Peroduas aren’t identified for refinement. They could have improved past recognition in lots of areas, however refinement; properly, it has been a weak level. However contemplating the truth that the oldsters from Rawang are promoting the most cost effective and finest worth automobiles in Malaysia, it’s forgivable.
Coming from a Myvi – which earlier than this was the carmaker’s flagship product – the largest takeaway from a brief journey and drive session within the Perodua D55L immediately (Perodua want to hold the title unveiling for the launch, however since everybody is looking it the Ativa, I’ll observe) is its refinement. There are two components to this.
Rolling noise and basic refinement is nice within the Ativa, considerably higher than within the third-generation Myvi, which was already higher than any P2 product when it got here out in 2017. The wheel properly roar, so daring within the Myvi, isn’t right here, and wind noise at freeway speeds (and past, we have been in P2’s personal check observe with strict SOPs in place) doesn’t stand out.
I needed to test the tyres as soon as my session ended, and it’s the Bridgestone Turanza T005A (sorry, no photos have been allowed on the session). That’s a really premium touring tyre for a RM70k automobile, and we’ve praised this mannequin earlier than when it was launched in 2018 – not only for its typical touring qualities, however for its stunning efficiency too. To see the T005 here’s a huge shock. The 16-inch wheels on the bottom X variant will get Goodyear Assurance tyres.
However good tyres can’t masks unhealthy NVH, and the Ativa isn’t a loud fella. Maybe extra vital is the D55L’s powertrain refinement. Now, figuring out that P2’s first turbo engine is actually a boosted model of the Axia and Bezza’s 1.0L KR engine, expectations aren’t excessive to say the least. In case you’ve pushed these automobiles, you’ll know that there are vital quantities of vibrations, that are reasonably noticeable at idle. This has been tamed within the Ativa.
For a three-cylinder engine in a non-sporting utility, you’ll need it to really feel as “regular” as attainable, and I really feel that not many patrons, if any, would know that the Ativa’s engine “lacks one cylinder” from the default 4. It does really feel and sound common. Many can have an opinion on this, so attempt it out and decide for your self.
Additionally feeling regular is the CVT gearbox, which is one other debuting element for Perodua. Very similar to fashionable CVTs from Toyota and Honda, it feels very pure in regular driving, with velocity rising with revs in linear trend. The D55L will get as much as freeway speeds with out an excessive amount of of a fuss; nonetheless, as standard for CVTs, the extra measured your proper foot is, the extra invisible it turns into.
There’s additionally a seven-speed handbook mode (through the sequential gear lever, push proper for S/M) for instances whenever you want extra management, in addition to a “Energy” button on the steering wheel’s proper spoke. That is supposed to offer you extra oomph and better revs, however the distinction isn’t night time and day. Maybe extra time is required. Longer seat time in the true world can be required to verify the Ativa’s good NVH efficiency.
One other huge query is energy. Sufficient is what I might say. Perodua’s inside check observe has a sweeping hill part mimicking a bit of the North South Freeway, and the Ativa – with two onboard – tackled it properly sufficient. The turbo engine’s sturdy mid vary implies that the Ativa feels much less strained than the Myvi 1.5L when pushed to the identical speeds, however we didn’t have the luxurious of a back-to-back comparability.
Perodua has but to launch official figures, however the JDM Rocky’s 1.0L 1KR-VET turbo triple makes 98 PS of energy and 140 Nm of torque from 2,400 to 4,000 rpm. The twist, and the place it’s made, makes the distinction. Energy goes to the entrance wheels – no 4WD right here as that’s reserved for Japan’s snowy mountains.
I’ve to confess that with only a quick loop, I can’t share a lot in regards to the SUV’s dynamics aside from the truth that it doesn’t really feel tall and clumsy (200 mm floor clearance, greater than Rocky) – and the drive expertise isn’t very totally different from a daily hatchback.
In comparison with Perodua’s personal best-selling hatchback nonetheless, there’s a better feeling of stability and heft in the best way the Ativa strikes, together with a greater damped journey. We perceive that the Ativa has a Malaysia-specific suspension setting, which is firmer than its comfort-focused JDM twin. Like spicy meals, we like our automobiles on the sporty aspect, for those who haven’t already realised.
