Is it an A-segment or a B-segment car? Same as Proton X50?

These Gear Up accessories on the 2021 Perodua Ativa activate its fierce side

2021 Perodua Ativa (D55L) vs Proton X50 – Do you need a bigger car?

2021 Perodua Ativa vs Nissan Almera – which 1.0L turbo is better?

2021 Perodua Ativa gets a different tailgate from Japan's Rocky/Raize, why?

The 2021 Perodua Ativa is more Malaysian than the Proton X50?

Arif

Writer

Previously an engineer in an automotive manufacturing company and a highway concessionaire. A part-time research student on biofuels and diesel engines. Obsessed with vehicle electrification and the future of transportation.

window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/22557728108/my_article_relatedmodel_above_pc', [ 728, 90 ], 'div-gpt-ad-1685525247138-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1685525247138-0'); });
window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-a-2x2-stream', container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' });

Trending Discussion

Hassle-free purchasing, get your next car fast!

2021 Perodua Ativa 1.0L Turbo X

Upgrade

Add your car

Not trading-in?   Sell your car