Ever since its launch, the 2022 Perodua Alza (D27A) has acquired many praises such as, the family mover, people carrier and budget MPV, to name a few.

It is the second ‘new generation model’ based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, and produced under the Perodua Smart Build concept, after the Ativa.

Locally-assembled (CKD), the new Alza D27A MPV comes in three variants. Base-trim Alza 1.5X is priced at MYR 62,500, mid-trim Alza 1.5H at MYR 68,000, and top-trim Alza 1.5AV at MYR 75,500.

These figures are on-the-road without insurance, and each purchase will secure a five-year or 150,000 km warranty, whichever comes first.

Five colours are available, e.g., Ivory White (solid), Glittering Silver, Elegant Black, Garnet Red and Vintage Brown. The latter two are exclusive for the H and AV trims.

Weighing in at 1,170 kg, the new Alza D27A stands at 4,425 mm long, 1,730 mm wide, 1,660 mm tall (+10mm – H/AV trims), and with a wheelbase spanning 2,750 mm.

It exudes a very low-slung, stocky and sporty exterior, with a front grille (Metallic Silver X/H – Chrome and Glossy Black AV) and bumper that is more sculptured, giving it a unique outlook.

Massive, the blocky hexagonal grille is very commanding, resting under a slit-like chrome strip, stretching across the middle from edge to edge.

Just like the front, the rear end’s design matches. It is simplistic with edgy contours that aids to its sporty appeal. 

It also features a chrome strip (H/AV) bridging the middle section of the tailgate. Plus, unlike before, the Alza script is now in a livelier design.

The headlamps are angularly shaped and have a very focused design. Standard in the X trim are LED units with Follow-Me Home and Leaving Home function. The H/AV trims add on auto headlamps and LED fog lamps.

A new design, the tail lamps are now horizontally placed, very sporty, slim and pointed. It comes with light guides.

The side mirrors are electric and manual retractable (X), and electric and auto retractable (H/AV). They have LED turn signals, and the AV adds on blind-spot indicators.

The X comes with 15-inch alloy rims wrapped in 185/65 Hankook Kinergy Eco2 tyres, while the H/AV comes with 16-inch two-tone alloys in 195/60 Toyo Proxes CR1 tyres.

The Alza D27A has a simple and minimalistic dashboard. The X trim gets a monotone design, the H trim adds on silver finishing, and the AV trim gets a dual-tone black and brown design. The dashboard is mostly made out of hard plastic, but the new design layout projects a rather premium appeal.

It features a 4.2-inch LCD multi-info analogue display (X), and seven-inch TFT multi-info digital display (H/AV).

The seven-seater, X variant features fabric upholstery, front armrest, height adjustable driver seat function, 60:40 split folding middle row seats with one-touch and slidable mechanism, and 50:50 split folding third row seats. The H variant adds on a second-row centre armrest, while the AV features and adds on a two-tone semi-leather upholstery and soft pad centre front armrest.

It offers plenty of head, shoulder and legroom thus front and rear occupants get ample space. The space is very generous due to the stocky and bulbous design of the body. 

It has numerous storage areas including large sized door pockets, compartmentalised storage areas in the centre console including a cavern storage space and a decent-sized glove box.

There are multiple cup holders. One behind the front centre console, one on each top side of the front doors, and a few others placed around the mid- and rear-cabin. E.g., doors’ armrest level and lower side door panel.

The X variant features one 12-V power socket in the rear console, and two USB ports in the rear cabin. The H/AV variants feature two 12-V power sockets, one in the rear console and one in the deck, and three USB ports, one in the front with charging capabilities and two in the rear. 

It has 137-litres of boot space, and up to 498-litres with the third-row seats folded down.

The Alza D27A features the Perodua Smart Drive Assist safety system, which includes the following:

• Advanced Safety Assist (ASA): Pre-Collision warning, Pre-Collision Braking, Pedal Misoperation Control and Front Departure Alert.

• Driving Assist: Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP). The AV variant adds on Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keep Control (LKC), and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM).

• Parking Assist: Rear corner sensor. The H variant adds on front corner sensor, and reverse camera. The AV variant adds a 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor (PVM), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

• Headlamp Assist: The X gets Auto High Beam (AHB), while the H/AV gets Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB).

Passive safety standard for all variants includes 6 airbags (front, side and curtain), seat belt anchors, reminders and pre-tensioners, ISOFIX with top tethers, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), and Hill-Start Assist (HSA). The AV variant adds on Integrated Digital Video Recorder (DVR)/dash cam, and solar and security window film.

There are three drive modes (H/AV) – Eco, Normal, and Power.

The X variant comes with a standard non-touchscreen infotainment unit, while the H and AV get a nine-inch touchscreen unit, with the AV adding wired Android Auto and AppleCarplay.

It features four speakers (front and rear) in the X variant, and six speakers (front, rear, tweeter) in the H and AV variants.

The Alza D27A harbours a 1.5L 2NR-VE, four-cylinder, DOHC EFI, Dual VVT-i with Eco Idle petrol engine, producing 78-kW/105 HP of output at 6,000 rpm and 138 NM of torque at 4,200 rpm.

It gets a D-CVT automatic transmission with manual mode.

All power is sent to the front wheels via a two-wheel drive system.

It has a fuel tank capacity of 43-litres and fuel consumption of 22 km/l (MDC) - 18.9 km/l (NEDC).

The Alza D27A comes with Smart Entry with Push Start/Stop engine button (keyless with remote control – X/ keyless with electrostatic touch sensor – H and AV), a multi-function steering wheel, steering with tilt adjustment, RFiD, digital air conditioning with rear air vents (2-way memory function), armrests (variant specific), height adjustable driver seat function, 60:40 split folding middle row seats with one-touch and slidable mechanism, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and auto headlamps.

There’s a rear air vent located at the centre, behind the front occupant’s arm rest.

It is very spacious and extremely comfortable, safe and suitable for a daily driver. Overall, the ride quality is firm, agile and very well-balanced. It has a smooth engine power and transmission delivery.

It has good sound insulation, covering all the NVH aspects, and there are no abnormal wind issues at any speed.