Zakirin
The Perodua Alza (RM 62,500 to RM 75,500) is built on the modern Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA-B) platform, featuring a 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine (106 PS / 138 Nm), a Dual-Mode CVT (D-CVT), 6 standard airbags, an Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold, and full Level 2 semi-autonomous ADAS (Adaptive Cruise Control & Lane Keep Control) at an accessible price. The Mitsubishi Xpander (RM 99,980 to RM 109,980) presents a bold, crossover-styled 7-seater MPV with an imposing Dynamic Shield front face, a commanding 205 mm to 225 mm ground clearance, a 1.5-litre MIVEC engine (105 PS / 141 Nm) paired with a heavy-duty 4-speed automatic, tilt and telescopic steering, and a plush, high-travel suspension setup.
Quick Verdict:
- Choose the Perodua Alza (1.5 AV) if:You want maximum active safety (6 airbags and full Level 2 ADAS with Adaptive Cruise Control), superior fuel economy (5.3 L/100 km), Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold, 360-degree camera, and exceptional value for money while saving RM 24,000 to RM 34,000.
- Choose the Mitsubishi Xpander if:You prioritize high ground clearance (up to 225 mm) for rough roads and flash floods, a larger and taller cabin body, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, a rugged 4-speed automatic gearbox, and a plush, bump-absorbing suspension ride.
💰 Estimated Monthly Ownership Breakdown
| Cost & Ownership Factor | Perodua Alza (1.5 X / 1.5 H / 1.5 AV) | Mitsubishi Xpander (1.5L / 1.5L Plus) |
| Price (OTR w/o Insurance, Peninsular) | RM 62,500 (X) / RM 68,000 (H) / RM 75,500 (AV) | RM 99,980 (Base) / RM 109,980 (Plus) |
| Standard Manufacturer Warranty | 5 Years / 150,000 km | 5 Years / Unlimited Mileage |
| Estimated 5-Year Maintenance Cost | ~RM 2,800 – RM 3,300 (Perodua ProCare Schedule) | ~RM 3,500 – RM 4,100 (Mitsubishi Service Schedule) |
| Annual Road Tax (Peninsular MY) | RM 90 – RM 120 (1,496 cc) | RM 90 – RM 120 (1,499 cc) |
| Claimed Fuel Consumption | 5.3 L/100 km (~18.9 km/L with Eco Idle) | ~7.1 L/100 km (~14.1 km/L) |
| Ground Clearance | 150 mm (X) / 160 mm (H & AV) | 205 mm – 225 mm |
| Luggage Space (Boot) | 137 Litres (498L with 3rd row folded flat) | ~150 Litres (495L with 3rd row folded flat) |
| Est. Monthly Loan (9-Yr @ 3.0%–3.5%) | ~RM 660/mo (X) / ~RM 720/mo (H) / ~RM 800/mo (AV) | ~RM 1,020/mo (Base) / ~RM 1,125/mo (Plus) |
📊 Comprehensive Specification Comparison
| Feature / Spec | Perodua Alza (1.5 AV) | Mitsubishi Xpander (1.5L Plus) |
| Segment / Body Style | 7-Seater B-Segment Compact MPV | 7-Seater B-Segment Crossover MPV |
| Underpinning Platform | Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA-B) | Mitsubishi Reinforced B-Platform |
| Assembly | CKD (Local Assembly, Rawang, Malaysia) | CKD (Local Assembly, Pekan, Malaysia) |
| Engine Type | 1.5L 4-Cylinder 16V DOHC Dual VVT-i (2NR-VE) | 1.5L 4-Cylinder 16V DOHC MIVEC (4A91) |
| Displacement | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Transmission Type | Dual-Mode CVT (D-CVT) with Manual Mode | 4-Speed Conventional Automatic (4E-AT) |
| Drivetrain Layout | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Drive Modes | Eco, Normal, Power | Normal / O/D Off |
| Max Power Output | 106 PS (105 hp / 78 kW) @ 6,000 RPM | 105 PS (104 hp / 77 kW) @ 6,000 RPM |
| Max Torque | 138 Nm @ 4,200 RPM | 141 Nm @ 4,000 RPM |
| 0–100 km/h Acceleration | ~11.5 seconds | ~13.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | ~175 km/h | ~165 km/h |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 4,425 mm x 1,730 mm x 1,670 mm | 4,475 mm x 1,750 mm x 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,775 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160 mm | 205 mm – 225 mm (+45 mm to +65 mm taller) |
| Turning Radius | 5.0 metres | 5.2 metres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 43 Litres | 45 Litres |
| Wheels & Tyres | 16-inch Two-Tone Alloys (195/60 R16) | 16-inch or 17-inch Two-Tone Alloys (205/55 R17) |
| Steering Column Adjustment | Tilt Only (Up / Down) | Tilt & Telescopic (Reach & Rake) |
| Parking Brake | Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold | Traditional Handbrake Lever (or EPB on late facelift) |
| Climate Control | Digital Air-Con with Memory Presets | Manual Air-Con with Roof-Mounted Rear Blower |
| Infotainment Display | 9.0-inch Touchscreen (Wired Apple CarPlay & AA) | 9.0-inch Touchscreen (Wired Apple CarPlay & AA) |
| Instrument Cluster | 7.0-inch TFT Multi-Info Digital Display | 4.2-inch High-Contrast Colour MID with Analog Dials |
| Parking Camera | 360-Degree Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) | Around View Monitor (360 Camera on Plus) |
| Airbags | 6 SRS Airbags (Front, Side, Curtain) | 2 SRS Airbags (Driver & Front Passenger) |
| Active Safety (VSC / TRC / HSA) | Standard across all trims | Standard (ASC, TCL, HSA, ABS, EBD, BA) |
| ADAS Safety Suite | Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA Level 2) | Not Equipped (No ADAS / No AEB) |
⚡ Key Differences Breakdown
🚗 Powertrain, Gearbox & Fuel Efficiency
- Perodua Alza: Uses the 1.5-litre 2NR-VE Dual VVT-i engine (106 PS / 138 Nm) paired with an Akashi Kikai Dual-Mode CVT (D-CVT). The split-gear mechanism switches to a direct gear drive at highway cruising speeds, keeping engine RPM low and delivering superior fuel economy (5.3 L/100 km).
