Render: Is It High-Time For An Updated Perodua Ativa?

Renowned local automotive digital render artist Theophilus Chin @ Theottle is at it again. Earlier this week, the self-styled ‘fudger’ of cars gave us his vision of a ‘face-lifted’ Perodua Ativa. This then prompted us to ponder a key question – is Perodua’s best-selling compact crossover due for an update?

Chin (@Theottle) 'borrowed' plenty of cues from the Toyota Crown Sport hybrid when rendering his vision of a face-lifted Ativa. Though convincing and tasty, this remains a pipe dream for now...

As per his norm, Chin’s latest work sees him taking liberal ‘inspiration’ from an unrelated model – in this case, the Toyota Crown Sport hybrid sporty crossover. Retaining the Ativa’s original glass house, Chin’s render sees the Ativa taking on a totally new and sportier front and rear fascia.

Chin doesn’t digress into the decision for which, but given how Daihatsu models tend to have similar sporty optional variants and accessories offered on their models as how parent Toyota does with its GR Sport package models, this is perhaps a sound choice to say the least.

Proper side-by-side comparo of Chin's render (right) and the Ativa in its current form (left).

Overall, the outlook of this Ativa Facelift imagined by Chin doesn’t seem far-fetch, but it remains a pipe-dream for now. In reality, we are likely to expect the Ativa’s refresh to be perhaps more modest, evident through Perodua’s efforts refreshing both the third-gen Myvi hatch and Bezza sedan.

Back to the original question at hand, perhaps it is not wrong for many to think that it is perhaps timely for the popular Rawang-built compact crossover SUV based on the Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize to undergo a refresh.

A look at how both the Bezza (top two) and Myvi (bottom) models were refreshed by Perodua. In reality, expect the Ativa to get a similarly 'restraint' treatment should it be refreshed any time soon.

The Perodua Ativa first debuted back in 2021 whilst the country – and the world – was still in the midst of mass vaccination drives plus on and off lockdowns. Being based on the Daihatsu/Toyota twin mentioned meant that the Ativa benefitted from pretty solid underpinnings – the DNGA platform.

At launch, some even dubbed it as ‘Rawang’s Finest Hour’. Key drivers behind which were its presentation as a desirable compact crossover that was both affordably priced and, at the same time, uncompromised by said bargain basement status – arguably a first for P2.

The current Perodua Ativa in mid-specced H grade pictured. Today, it stands as a top-seller Perodua, perhaps seconded only by the smaller and more affordably-priced Bezza compact sedan.

We also reckon its status as Perodua’s first mass-produced turbocharged model drove its popularity. Nonetheless, we reckon the earlier reasons stated, as well as the Ativa’s proven respectable drive dynamics and frugal efficiency, were the real reasons behind its immense popularity.

For now, the Ativa remains unchanged as is. The only exception were the 300-unit batch of Japan-built hybrid-powered special variant that Perodua imported for a special leasing program that doubled up as a consumer study. 

The current range-topping AV-grade of the Ativa. Should it be refreshed anytime soon, what would you like Perodua to tweak or change?

And given that neither its Daihatsu- or Toyota-badged twins have NOT been given a refresh yet, we reckon it will be a while before P2’s top-seller gets treated with one too.

On that note, what would you like Perodua to tweak or improve on in the Ativa? Share your take in the comments below…