Any shortcomings? For what it’s – a RM70k SUV – I can’t consider a lot actually. A few years in the past, we praised the Myvi for elevating the extent for Perodua (and funds automobiles usually), and the Ativa has now carried out the identical. Nonetheless, the leap this time isn’t just greater, however extra impressively, it might now be felt within the drive, and never simply on the spec sheet. With the Ativa, there’s now not a gulf between P2 and Toyota/Honda in powertrain and refinement.
Driving apart, P2’s SUV has an inside (it’s much like the Rocky’s, however the air conditioning management panel is exclusive to P2, and there’s AC reminiscence) that in all probability gained’t wow many like how the Proton X50 does, however it’s nonetheless comparatively funky and fashionable.
For many who need a style of premium, the X50 does significantly better on this regard, each in design and supplies. For the latter, it’s all onerous plastics within the P2, however with some texture thrown in to liven issues up. The gear lever encompass has an attention-grabbing diamond-like 3D sample, and high spec automobiles get purple accents.
I managed to take a look at the bottom spec X as properly, and eventually, there’s some not so excellent news to share. In contrast to the entry-level Myvi, the bottom Ativa does look very base certainly – its dashboard is a each day reminder that you just couldn’t afford the upper variants.
The shortage of a touchscreen infotainment system is the obvious due to the floating display design (slim, not like Toyota’s CRT TV-style housing), however that’s comprehensible – even style-conscious Mazda does this on decrease variants. Equally, the dearth of a digital instrument panel and its 4 show themes is to be anticipated; that’s OK as the dual analogue dials are sunken and really reasonably first rate wanting.
What’s extra jarring are the empty steering spokes. In contrast to within the Myvi, they’re very clearly designed for buttons, however solely the Energy button is left there, alone. With nearly no brightwork and accents (the above-mentioned ‘3D diamond’ gear lever encompass survived, fortunately) – it appears very dour.
Which isn’t what the Ativa is about, even the bottom X. The only-tone 16-inch wheels are OK to have a look at, and the spec listing is excellent. One will get LED headlamps, six airbags, the improved ASA 3.0 (which incorporates AEB), Auto Excessive Beam, and even Lane Departure Warning and Prevention on the entry-level RM62,500 (est) variant. The bottom Ativa X – at almost RM20k cheaper than the bottom X50 Commonplace – soundly beats the Proton in package and security. It simply may have been offered higher.
Now that we’ve touched on security package, it’s the Ativa’s trump card. On high of ASA 3.0 and LDW/P, the mid-spec H provides on Adaptive Driving Beam. An improve on AHB (which is already a P2 first), ADB is a great auto excessive beam that “cuts out” oncoming autos from the glare when excessive beam is on, as a substitute of dipping the excessive beam fully. A visual and fascinating bonus of ADB is sequential flip indicators.
The range-topping AV provides on Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Site visitors Alert (RCTA), Lane Preserve Management (LKC) and Adaptive Cruise Management (ACC, follows autos forward from 30 to 125 km/h). It’s wonderful to assume that adaptive excessive beam and ACC have been added to the Lexus NX in 2019, they usually’re now on a automobile that’s a lot decrease in Toyota’s SUV hierarchy.
So there you go, our first impressions of the Perodua D55L SUV, additionally identified by many because the Ativa. A lot greater than a “Myvi SUV”, it is a fully new stage for P2 by way of security, gear and surprisingly – driving efficiency. If earlier than, going for a Myvi over a Japanese B-segment automobile means you needed to sacrifice some refinement and powertrain sophistication, it now not appears to be the case with the Ativa. We’ll want an extended drive, however Perodua’s newest mannequin makes an excellent first impression.
PS: There’s extra in regards to the Ativa to be shared, together with pics, however solely driving impressions are allowed at this level – full specs and particulars should wait till the March 3 launch. Keep tuned.
Our protection of the 2021 Perodua Ativa D55L SUV
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