- Mitsubishi Xpander: Uses a 1.5-litre 4A91 MIVEC engine (105 PS / 141 Nm) paired with a traditional 4-speed torque-converter automatic. While the 4AT offers proven simplicity and high mechanical durability for heavy loads, it revs higher at 110 km/h on expressways and consumes more fuel (~7.1 L/100 km).
🎨 Body Stance, Ground Clearance & Space Modularity
- Perodua Alza: Built with a traditional low-slung MPV profile (1,670 mm height) and 160 mm ground clearance. This provides a lower center of gravity with reduced body lean through corners, as well as a lower step-in height that allows young children and elderly passengers to enter effortlessly.
- Mitsubishi Xpander: Adopts a rugged SUV-inspired stance measuring longer (4,475 mm), wider (1,750 mm), and taller (1,730 mm). With 205 mm to 225 mm of ground clearance, it easily clears high roadside kerbs, steep basement ramps, unpaved gravel roads, and flood-prone city streets. It also features practical underfloor storage trays in the rear boot.
🛋️ Cabin Tech, Safety Features & ADAS Architecture
- Perodua Alza (1.5 AV): Leads decisively in active and passive safety. It features 6 airbags (front, side, curtain) and full Level 2 Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA): Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, Lane Keep Control (LKC), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). It also includes an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold and a full 7-inch digital driver display.
- Mitsubishi Xpander: Provides a functional, spacious cabin with a 9-inch touchscreen, roof-mounted rear air vents with 4-speed blower control, and tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment. However, it is held back by passive and active safety limitations: it comes with only 2 front airbags and lacks any modern ADAS features (no autonomous braking, lane departure warning, or radar cruise control).
🌟 3 Things We Love
Perodua Alza
- Unrivalled Safety & Level 2 ADAS Under RM 76k: Standard 6 airbags across all trims and full Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Keep Control on the AV make long-distance North-South Expressway journeys effortless and safe.
- Outstanding D-CVT Fuel Economy: Easily averages 18.9 km/L (5.3 L/100 km), delivering significantly lower monthly petrol expenses than 4-speed rivals.
- Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold: Eliminates foot fatigue during heavy stop-and-go city traffic jams at traffic lights.
Mitsubishi Xpander
- High 205 mm – 225 mm Ground Clearance: Provides exceptional peace of mind when crossing flash-flood water patches, high speed bumps, and rough suburban terrain.
- Plush, Heavy-Duty Suspension Ride: The shock absorber damping (derived from Lancer Evolution rally valving) glides over potholes and broken Malaysian roads with superior composure.
- Telescopic Steering Adjustment: Allows drivers of all body heights to pull the steering wheel back and find a comfortable, fatigue-free driving position.
⚠️ 2 Things That Need Work
Perodua Alza
- Tilt-Only Steering Adjustment: The lack of telescopic reach adjustment forces taller drivers to sit closer to the pedals than desired.
- Low 160 mm Ground Clearance: The lower ride height requires extra caution when driving over high kerbs, steep drainage humps, or flooded roads.
Mitsubishi Xpander
- Capped at Only 2 Airbags & No ADAS: Lacking side/curtain airbags and basic autonomous emergency braking (AEB) feels outdated for an MPV priced between RM 100k and RM 110k.
- Steep Price Premium & Dated 4-Speed Auto: Costing RM 24,000 to RM 34,000 more than the Alza while utilizing an older 4-speed automatic that revs higher and drinks more fuel on the highway.
🏁 Buying Conclusion
The Perodua Alza (especially the 1.5 AV) is the undisputed value, safety, and efficiency champion. Priced at RM 75,500, it delivers the full package: 6 airbags, complete Level 2 semi-autonomous ADAS (Adaptive Cruise Control & Lane Centering), an Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold, 360-degree cameras, and outstanding 18.9 km/L fuel efficiency. For family road trips and daily urban commuting, the Alza provides modern safety and technology while saving you over RM 24,000 to RM 34,000 in upfront cost.
The Mitsubishi Xpander remains the vehicle of choice for buyers who demand SUV road presence, high ground clearance, and rugged simplicity. Priced from RM 99,980 to RM 109,980, its 205–225 mm ride height, plush long-travel suspension, and telescopic steering make it exceptionally well-suited for rural roads, flood-prone areas, and rough estate driving. However, if your driving is primarily on city roads and highways, the Alza’s class-leading active safety suite, modern D-CVT, and significantly lower monthly installments make it the smarter buy.
