Is the D74A Perodua Axia still an A-segment car? Its wheelbase is longer than the Myvi

Perodua launched the D74A 2023 Perodua Axia last month, with prices ranging between RM 38,600 to RM 49,500. Not only has prices gone up, but its dimensions have also increased by a fair bit.

With its increase in size that now inches closer to the Perodua Myvi, can the D74A Perodua Axia be considered an A-segment model?

Let’s take a closer look.

When the first-generation Perodua Axia was launched back in 2014, it was clear that the Axia was positioned as Perodua’s entry-level model, down to its dimensions which were smaller than the Myvi, as well as its prices (RM 24,600 to RM 42,530).

Also Read: Review: 2023 Perodua Axia 1.0 AV - A pretty high bar for entry-level cars in Malaysia

That being said, we should establish the fact that, for the most part, a car’s wheelbase is what normally determines its segment. This is not a hard and fast rule, as newer generation cars and cross-platform sharing are blurring the lines of how we traditionally compare cars.

In the case of the D74A Perodua Axia, thanks to its DNGA underpinnings, wheelbase has grown significantly to 2,525 mm, up 60 mm compared to the model it replaces. The 2,525 mm wheelbase, crucially, also means that the Axia’s wheelbase is 25 mm longer than the Perodua Myvi (2,500 mm).

Kinda odd calling the Axia an A-segment car now, isn’t it?

Another example of this is the Toyota Corolla Cross. While some may argue that the Corolla nameplate and TNGA-C platform would mean that it is a C-segment SUV, by referring to its wheelbase we would get a clearer picture.

Also Read: Quick Review: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport - Just the balance buyers secretly needed

The Toyota Corolla Cross has a 2,640 mm long wheelbase, 60 mm shorter than the actual-C-segment Corolla Altis. More importantly, its 2,640 mm wheelbase puts the Corolla Cross firmly in the B-segment category, rivalling core rivals such as the Honda HR-V (2,610 mm) and Proton X50 (2,600 mm).

The key point is that we shouldn’t get too hung up on vehicle segments. While newer generation models like the D74A Axia and its long wheelbase straddle between traditional vehicle segments and blur the lines, the more important deciding factor is the value proposition offered by the vehicle you’re looking at.