• Iriz 1.6 Executive is almost identically priced to the Myvi 1.3 G with PSDA.
• Iriz has more power; Myvi is more efficient.
• Iriz has better infotainment; Myvi has more space.
• The list goes on and one winner has been picked.

You’ve probably read or heard about the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift and its impressive list of advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, etc. But those are only available on the range-topping AV variant, which is nudging close to RM 60k.

Meanwhile, the range-topping 2022 Proton Iriz 1.6 Active is priced at RM 54,000. However, I’d like to divert some attention to the Proton Iriz 1.6 Executive, priced at RM 47,100.

Also read: Ratings: 2022 Proton Iriz Active - How much better is this updated Myvi rival?

Comparatively, the 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift starts from RM 45,700 for the 1.3 G variant and RM 47,700 for the 1.3 G with PSDA (Perodua’s suite of ADAS).

For nearly the same price, you have the choice of either the 2022 Proton Iriz 1.6 Executive or the 2022 Perodua Myvi 1.3 G with PSDA.

Powertrain – Myvi may be king but Iriz has more power

Let’s start with powertrains. The Proton Iriz 1.6 Executive comes with a… well, 1.6-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine that makes 109 PS/150 Nm, mated to a CVT-type automatic.

On the other hand, the Myvi in question here gets a 1.3-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine with 95 PS/121 Nm, paired to a CVT as well.

On paper, the Iriz has the upper hand here in terms of output, no arguments there.

Exterior – LED DRLs or LED headlamps, take your pick

As for the exterior, it’s as subjective as they come and will down entirely down to personal preferences. Things to note are the larger wheels in the Iriz Executive, measuring 16-inch, wrapped in 185/55 profile rubbers. The Myvi 1.3 G wears 14-inch wheels with 175/65 tyres.

Also, the Myvi 1.3 G features LED headlights as standard but loses out on daytime running lights (DRL). The Iriz Executive gets DRLs but misses out on LED headlights. It’s a give and take, but both feature follow-me-home headlamps.

Interior – Iriz is better equipped, Myvi has more space

Moving inside, both get keyless entry with push start button, urethane steering wheel, 4 speakers, and the similarities stop right about there. The Myvi 1.3 G’s head unit has only 2 listening sources – FM radio and USB input. No Bluetooth connectivity, sadly.

In this age of digital music, being able to connect to a car’s infotainment system or head unit is almost essential. Buyers shouldn’t have to spend more on aftermarket solutions just for it.

Inside the Iriz Executive, there’s an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with smartphone and Bluetooth connectivity. No “Hi Proton” voice command or online music streaming here, but it’s a step up from the Myvi 1.3 G nevertheless.

On top of having a better infotainment system, the Iriz Executive’s seats are upholstered in leatherette, compared to the Myvi 1.3 G’s fabric seats. 

Speaking of seats, the ones in the Iriz are larger in size and more supportive than in the Myvi. While we’re at it, there’s also an armrest in the Iriz.

In terms interior features, it’s a win for the Iriz Executive. In terms of interior space however, that still belongs to the Myvi.

Safety – You can’t have it all

Both the Proton Iriz Executive and Perodua Myvi 1.3 G are equipped with the usual set of passive safety features like ABS, EBD, stability and traction control, plus hill-start assist.

Here’s the interesting part – the Myvi 1.3 G has only four airbags whereas the Iriz Executive has six airbags with the addition of curtain airbags. But as the name of the variant suggests, the Myvi 1.3 G with PSDA has AEB, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Departure Prevention.

This is a tough call to decide which has the upper hand. On one hand, you can’t deny the effectiveness of curtain airbags in protecting against head injuries or even death in the event of side collisions. On the other, AEB is important because prevention is the ultimate goal to road safety.

Also read: No ADAS but the 2022 Proton Persona and Iriz has one feature every car should have

Driving experience – Iriz still trumps

Yours truly haven’t driven the Myvi 1.3 G per se, but I have sampled the facelifted Myvi 1.5 AV with the same transmission – the new D-CVT. And having driven it, I can say that the transmission is a more accomplished unit than the 2022 Proton Iriz’s CVT.

Also read: Review: 2022 Proton Iriz Active – more tech, but has the CVT improved enough?

Granted, the CVT in the Iriz has improved and is now perfectly acceptable, but drive these two back-to-back and you’ll immediately feel the difference. The Myvi’s D-CVT exhibits none of that clutch-slipping sensation that you can still provoke in the Iriz, while high-speed acceleration feels more direct.

Plus, the Myvi cruises at 110 km/h with the tachometer pointing at a gentle 2,000 rpm. At the same speed, the Iriz would be cruising at around 3,000 rpm. This, of course, affects fuel consumption. Based on the fuel consumption tests of their range-topping counterparts, we can surmise that the Myvi is more fuel-efficient than the Iriz.

Where the Iriz claws back some brownie points is in the driving department. Steering is well-weighted and feels natural. Body control is excellent and the communicative chassis means you’ll know what’s happening at all times. The Myvi isn't too shabby either but in this company, the Iriz outshines it.

Also read: 2022 Perodua Myvi 1.5L CVT has lower fuel consumption than our Ativa

Ride comfort - Iriz doesn't just drive better, it's more comfortable

The Iriz is a noticeably quieter car to travel in with better rolling refinement. There’s less tyre noise at any speed. We’ve measured the noise level in the range-topping Iriz and Myvi and here are the results.

Then there’s the much-praised Proton Ride and Handling. The Iriz just flows on any type of road at any speed. Sharp edges are rounded off so it never gets crashy and it settles quickly over larger undulations. Meanwhile, the Myvi's suspension doesn't deal with tricky surfaces quite as confidently and just falls short of the Iriz.

Simply put, the Iriz handles better than the Myvi whilst being more comfortable. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.

Also read: 6AT mulled, is the Proton Iriz / Persona’s CVT that bad? Here’s what’s new

Conclusion

Personally, I would pick the 2022 Proton Iriz 1.6 Executive over the 2022 Perodua Myvi 1.3 G with PSDA. Driving experience is an important aspect to me and with the added power and well-sorted chassis, the choice becomes clear.

More importantly, the Iriz is a more comfortable car to be in. The larger seats are significantly more supportive and the quieter cabin reduces fatigue on longer journeys. Be it enthusiasts or the casual everyday driver, everyone can appreciate the added comfort. So you see, it's not just the better driving experience that everyone harps on about.

I also prefer the Iriz's interior. It has leatherette seats and a touchscreen infotainment system while the Myvi doesn’t even offer Bluetooth. Sure, the Myvi is more spacious, but the Iriz isn't exactly cramped either.

Also read: We've tested the new 2022 Proton Iriz and Persona's fuel efficiency, better than before?

But that’s just me personally; would you trade more power for fuel efficiency, more interior features and comfort for more space, or perhaps six airbags for AEB? Do share your thoughts in the comments section.

Also read: 2022 Proton Iriz facelift - Worth paying RM 7k more for the Active variant?