Review: 2023 Perodua Axia AV – Perodua’s New Supermini, Now Bigger, Better, & Pricier

The Perodua Axia continues the legacy of the nation’s second automaker's most important vehicle segment that was kick-started by the iconic Kancil. From then, Perodua’s superminis has always been a staple in any roads across the country, while providing a living proof that you can make a livable, dependable car in a much smaller footprint, at a dirt cheap cost.

However, what seems to be a fool-proof formula had unintentionally brought up an unpleasant reputation to any of Perodua’s superminis. As the automaker’s cheapest offering, the majority of Perodua’s A-segment hatches lack modern amenities, often feeling very bare-boned compared to models from other segments.

Fortunately, things might change once and for all in this latest supermini hailed from Perodua’s Rawang plant. The second coming of Perodua Axia sees the marque stepping up to the challenge by creating a truly modern car that is still relatively affordable for the masses. Now bigger, bolder, and slightly pricier, the all-new 2023 Perodua Axia D74A promises to pick things up higher from where its predecessor left off.

After a full-week of testing and driving the range-topping 2023 Perodua Axia AV, we are certain that Perodua’s supermini's future is in safe hands indeed. Allow us to digress…

OVERVIEW

The D74A generation Axia completes Perodua’s DNGA-based trio that comprises of the 7-seater Alza, as well as the Ativa compact crossover. The underpinning of Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) grants the new Axia with a higher degree of safety, tech, and improvements in the overall driving experience, while providing a bigger footprint to this super-compact hatch.

Now 115 MM longer, 45 MM wider and 5 MM lower, the new Axia’s overall growth over its predecessor grants it a 2,525 MM long wheelbase – which is longer than its up-segment sibling, the Perodua Myvi (2,500 MM).

Visually, the new Axia, especially in this top-spec AV variant, looks rather handsome. The addition of gloss black bodykit, as well as the presence of auto LED headlights – which apparently borrowed from the two DNGA twins – gives a much more premium and sporty feel to the car’s exterior look, while retaining the compact hatch silhouette.

Though we acknowledge that looks can be a subjective matter, we think that the new Axia is successful in elevating Perodua’s supermini looks and design, while still being relatively attainable.

ON THE INSIDE

With a longer wheelbase, the second-gen Axia boasts a roomier cabin space. The car now can seat five adults comfortably, and even if you’re a sub-six-footer adult, there’s ample legroom and headspace for you to ‘breathe’ on.

In its up-specced AV form, the Axia’s cabin oozes with modern amenities, headlined by the 9-inch infotainment unit and 7-inch TFT driver’s display – both borrowed from the Ativa. There’s also a digital panel for the climate control that sits beside the keyless engine start/stop button, which also features keyless entry.

Charging, however, can be quite a hassle, as the Axia only comes with a single 12 V power socket, plus a USB-A port for the infotainment system.

Although the cabin still features hard-touch materials, the AV variant sports plush semi leather/fabric seats, finished in two-tone black and red, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel with white stitching and multiple driving and media controls.

Though we’d argue that many of you will bark over the lack of Android Auto & Apple CarPlay support for the infotainment system, it is safe to say that the AV variant features an unprecedented level of amenities offered in this segment, let alone at this price. And fortunately, things are getting better from here…

DRIVING

Perodua still employs the 1.0-litre 3-cyl petrol mill carried over from the previous-gen Axia. Still outputting 67 HP and 91 NM, this ol’ reliable mill is now mated with a D-CVT automatic gearbox, ditching the ancient 4AT for good.

The new gearbox grants the Axia with both Sport and Breaking gear shift modes, the former being handy during takeovers, while the latter is useful during downhill. This, alongside the new Power Mode, provides drivers with ample choice of driving modes, even with this ‘old’ 3-cyl engine.

This new setup delivers a smoother and better performance, although at higher RPMs, the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) suppression level can be quite daunting. With the bulk-up only garners the new Axia a 30 KG weight increase, the presence of the new gearbox, paired with the magic of DNGA platform, the Axia manages to outperform the model it replaces, albeit running on the same engine.

Perodua’s decision to underpin the new Axia with the DNGA platform proved to be the best thing about this car yet, as it now drives and handles way better than the old-gen model. The chassis’s superb performance, aided by the presence of Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and traction control system truly boosted your confidence in manoeuvring this supermini.

SAFETY

Within its segment, the new Perodua Axia AV stands up way above the rest in the safety department, offering a never-to-be-seen level of safety features, both active and passive.

To boot, the AV variant comes equipped with six airbags, with two of them placed inside the front seats, rear ISOFIX child seat anchor, as well as ABS with EBD, aside from the traction and stability control suites mentioned earlier. Also unique to the new Axia is the seat belt reminder display not only for the front passengers, but also for all three back seats as well.

The range-topping Axia is also not lacking in the active safety front, boasting Perodua ASA 3.0 active safety suite. This suite offers advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features like Pre-Collision Warning & Braking, Lane Keep Assist (LKA) with Steering Correction, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), and even Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

Simply put, the new Axia AV carries over quite a lot of safety features from its bigger DNGA siblings, but at a lower price point..

RUNNING COST AND RELIABILITY

Perodua's decision to employ the same 1.0-litre 3-cyl engine instead of the peppier turbocharged 1.0-litre from the Ativa turns out to be a crucial economical move. 

Not only does it provide the new Axia with better fuel economy, but the trusty 3-cyl engine also enables it to remain relatively affordable for the masses, albeit still priced higher than the previous model. Besides, Perodua has been using this same engine for quite some time, thus proving its reliability and capability in the long run.

If anything ever happens to your new Axia’s engine, Perodua’s 5-year or 150,000 KM warranty coverage should at least provide you with a little peace of mind.

On the fuel economy front, Perodua claims the new Axia can do up to 24.7 KM/L (or 3.7 L/100 KM), while engaging on the ECO IDLE start-stop mode. However, throughout our week-long test, we only managed to achieve about 14.1 KM/L – which is understandable considering the fact that we only managed to cover around 400 KM of total distance while driving in an urban landscape.

Nevertheless, this supermini from Perodua still promises the best fuel economy in its segment, with almost no compromise on its performance.

SHOULD YOU BUY ONE?

With all the new and improved features offered, the range-topping 2023 Perodua Axia AV is now more expensive than the base-spec Myvi, clocking in at RM49,500 sans insurance. In fact, it is even costlier than the ADAS-equipped Myvi 1.3 G, which priced at RM48,500.

This full-blown Axia managed to be within touch of the RM50,000 mark, thanks to a slew of cost-cutting measures. Notably, Perodua has omitted the rear windscreen defogger (the stripe-y thing on most cars’ rear windscreen), apart from recycling the same old 14-inch alloy wheels from the previous-gen models.

As we mentioned earlier, the absence of mobile connectivity support on the infotainment system might not be an absolute dealbreaker, but having so may help in justifying the relatively steep price of the car.

Just like other Perodua superminis before, the Axia’s target demographic is and will always be first-time car buyers. With the range-topping Axia seemed a little out of reach for them, perhaps their best bet is to go for the lower trim levels, notably the SE or X variants.

All in all, if you don’t mind spending a bit more just to have the latest and safest features in a smaller footprint and (subjectively) better-looking package, then the 2023 Axia AV is the car for you. If you’re looking for something more economical and roomier at this price point, consider going one segment above and opt for the Myvi instead, or just wait for the next-gen Bezza – Axia’s saloon twin – to come out, sooner or later.

SPECIFICATIONS