Perodua cars are outdated, and they’re perfect that way

What is the only B-segment hatchback that still uses a 4-speed automatic?

The Perodua Myvi.

What is the only brand-new car that still has no ABS?

The Perodua Axia (E)

What manufacturer is yet to fit electronic parking brakes in any of its cars?

Perodua.

Perodua cars are extremely popular for one very good reason – they’re affordable. Fortunately for Perodua customers, the cars also turned out rather reliable and good enough for daily driving.

Despite Perodua’s success, their cars are actually quite outdated. They've always stuck with the 4-speed automatic gearbox and the engines have always been naturally aspirated. But perhaps, being outdated is what made them as successful as they are today.

Let’s have a look at some Perodua cars:

1. Perodua Axia

The Perodua Axia was launched in 2014 - a year after the Daihatsu Ayla was launched in Indonesia. In 2014, the first iteration of the Axia did not have VVT and for RM 33,200, the Perodua Axia G didn’t even have ABS. Thankfully the 2017 facelift introduced the VVT engine, but it was still paired to a conventional 4-speed automatic. The 2019 facelift further introduced better safety systems for the Axia.

2. Perodua Myvi

The Perodua Myvi is the only B-segment hatchback with a 4-speed automatic. Other hatchbacks in this segment have either shifted to CVT (Iriz, Yaris, Jazz) or increased the number of gear ratios in the planetary gear automatic transmission and added tiptronic (Mazda 2, VW Polo)

3. Perodua Alza

The Perodua Alza has been around since 2009 and still goes on sale to this day. Despite the cosmetic changes, the Alza still runs on the same 3SZ-VE engine from 2009. The 1.5 L engine is paired to a traditional 4-speed automatic gearbox. 11 years of the same tech and running, the Alza has outlived its only direct rival, the Proton Ertiga.

4. Perodua Aruz

The Perodua Aruz is built on a ladder-frame, which is a rather traditional construction method for private-owned passenger vehicles. Categorized as an “SUV”, the 1.5 L engine underpowers the rear wheels via an also traditional 4-speed automatic.

There are more Perodua models that we can talk about, but you get the point. Perodua has stuck with small naturally-aspirated engines and 4-speed automatics all this while. New technology is usually adopted a little bit later than rivalling brands.

For one last example, let’s take the first and second generation Perodua Myvi.

Both 1st and 2nd gen Myvi used mechanical throttle

Launched in Malaysia a year after the launch of the Toyota Passo, production of the "Passo" Myvi began in 2005 and finally ended in 2017. The first generation used hydraulic power steering while the second generation came with Electronic Power Steering (EPS). 

What remained constant in both generations of the Myvi was the use of a mechanical throttle. To give a little context, Proton was already using electronic throttle control in the 2007 Proton Persona.

Being outdated has many drawbacks, especially if it concerns safety. However, in the case of Perodua, it is what makes them work perfectly for their customers. Hear me out.

With most Perodua cars only being used for basic daily driving, the tried and tested 4-speed automatic is slow but sufficient. By avoiding the turbocharger, Perodua cars have been relatively easy to maintain and fix. By avoiding the CVT, Perodua didn’t have to figure out how to fix a sluggish gearbox. Don’t even talk about DCT.

And by making cars that shared a lot of parts with older models, it is easy for Perodua owners to source spare parts for their cars, further extending the car's service life.

For very average use and for long ownership periods, Perodua cars work perfectly. They are boring, conventional, and uninspiring. But they are also built on tried and tested engineering solutions. And that works.

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Arif

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Previously an engineer in an automotive manufacturing company and a highway concessionaire. A part-time research student on b...

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