Perodua Ativa Hybrid proprietor evaluation - subscriber shares ideas on CBU examine automotive, RM500/month plan

By Victor Kan

The Perodua Ativa Hybrid is lastly being delivered, and being one of many fortunate 300 subscribers, right here’s my private tackle the way it compares to the common turbo variant of the Ativa.

Having pushed the automotive for awhile each in painful KL visitors and on the freeway throughout states, I assume now can be an excellent time to do a hands-on introduction to our first nationwide hybrid automotive. OK, that seems like a stretch, as technically it is a Daihatsu Rocky eSmart Hybrid by means of and thru, however hey it carries the Perodua emblem, so let’s simply say it’s.

Wanting similar to the Ativa Turbo, the Hybrid will be distinguished by a number of variations when what to look out for. Let’s start on the entrance of the automotive, which carries a very completely different fascia. The grill is smaller and is an island, as a substitute of the wide-grinning grill that ties the headlamps collectively on the Turbo. The fog lamps are encompassed in a diamond-shaped black case and never the Perodua T-shaped case. This creates a much less aggressive entrance search for the Hybrid – I’ll go so far as calling it cute.

Transferring on to the perimeters, one other distinction that juts out – and this isn’t one thing the Ativa Turbo can simply convert to – is the five-lug wheels. The Ativa Turbo makes use of four-lug wheels. The aspect mirrors are additionally of various sizes, with the Hybrid having barely smaller ones; and in the event you look to the passenger aspect, the aspect mirror comes with a really JDM-looking curb mirror. The Hybrid rides a bit of decrease than the Ativa Turbo, however in actual life, it isn’t noticeable, until you could have them parked side-by-side.

As for the rear, how do you inform if the Ativa in entrance of you is a Hybrid? First, the ATIVA emblem on the tailgate isn’t accompanied by the rest. No AV or H badges right here, simply ATIVA. Then, trying on the bumpers, the housing for the reflectors are – like those in entrance – formed like rotated diamonds as a substitute of Perodua’s T form. Additionally, in the event you look carefully on the driver aspect of the bumpers, you’d see a rear fog lamp. And as a bonus, the quantity plate bracket is tiny, because it adheres to Japanese plate dimensions, not Malaysia’s.

Talking of the rear, do you know that the Hybrid has a full plastic tailgate? This had my mates asking “is it protected?”. Effectively, it’d higher be, seeing that plastic is the tailgate materials of selection for a lot of newer automobiles in Japan. The upside of plastic is clear – weight discount. However don’t fear, it’s fairly robust and strong – this isn’t the identical plastic used to make these flimsy cutlery that comes with our nasi lemak.

Transferring inside and into the motive force’s seat, you’d instantly really feel that the inside has a relatively muted air to it. Gone are the blaring crimson discovered all through the seats, door trim, AC vents and dashboard – as a substitute, you’re greeted by a black, gray and silver themed cabin.

Now, relying in your age and preferences, you’ll both prefer it or hate it. I personally prefer it as I’ve at all times appreciated much less “sporty” trying interiors for automobiles of such calibre. Maybe this opinion will change after I can lastly personal a Bugatti Veyron. However till that day comes, I’d like a humble trying inside to match my humble little trip.

There’s onerous plastic surfaces throughout, just like the Ativa Turbo we’re conversant in by now, however I’m glad Perodua determined to not skimp on essentially the most fundamental of trim right here. You will discover gentle leathery surfaces on all of the locations that matter – on the steering wheel, gear knob, elbow rests, and in addition on the semi-fabric seats and headrests.

The centre console has been fully redesigned, because the Hybrid makes use of an digital parking brake (EPB) as a substitute of the normal handbrake. This has allowed a pair of big cup holders to be added. Coupled with the EPB is an auto brake maintain button. This has spoiled me and I’ve been feeling lazier the extra I exploit the automotive! Extra on that later.

The Hybrid retains the usual Rocky auto local weather management with twin round knobs. I really feel that this seems to be extra at house with the remainder of the inside, together with the dual round controls on the steering wheel, in addition to the steering centre hub. However once more, that is private style. Lacking can be the reminiscence perform discovered on the AC controls from Perodua.

That mentioned, I discover the auto local weather management a lot simpler to make use of, because it’s a set-once-and-forget resolution, so regardless of whether it is throughout a sizzling day, or a chilly evening, the AC would routinely alter itself to the temperature we set. Actually, it may well blow sizzling air too if required. As a bonus, there are seat heaters for the entrance seats, however I don’t assume we’ll ever want them in our heat local weather.

