Perodua’s Alza “test drive”
I am not in the market of looking for new car, but happened to test drove the newly launched, Pedordua’s Alza for a brief moment.
The Alza is very similar to Avanza in many ways: 1.5L engine, 5+2 seats, assembled in Perodua etc.
I’ve been driving a Avanza 1.3 for many years (weekend car), so I am going to list down the “immediate impression” while driving on Alza vs Avanza instead.
The test drive modal was a Alza Advanced Version, which featuring some additional body kits, leather seat and GPS navigator (doesn’t look “integrated”).
- we have 3 adults (2 with standard BMI, but the 3rd one definitely out of shape), 2 children in the car, the pick-up was ok, but slightly lag compare to Avanza.
- driver position is lower compare to Avanza, more stable and confident on cornering.
- engine noise was almost not audible in the cabin. Unless I rev it up over 3000 rpm.
- throttler wasn’t as responsive as Avanza, the gear switching gets very confuse when I stepped down and let go randomly and quickly.
- ride comfort was definitely way much better than Avanza. Avanza basically connect your entire body to the road surface, despite the fact that you are sitting higher up from the road. The Alza extra equipments on suspension and longer wheel based definitely helps.
- Avanza is more responsive in low speed cruising, although I believe Alza should do better while cruising on the highway (we didn’t manage to go onto highway).
There wasn’t any urge for us to replace Avanza with Alza, as we think the Avanza is a better workhorse. The ride comfort is a big plus, specially for long distance traveling. Avanza cabin seems larger, and easier for the 3rd row passenger to get in and out.
I believe Alza will eat into the Avanza sales for sure, as both vehicle offer similar functionalities, with Alza on lower price range.
Although it has only one set of blower at the front panel, it is really strong and “windy” – strongest in all the cars that I know.
I will pick the Exora manual transmission version if I am in the MPV market, and Alza if I am in the sedan market – forget the 3rd row seat on Alza, you get a pretty decent 5 persons wagon on the run.
