Now that UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has finally launched the new 2022 Toyota Veloz, we can now pit it against its donor car, the equally-new D27A Perodua Alza.

Right off the bat, prices of the D27A Perodua Alza tops out at RM 75,500, while the Toyota Veloz is priced at RM 95,000, meaning the Alza is cheaper than the Veloz by RM 19,500.

Let's see what the additional RM 19,500 in the Veloz gets over the Alza.

Exterior – Larger wheels, chunkier fenders, swaps fog lamps for LED DRLs

Right off the bat, both MPVs, despite being manufactured at Perodua’s plant in Rawang, are designed very differently.

Also Read: Drifter explains why the 2022 Perodua Alza AV is the best daily-driver to complement his S15 Silvia

The Veloz boasts a very bold front fascia, encapsulating a massive, blocky pentagonal grille with equally sharp LED DRLs surrounds. Both LED headlights are connected with a chrome strip. And yes, unlike the Alza, the Veloz lacks front fog lights.

Also Read: Perodua Alza vs Toyota Veloz - RM 20k extra for a 'T' badge, or is there more to it?

Meanwhile on the Alza, Perodua has grated on its family look onto the 7-seater, giving it a more sculptured look. While the Alza also boasts a chrome strip between its headlights, that’s the only part finished in chrome.

Look closely and you’ll also notice that the headlight design on both MPVs differ – the Alza’s ones are more angular, while the Veloz looks more in-line with other Toyota models, similar to the Toyota Corolla Cross.

Also Read: Toyota Veloz launched in Malaysia; priced from RM 95k, telescopic steering, TSS, wireless CarPlay

Towards the sides, the Veloz has a more prominent fender flares, which aren’t as noticeable on its Perodua sibling. Not just that, the Veloz also wears larger 17-inch alloy wheels as standard (Alza’s rim sizes vary between 15- and 16-inches).

Continuing on the sides, the Veloz also features functional roof rails that can take up to a 75 kg load, and it also boasts a 30 mm taller ground clearance than the Alza, coming in at 190 mm.

As for the rear-end, the Veloz features a more rugged design with a faux skid plate on the bottom half of the bumper, while the Alza features a simpler black trim piece.

The Veloz also features a full-width LED tail light design, as opposed to the two-piece design of the Alza. Further differentiating both MPVs are the position of the mode emblem – the Veloz’s model emblem is worn across the trim piece above the number plate, while the Alza has its emblem on the lower right corner of the tailgate.

Also Read: Shortcomings: Two things holding back the 2022 Perodua Alza from perfection

Interior – Both lack storage space on the centre stack, but the Veloz looks more upmarket

Stepping into the cabin of both MPVs and the differences are more noticeable, starting with the dual-tone finishing on the dashboards.

On the newly-launched Veloz, the Veloz gets soft-padded dashboard trim with stitching, complete with a nameplate emblem. The Alza also offers a dual-tone dashboard, albeit finished in brown.

Both the Veloz and Alza (in its range-topping AV variant) offer a 9-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, but the Toyota offers wireless support for both aforementioned features.

In addition to that, the Veloz also adds a Qi wireless charging pad behind the electric parking brake (EPB) button. No such feature on the Alza, but it does offer a door lock/unlock button instead.

Both MPVs also offer a fully-digital 7-inch instrument cluster, but the Veloz includes an external temperature reading, visible on the left side of the cluster.

Then there’s the air-conditioning controls. The Alza has the typical Perodua unit, replete with 2 memory functions, while the Veloz offers an automatic climate control feature. That being said, the Veloz loses out on a multi-mode blower; its air-conditioning system can only blow in one direction, there’s no windshield or foot blower here.

If we were to nitpick, it would be the Veloz's lack of storage space on the centre stack; it's identical to the Alza. But unlike the Alza, you can place your phone on the Qi wireless charging pad, which the Alza lacks.

The seats for both MPVs are also different – the Alza has the same brown colour found on the dashboard, while the Veloz has full-black seats.

The differences between the Veloz and Alza continue to the door panels. The Veloz features a sleek handle for passengers to grab onto, while the Alza lacks that feature.

Also Read: Pros and Cons: 2022 Perodua Alza - Best sub-RM 100k car, but not without its small niggles

Furthermore, the Veloz also features a cool blue ambient lighting system. While the Alza lacks ambient lighting, Perodua does offer an optional GearUp foot lighting system for its newest 7-seater MPV.

One small detail we also noticed is that the Veloz lacks the panoramic view monitor (PVM) button on the steering wheel (Alza has it). To toggle PVM, Veloz owners need to access the feature via the infotainment system.

Crucially, the RM 95k Toyota Veloz offers a steering column with tilt and telescopic adjustment, something Perodua does not offer until today.

Also Read: Telescopic steering is just one of many reasons why the Toyota Veloz costs RM 20k more than the Alza

Conclusion – Is the Veloz worth the RM 20k price premium over the Alza?

For many buyers, the D27A Perodua Alza ticks all the right boxes – it is safe, it is practical, and most importantly, it is priced affordably.

What else could you possibly ask for from the top-spec Alza that costs less than an entry-level Toyota Vios? So much so that more than 51,000 Malaysians have booked one.

But don’t write off the Veloz just yet – it still has its merits. For the additional RM 20k, you’re not only getting a slightly more feature-packed 7-seater MPV, more importantly, the Veloz is an excellent point of entry into the Toyota ownership experience, one that has been highly praised by many quarters.

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