The 2022 Perodua Alza D27A does a face/off with the new Toyota Avanza, Daihatsu Xenia
Dinesh · Nov 15, 2021 04:34 PM
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Given the delays caused by the pandemic, the local automotive industry is experiencing a flurry of activity as 2021 concludes. Furthermore, given that secrets are pretty much non-existent in the industry, part of said on goings include the 2022 Perodua Alza that’s hot on the heels of the Perodua Ativa.
If Theo is right, we're definitely getting the sibling with the better genes.
More of a matter of when rather than if, the second-generation Alza is to be based on the Daihatsu Multisix concept that debuted at the 2017 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) alongside the DN Trec; which if you’ll remember went on to become the Ativa.
Since there's no rendering for the rear, hopes are all we have.
The Ativa marked the first model in Perodua’s stable to be based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform. With over a billion-ringgit invested in Perodua’s manufacturing facility, logic dictates that more DNGA vehicles will follow.
Rightly so, a vendor has mentioned that the 2022 Alza; codenamed D27A, will be here by the end of the year. Given that the 2022 Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia have surfaced in Indonesia, the timing leaves little reason to doubt the vendor.
It's definitely a step up over its predecessor.
If there’s anything Malaysians love more than a new vehicle from a local automaker, it’s to speculate on its appearance. Local Photoshop wizard Theophilus Chin has waved his digital wand and given us a render of what the new Alza may look like when it drops.
The render carries a more matured front fascia over the Xenia base.
Starting with the Xenia, he plastered on the Ativa’s front fascia and smoothened out the edges. Although he’s dropped most of the red pinstriping, the primary one along the entire top of the fascia remains. He did however add on some black claddings around the vehicle. Given the success of the Axia Style and Proton Iriz Active, that might prove to be an ace up its sleeve.
It's pretty mundane without the cladding but the option is there.
Following the shift to the DNGA platform, the Avanza and Xenia now have motivation going to the front wheels. There’s a pair of familiar petrol mills above said wheels; the 1NR-VE 1.3-litre naturally-aspirated DOHC inline-four with Dual VVT-I and the larger 2NR-VE 1.5-litre.
Nothing to get the blood pumping here.
The latter comes with 98 PS at 6,000 rpm and 121 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. We’ll likely be receiving the 1.5-litre lump that makes 106 PS at 6,000 rpm and 137 Nm at 4,200 rpm. It can be had with a five-speed manual or Daihatsu’s D-CVT as seen in the Ativa.
Active safety should make it over to the new Alza.
Together with the DNGA platform comes a host of additional passive and active safety tech. Apart from the increased structural rigidity, it incorporates Toyota Safety Sense or Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA).
This suite of safety tech would easily make the Alza the best bang for your buck proposition against the new Honda BR-V and Mitsubishi Xpander that would be priced in a higher bracket.
Said tech would include Level 2 semi-autonomous driving courtesy of the ASA 3.0. It comprises Pre-collision Warning (4-120 km/h), Autonomous Emergency Braking, Front Departure Alert (FDA) with Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC), Lane Keep Control (LKC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Adaptive Cruise Control (30 to 125 km/h). There’ll be Lane Departure Warning and Prevention as well.
Over in Indonesia, the Xenia starts at 190.9 million rupiah (~RM 55k) and goes up to 209.2 million rupiah (~RM 61k). The Avanza naturally starts a little higher at 206.2 million rupiah (~RM 60k) and tops out at 264.4 million rupiah (~RM 77k).
“Better late than never.” Some despise it, others begrudgingly agree with it but he swears by it… much to the chagrin of everyone around him. That unfortunately stems from all of his project cars not running most of the time, which in turn is testament to his questionable decision-making skills in life. A culmination of many wrongs fortunately making a right; much like his project cars on the rare occasions they run, he’s still trying to figure out if another project car is the way to go.
