All-new 2022 Daihatsu Xenia debuts in Indonesia: First look at the next-gen Alza, priced from RM 56k to RM 71k

Following the debut of the all-new Toyota Avanza and Veloz, Daihatsu Indonesia has just taken covers off the equally-new Daihatsu Xenia – the third derivative of one of Indonesia’s best-selling models.

With the all-new Xenia, Avanza, and Veloz under their belt, Daihatsu and Toyota will battle the equally-new Honda BR-V, Mitsubishi Xpander, and Suzuki Ertiga in the archipelago.

Also Read: All-new 2022 Toyota Avanza debuts: Now FWD, TSS, RM 60k to RM 85k, Malaysia launch next year?

Interestingly, the all-new Xenia is priced lower than the Avanza, with prices starting from IDR 190.9 million (~RM 56k) before topping out at IDR 242.7 million (~RM 71k). 

Powertrain – No turbo here, just the familiar duo

Two engines are offered on the all-new Daihatsu Xenia, both of which are carried over units. The first is a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre 2NR-VE petrol engine that does 106 PS and 136 Nm.

As for the second engine option, it is a naturally-aspirated 1.3-litre 1NR-VE that does 98 PS and 121 Nm.

Both engines are either mated to a CVT transmission or a five-speed manual, sending power to the front wheels. Yes, like the Avanza and Veloz, the Xenia is also front-wheel-driven, as this trio is now underpinned by the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform. 

Exterior – Could this preview the next-gen Alza?

Think about this – Daihatsu and Toyota have a total of three different front-ends for the model.

Unlike the top-of-the-line Veloz and its massive front grille, the Xenia gets a more conventional-looking two-piece grille, with a honeycomb mesh pattern grille.

Like the Avanza and Veloz, the Xenia makes do without any body cladding, though selected variants are offered with a body kit.

Depending on variant, the all-new Xenia offers a host of alloy wheel sizes, ranging from 15- to 16-inches.

Interior – Upmarket as it gets

The interior of the all-new Daihatsu Xenia largely mirrors that of the Avanza, not the Veloz. As such, it gets a regular mechanical hand brake, not an electric parking brake (EPB).

The new-generation Xenia also adds keyless entry and push start button to the mix, as well as a floating-style infotainment display.

Helping the Xenia separate itself from the Avanza is the inclusion of an air ionizer.

Safety – No more compromises

With the new-generation model, Daihatsu is aiming to change the model's safety aspects, as the all-new Xenia’s safety kit is nothing short of comprehensive. Like the Raize/Rocky/Ativa, upper variants of the Xenia offer no less than six airbags, as well as the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) ADAS suite.

The ASA ADAS suite includes features like Lane Departure Assist (LDA), Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC), Front Departure Alert (FDA), Pre-Collision System (PCS), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM).

What about Malaysia?

While the Daihatsu Xenia is not offered in Malaysia, its stablemate, the Avanza is.

For Malaysia, local assembly (CKD) cannot be ruled out for the next-gen Avanza, however, at this point of time, it is too soon to be certain. It is also very likely that we'll be getting the higher spec Avanza Veloz instead of the regular Avanza.

As a refresher, earlier, we have established that the next-generation Perodua Alza will be a twin model to the all-new Toyota Avanza, mirroring a similar arrangement with the Toyota Rush and Perodua Aruz. Will the all-new Avanza and next-gen Alza mirror the same Rush-Aruz arrangement?

Also Read: DNGA-based, next-gen 2022 Perodua Alza could launch at the end of this year