• Perodua Bezza scored 5 stars in 2016
• D74A Perodua Axia scored 4 stars in 2023, the two results are not comparable - scoring method is different
• New 2021 - 2025 ASEAN NCAP test protocol prioritizes motorcycle safety, grants bonus points to AEB that detects motorcycles

ASEAN NCAP has just released its report on the upcoming all-new D74A 2023 Perodua Axia and the entry Perodua model scored 73.55 points which give it 4 stars. That's one star short of the full 5 star-rating that the Perodua Bezza achieved.

Does this mean the all-new Axia is less safe compared to the older Bezza according to ASEAN NCAP? Well, no and that’s because both the D74A Axia and the Bezza were tested under different methodologies.

While there are different new car assessment programmes (NCAP) all over the world like Euro NCAP, the Chinese NCAP, the Australasian NCAP, and the Japanese NCAP, each of these institutions have different rating methodologies. Just because a car is rated 5 stars in Europe doesn’t mean it would be the same as the one offered in Malaysia or the region as specifications vary by market/region.

Also read: Proven safety as Chery Omoda 5 awarded full five-star rating by Euro NCAP

As such, not only do each of these organisations have its own methodologies, but they would also constantly update the scoring protocols every few years or so. Usually, these newer methodologies would accommodate the latest safety technologies or even autonomous features like autopilot.

Euro NCAP changes its methodology every 3 years while ASEAN NCAP changes its methodology every 5 years. The current ASEAN NCAP methodology is in effect between 2021 to 2025 and is regarded as the first phase of its decade-long roadmap.

Also read: Full 5-star crash test rating by ASEAN NCAP for the 2022 Honda BR-V and D27A Perodua Alza, but which is safer?

Compared to the Bezza’s crash test methodology in 2016, the all-new Axia has to undergo more stringent scoring. Looking at the Bezza’s crash test report, there were two ratings scored – variants with ESC were given 5 stars while those with ESC absent were only given 4 stars. It was a rudimentary methodology, to say the least.

A year after the Bezza’s results were posted, ASEAN NCAP introduced an updated methodology which comprised three main pillars – Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), and Safety Assist (SAT). This methodology would last between 2017 and 2020 and if the Bezza were to be tested under this methodology, it might not retain the 5-star rating.

Also read: Top Rank: What are the safest cars according to ASEAN NCAP?

The current 2021-25 methodology adds another category – Motorcyclist Safety (MS) in light of the high number of accident fatalities involving motorcyclists in Southeast Asia.

Also read: ASEAN NCAP to assess AEB systems starting Jan 2021, motorcyclist safety included

That is the only area where the D74A Axia did not manage to score 5 stars according to the ASEAN NCAP report. The hatchback excelled in the AOP, COP, and Safety Assist categories but could only muster 4 out of 5 stars in the MS category.

The reason is due to the Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) only being able to detect larger vehicles but not as effective on bikes. Still, that doesn’t mean the all-new Axia is unsafe and in fact, it’s far from it.

Also read: Like what you see? Sneak peek at D74A 2023 Perodua Axia - bigger, better, safer, more fuel efficient, and more comfortable too

The D74A Axia comes standard with 2 airbags, ABS, and VSC while the higher variants are equipped with PSDA and 6 airbags. Estimated prices for the all-new Axia range from RM 38.6k to RM 49.5k and at the time of publication, there have been over 3,500 bookings of the D74A Axia.

Also read: Review: First impression of D74A 2023 Perodua Axia - New gold standard for entry-level cars in Malaysia