The 2022 Perodua Alza and upcoming 2022 Toyota Veloz are based on the same platform, share the same powertrain, and will be built by Perodua, in Rawang. 

However, with prices estimated at RM 95k, the 2022 Veloz costs some RM 20k more than the top-spec 2022 Alza, which might make you wonder - are 2022 Veloz customers paying for a badge, or is there more than meets the eye?

Also read: All-new 2022 Toyota Veloz for Malaysia: With ACC, wireless AA/CP, est. price RM 95k

Here's a shortlist of all the differences between the 2022 Veloz and 2022 Alza. 

The Veloz and Alza have different front and rear bumpers

The major styling differences between the 2022 Alza and 2022 Veloz are concentrated on the front and rear bumper, and wheel arches.

The most noticeable is the grille fascia and foglamp garnish, whilst at the side, the 2022 Veloz's wheel arches are more chiselled. At the back, there is a different design on the lower apron and rear reflector garnishing at both ends.

The 2022 Veloz has bigger wheels

The 2022 Veloz rides on larger 17-inch wheels versus the 16-inch wheels on the Alza AV and H variants, the lower Alza X variant is fitted with 15-inch wheels. 

The Veloz's larger wheels lend to a more premium and sporty look for the Toyota sibling. 

The 2022 Veloz offers LED headlights and DRLs

The 2022 Veloz is offered with LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) for a snazzy lighting signature. 

The 2022 Alza, on the other hand, features LED headlights and LED front foglights in the AV and H variants. While the optional RM 2,500 GearUp kit offer LEDs on the bottom edges of the front skirt, those are merely LED guide lights and aren't DRLs. 

The 2022 Veloz offers dual-tone paint options

Whilst both the Veloz and Alza are offered with 5 body colours, the 2022 Veloz crucially offers two dual-tone exterior colours (silver/black roof and blue/black roof) for a premium of RM 1,300.

The 2022 Alza, on the other hand, also offers five colours. Garnet Red and Vintage Brown are two colours reserved for the H and AV variants of the Alza. 

The 2022 Veloz rides higher than the Alza

The 2022 Veloz offers a 30 mm taller ground clearance at 190 mm, versus the 2022 Alza's 160 mm.

The ground clearance of the 2022 Veloz is still lower than that of the Xpander (at 205 mm), but it serves to give the Veloz a stronger SUV-like attitude, whilst the Alza’s ride height is closer to that of a ‘traditional’ MPV, such as the Proton Exora.

Also read: MPV or SUV? Toyota Veloz to get higher ground clearance than D27A Perodua Alza

The 2022 Veloz features roof rails

The 2022 Veloz features roof rails highlighting a stronger SUV-like attitude. The 2022 Alza is not offered with roof rails. 

2022 Veloz gets full-width LED light bar taillights

The 2022 Veloz features the ‘Veloz’ script on the rear tailgate, which is complemented by an LED light bar that runs across the tailgate meeting at the logo in the centre. 

Whereas in the 2022 Alza, the light strip stops short of a central trim piece featuring the Perodua logo. 

The 2022 Veloz has a different interior design

Besides aesthetic differences – the 2022 Veloz also gets some interior styling bits to give it a more premium execution.

The most obvious are white middle dashboard trim, as well as patterned silver trim pieces along the sides of the centre console. The same trim is red in colour on the top-spec Alza 1.5 AV. 

Look closely and you'll also notice that the Alza and Veloz both have different air-conditioning vents. 

The 2022 Veloz also gets chunky door pull-type handles versus the 2022 Alza’s which are integrated into the door panels.

Blue ambient lighting is standard on the Veloz

The 2022 Veloz offers blue ambient lighting, whereby the LED lights run along the door panels and along the sides of the centre console. 

For Alza owners that want in on LED lighting, Perodua offers floor lighting as part of the Alza's GearUp kit. It retails for RM 250.

Veloz is the first Toyota model to offer Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Both the Veloz and Alza get the same-sized 9-inch touchscreens but the Veloz is confirmed to offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Alza on the other hand, gets wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. That said, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is only available on the top-spec Alza 1.5 AV variant.

Also read: Does the 2022 Perodua Alza come with Apple CarPlay? Yes and no

Wireless charging to complement wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The 2022 Veloz is offered with wireless Qi charging, a handy slot just behind the EPB button, and underneath the centre armrest keeps things neat and convenient. The 2022 Alza only offers wired charging via USB charging ports. 

The 2022 Veloz offers auto air-conditioning

The 2022 Veloz is fitted with different air conditioning controls that feature an Auto climate control function. 

The 2022 Alza on the other hand features Perodua's familiar control unit that does not automatic climate control, but offers 2 memory presets instead. The Alza also offers foot and windscreen blower modes, and it remains to be seen if the Veloz offers those as well. 

Tilt and telescopic steering 

While UMW Toyota Motor has yet to confirm that the Malaysian-spec Veloz will offer tilt and telescopic steering, the Veloz that's currently sold in Thailand and Indonesia do offer this feature. 

As such, we reckon there's a good possibility for the Malaysian-spec Veloz to offer tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment. The 2022 Veloz and Mitsubishi Xpander are the only vehicles in their segment to offer the features, while the 2022 Alza and Honda BR-V still do not offer the feature. 

Conclusion

Considering what we know so far, we can surmise that 2022 Veloz's aesthetic differences and additional features do well to set itself apart from the 2022 Alza. 

The tasteful styling, increased ride height, bigger wheels and roof rails give it a stronger overall presence, whilst the interior appointments and high-value features such as wireless AA / CP and Qi charging exude a more premium execution. 

Also read: RM 20k more than Alza, Toyota Veloz is too expensive? 5,200 Malaysians don't think so

While it will not sell in great numbers, the 2022 Veloz will appeal to loyal Toyota customers who may want to replace their ageing Avanza or Innova, or second, or third car buyers that may already have more expensive vehicles within their collection.