Take a look at the current crop of B-segment hatchbacks like the Proton Iriz, Honda Jazz, and Toyota Yaris. All of them feature a continuously variable transmission, or CVT in short.
The odd one out is also the best-selling model - the Perodua Myvi is the only B-segment hatchback with a 4-speed torque converter automatic.
You can say that the Perodua Myvi’s transmission as being outdated, having being around since the Myvi's inception in 2005 and you’d be correct, but does it really matter to the average buyer?
Also Read: Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal
Just by looking at the Perodua Myvi’s sales figure in 2020 alone will give you an indication.
Last year, a total of 66,330 units of the Myvi found new homes. For reference, Proton sold 7,636 units of the Iriz – a massive gap in terms of sales between the two national B-segment hatchbacks.
Also Read: Proton wants the No.1 spot, but this is how big their models' gap from Perodua is
As such, even though with a dated four-speed automatic, the Myvi remains a sales success and customers are happy with what's offered to them right now; regardless of what internet commenters are saying.
Will the Myvi get a CVT transmission?
With the introduction of an all-new model, a revision in the powertrain department is to be expected. As such, there is a chance for the next-generation Perodua Myvi to get the powertrain from the Perodua Ativa – Perodua’s current technology showcase.
Further cementing this notion is that new features found on Perodua’s technology showcase models typically trickle down to other models like how the Myvi’s ASA AEB suite, LED headlights, and auto start-stop got trickled down to other models like the Bezza and Axia.
Also Read: Perodua Ativa's (D55L) CVT to be better than Proton's. What's the D in D-CVT?
Thus, the next-gen Myvi is expected to receive the Dual-mode CVT (D-CVT) from the Ativa, one that we’ve dived into detail here.
Judging from the same logic, the next-generation Perodua Myvi will also likely get the Perodua Ativa’s turbocharged 1KR-VET 1.0-litre three-pot engine that does 98 PS and 140 Nm, replacing the naturally-aspirated 1.3- and 1.5-litre engines.
How soon will the next-gen Perodua Myvi be introduced?
Not so soon. At the moment, Perodua is busy with development work of the next-gen Perodua Alza, codenamed D27A. Recall that Perodua is capable of launching one updated model and one brand-new (Full model change, FMC) model in a year’s time.