EVERYTHING comes with a price, and good things, as the saying goes, don't come cheap. And that's the talking point with the 2023 Axia.
As many can tell, the new model has a minor price bump from its predecessor. It happens with new models from all brands but it is a hike that may or may not be a significant issue depending on your economic standing and buying power.
This is because the Axia is positioned as the economical entry-level to car ownership, inheriting a spot where the Kancil and Kelisa once stood, and so any major swing in pricing raises an eyebrow.
What happens when the A-segment compact car is no longer one of Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn
Bhd's (Perodua) most affordable models? The answer lies in what you're getting with the car for what you're paying.
It takes understanding Perodua's proposition to appreciate its entirety. Once you do, it is easy to understand why the car is certified gold.
THE A-GAME
The 2023 Axia comes in four variants of G, X, SE and AV, with each priced (without insurance and in Peninsular Malaysia) at RM38,600, RM40,000, RM44,000 and RM49,500, respectively.
The model is built on the new Daihatsu New Global Architecture platform, making it the third Perodua model to do so after the Ativa and the 2023 Alza.
All variants come with vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution, hill start assist and the Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA).
They are equipped with a one-litre engine paired to a new dual-mode continuously various transmission that delivers 67hp at 6,000rpm and 91Nm of maximum torque at 4,400rpm.
The SE and AV variants also come with power-mode and LED daylight running lights.
Exclusive to the AV variant is a 7.0-inch TFT (Thin-Film transistor) multi-info display, a 9.0-inch display audio, two-tone semi-leather seats and six airbags.
The new model is said to be able to reach 27.4km/litre of petrol, based on the new Malaysian driving cycle mode, or 23.2km/litre if measured by the New European Driving Cycle standard.
This compares with the current Axia's 21.6km/litre.
The new Axia is available in five colour options, which are Granite Grey, Lava Red, Glittering Silver, Ivory White and the new Coral Blue.
SAFETY FIRST
Let us do away with the negatives first. You're going to be disappointed if you're expecting the car to power through the streets and highways beyond what a standard 1.0-litre engine is capable of.
The engine can get rather noisy when you're flooring the pedal. Again, this is what the Axia has always been.
It's the main issue that has divided Malaysians when it comes to the new model. Why aren't we getting a more powerful engine along with the price increase?
For comparison, the new Toyota Agya in Indonesia, the sibling car to the Axia, comes with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine. The Daihatsu Ayla also has a 1.2-litre option in addition to the 1.0-litre engine similar to the one in Axia. Perhaps, we'll get to see it in a more premium Axia variant?
I said earlier how the price hike may be an issue. We're looking at an estimated jump of RM4,000 to RM5,000 over the previous model. This puts the car closer to the price range of the B-segment Myvi.
The highest-spec Myvi AV, which comes with a 1.5-litre engine, costs only about RM10,000 more than the Axia AV.
Understandably, the Axia has always been positioned for the budget conscious and an increase by a few thousand ringgit is always going to feel substantial. But many also wouldn't mind topping up and get a seemingly better car if the prices are not that much different.
The thing about the 2023 Axia is that raw performance has taken a backseat, with the car shining the most for its safety and practicality.
It is slightly bigger (wider but shorter than the previous model while leaning very closely to the Myvi's size) and looks way better than the previous model (most impressively, it was designed locally). The modern X-face design shares its traits with the Ativa and new Alza.
It comes with a whole host of advance driver safety features that was available only in pricier car models up to a year ago.
The interior, especially in the AV variant, is designed to be way more premium than an A-segment car would normally be.
The quality is good enough that it can give certain B-segment cars a run for their money. Arguably, it looks even better than the latest Myvi AV's interior.
Don't let the numbers game fool you either. While the engine isn't something to shout about, the new DNGA platform and D-CVT transmission gives the car a much more controlled and smoother drive experience.
This isn't obvious initially until you take the car around bends and during short bursts of controlled acceleration.
Fuel consumption is another area it excels in.
Going from Rawang to Glenmarie in heavy rain and a two-hour traffic jam, a chore-filled weekend drive around Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, and back to Rawang on the fourth day used up only two out of the eight fuel bars.
That comes on top of leaving the car running on a number of my excursions and being constantly in the Power mode.
And as far as personal taste goes, the new Coral Blue option is simply gorgeous and easy on the eyes.
VERDICT
Perodua's focus with the model is clearly to update it with a modern design, safety, comfort and fuel economy. This is easier said than done when the plan is to also have as many advance driving assist systems (or PSDA for the Axia) as well as safety features.
Yes, it is a tad pricier but the package of advance systems available supersedes anything the other models in this segment offer. The car effectively sets a new bar for the A-segment and entry level vehicles.
Malaysians love talking about performance but not enough about safety, the latter which I believe we stand to benefit more from.
The premium build interior and drive feel is also equally impressive. If not for the loud 1.0-litre engine as a giveaway, the model could have easily slip into the B-segment category.
For now, it has relinquished its crown as the most affordable model in Perodua's lineup to the Bezza. But all things considered, this puts the Axia in a new elevated position.
By design, I have never been fond of the A-segment category nor thought of wanting an Axia until now. It looks good, is practical and is just a really fun compact car.
For those still arguing the higher prices, my argument is that you can get the best of the Myvi, sans its engine, for RM10,000 less. That's how good the 2023 Axia AV is.