This is the 2017 Perodua Axia
facelift, the most affordable vehicle in Malaysia,
now enhanced since its initial release in 2014.
The changes are
minimal, but are more than skin deep. Under the bonnet, the 1KR-VE 1.0 litre
three-cylinder engine now gains VVT-i variable valve timing, as introduced on
the Bezza sedan last year.
Outputs are up 1 hp and 1 Nm to 67 hp at 6,000 rpm
and 91 Nm at 4,400 rpm, sent to the front wheels via the same five-speed manual
and four-speed automatic gearbox options as before. Perodua claims a fuel
consumption figure of up to 22.5 km per litre with the manual, up from the
current car’s 21.6 km per litre and just a hair under the Bezza’s 22.6 km per litre
figure with the 1.0 litre engine and manual gearbox.
Perodua has again gone for a
two-face approach, with the Standard and SE/Advance models having unique looks.
The Standard E and G get the pre-facelift SE/Advance model’s
projector headlamps, paired with a redesigned front grille (with a silver bar)
and bumper.
The side signal repeaters on the front fenders and
14-inch wheels (steel items on the Standard E, eight-spoke alloys on the
Standard G) remain unchanged, however, along with the Standard’s rear bumper
design and red taillights. A new addition is a tailgate handle, in place of an
external keyhole on pre-facelift models. GearUp bodykit options are available,
from RM 1,600.
The more expensive and sportier-styled Axia SE and
Advance models receive a more thorough makeover, with a brand new projector
headlamp design, chrome two-bar grille and a Honda Jazz-esque front bumper. The
foglamp housings now feature chrome highlights and faux carbon-fibre surrounds.
The SE/Advance gets wing
mirror-mounted LED signal repeaters (same as before), new “spiral design”
14-inch wheels from the Bezza Advance and chrome door handles with a keyless
entry button on the driver’s side. The sharper rear bumper and clear rear
lights go unchanged, but the tailgate handle gets a keyless entry button here
too.
Changes inside are less obvious. All models now get
Eco-drive Mode (including the base Standard E) and a revised instrument cluster
design, with white illumination on the SE and Advance; the sportier models also
receive a push start button (next to a new off switch for the front parking
sensors).
The Advance gains a new
touchscreen infotainment system with “Smart Link” screen mirroring for Android
phones (the SE retains a simple radio/CD head unit with Bluetooth, while the
Standard G omits the CD player). Other changes include new fabric seat designs
for Standard and SE models, as well as new grey (previously red) seat stitching
and piping and steering wheel stitching on the Advance model.
There’s no change on the safety front – electronic
stability control is still not available, but ABS is fitted on the Standard G
and above; standard dual front airbags net a four-star ASEAN NCAP rating.
Prices have been revised, now ranging from RM 24,900 to RM 42,900, with increases
of as much as RM 2,773 spec-by-spec. The optional GearUp accessories available too.
