MPV or SUV? Toyota Veloz to get higher ground clearance than D27A Perodua Alza
Hans · Jul 21, 2022 02:49 PM
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Is the Perodua Alza and its sister-car the Toyota Veloz an MPV or an SUV? Of course, most people will still see these two cars as an MPV but that’s because of the product image created by their predecessors, the first generation Perodua Alza and the Toyota Avanza respectively.
If you are to approach these two products from a fresh perspective, dropping their respective models’ heritage, then the answer is not so simple.
Afterall, none of the Alza and Veloz’s rivals are MPVs in a traditional sense anymore. The Honda BR-V and Mitsubishi Xpander are marketed as 7-seater quasi-SUVs, with SUV-like high ground clearance as one of their key selling points.
Only the ageing Proton Exora still fits the template as a typical MPV.
After yesterday's launch of the all-new Perodua Alza, we now learned that the Toyota Veloz will have a higher ground clearance than the Alza.
The all-new D27A 2022 Perodua Alza has a 160 mm ground clearance (variants with 16-inch wheels). That’s a lot lower than rivals like the outgoing generation Honda BR-V (200 mm) and Mitsubishi Xpander (205 mm).
In fact, it’s very close to the Proton Exora’s 155 mm ground clearance.
For reference, an all-wheel drive Subaru XV has a 220 mm ground clearance.
The table below is a comparison of ground clearance, and you will see that some of these 'MPVs' have a higher ground clearance than SUVs (or if you prefer, crossovers). Hence why we say these 7-seaters are more SUVs than MPVs.
Presumably, the Alza's lower 160 mm ground clearance is to differentiate the unibody chassis Alza from the 220 mm ground clearance semi-ladder frame Perodua Aruz, which like the Alza, is also a 7-seater.
Owners of the previous generation Alza appreciated its more car-like ride and handling, so it is important for the all-new Alza to retain this car-like character. Since the latest Alza rides on the same B-segment DNGA-B platform as the Perodua Ativa, this is not a concern at all.
Having a high ground clearance is great for dealing with urban flash floods or when traversing over rough roads, but it also makes it difficult for toddlers and the elderly to get in and out of the car.
This is also why many families prefer sliding door minivans like a Nissan Serena or a Toyota Alphard, than an SUV.
Sister-company UMW Toyota however, feels that a higher ground clearance Toyota Veloz is more suitable for its customers, and thus will offer the Veloz with a higher 205 mm ground clearance, 45 mm more than the Alza.
This is partly related to the Veloz’s larger wheels, 17-inch versus the Alza’s 16- (H and AV variants) and 15-inch (X variant) items.
Mechanically, the Veloz is identical to the Alza but there are some differences in features.
The Toyota Veloz is about RM 20k more expensive (estimated price RM 95,000) than the highest specifications Perodua Alza 1.5 AV, but adds wireless charging for smartphones, as well as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Apple CarPlay (wired only) is supported by the Alza’s infotainment hardware but the feature is disabled due to licensing issues with Apple.
The more expensive Toyota Veloz also gets larger 17-inch wheels, two-tone exterior paint, LED daytime running lights, LED ambient lighting for the cabin, roof rails, and more importantly - telescopic steering for a more comfortable driving position.
More details on the Toyota Veloz will be announced in the coming weeks.
Over 15 years of experience in automotive, from product planning, to market research, to print and digital media. Garages a 6-cylinder manual RWD but buses to work.