The trunk is essentially the identical, however you gained’t discover a full-sized spare wheel beneath the board. As an alternative, the auxiliary battery is there, together with some hidden compartments. So what do you do in the event you get a flat tyre? A tyre restore equipment (mainly an electrical pump) is hidden away on the wall for that. I do like this so much, as I relatively not get my palms and garments soiled, and would simply re-inflate the flat tyre so I can drive to the closest restore store. Extra automobiles ought to go along with this course in the event you ask me. And the Hybrid has LED footwell lights, which come on routinely at any time when the headlamps are on – beautiful! (DT: Ativa AV has footwell lighting too)

What in regards to the precise driving expertise? This can be a hybrid powertrain in any case. However with so many varieties available in the market now, which type of hybrid is that this? To greatest clarify it, this automotive works just about like a full EV however minus the vary anxiousness related to them.

How? The reply lies within the Hybrid label, as a result of this automotive additionally has an everyday petrol engine inside. Now right here’s the great thing about this design. The 1.2L petrol engine is there solely as an electrical energy generator. It runs to generate electrical energy to energy the electrical motor (and cost the battery) that truly strikes the automotive. So no CVT transmission in right here guys, only a good ol’ electrical motor.

Press the accelerator pedal and off the automotive goes with that signature clean, instantaneous and torquey push from standstill, similar to an EV must be! When the 1.2L petrol engine isn’t on, the automotive may be very silent and nonetheless. It feels as if the automotive hasn’t even been began. The air con system can be powered electrically, which is logical.

The Ativa Hybrid is supplied with an S-Pedal driving mode by default. You possibly can change it off in the event you need. Because the title implies, that is single-pedal operation the place you’ll be able to transfer and cease the automotive utilizing only one pedal, with out requiring using the brake pedal. The brake is just used when you want to make an abrupt cease.

One other main enchancment in comparison with the Turbo can be the addition of the EPB and auto brake maintain. It permits the automotive to maintain itself stopped till you’re prepared to maneuver once more, with out having to make use of the handbrake each single time. Very useful for metropolis stop-and-go visitors situations. One other improved function is the Adaptive Cruise Management (ACC). Due to the EPB, the Ativa Hybrid can carry out low pace auto-follow (a part of the ACC) from an entire standstill. This was not attainable on the Ativa Turbo.

Bear in mind after I mentioned I’ve gotten lazier the extra I exploit the automotive? That’s as a result of my limbs are transferring so much much less throughout driving. My left hand is at all times on the steering wheel, even within the metropolis, because the EPB and auto brake maintain does its job completely. No extra fumbling to shift into N, no extra pulling and releasing the handbrake stick on the visitors lights. And with the S-Pedal, my proper foot hardly ever strikes away from the accelerator pedal too. I’m starting to really feel like a sofa potato – in a automotive seat!

All the things sounds good and dandy up to now, however let’s get to the cons, or issues that might have been improved. For starters, some options have been faraway from the unique Rocky Hybrid, and in addition lacking when in comparison with the Ativa Turbo.

The 110V emergency electrical outlet that may be discovered within the trunk of the Rocky Hybrid has been eliminated. I used to be actually trying ahead to have the ability to use the automotive as a mini-camper, however now I must deliver alongside an exterior energy provide as a substitute. Additionally eliminated is the Rocky’s head-unit, being changed with an everyday unit just like the one discovered within the Ativa Turbo. This successfully additionally removes Apple Carplay, Android Auto, quantity management on the steering wheels, and most painfully, the reverse digicam. Additionally, blind spot monitoring is lacking. Unhappy, however it’s what it’s.

So with the automotive evaluation achieved, what do I consider Perodua’s leasing mannequin? Though your title does seem within the automobile’s grant and insurance coverage, these tremendous restricted 300 items of Ativa Hybrids are technically leased, not bought. The fee is RM2,150 upfront with a recurring RM500 a month for 60 months.

Now, opposite to what some would possibly assume – no, you aren’t eligible simply because you could have RM500 to spare every month. Each potential lessee is correctly screened by means of, similar to the way it works if somebody had been to take out an everyday rent buy mortgage. I assume that Perodua wants the peace of thoughts understanding that they gained’t have to alter lessees half-way by means of the programme.

All common servicing, repairs, put on and tear elements, insurance coverage and street tax are absolutely lined by Perodua, so the lessee solely must pay for petrol. And this automotive is predicted to run frugal too, with a claimed mileage of 31 km/l. No, I haven’t been in a position to attain that, but it surely isn’t that far off, in order that’s superb sufficient for me. The catch is the mileage cap of 100,000 km and that you just can not make modifications to the automotive by any means. For individuals who simply desire a enjoyable to drive and frugal automotive to get from level A to B, that is positively a steal.

UPDATE: Proprietor has been averaging 21 km/l over the primary 1,000 km

I’m utilizing the Ativa Hybrid as my predominant automobile for work commutes within the Klang Valley, and I’m loving it. The automotive is just not too massive, has a excessive driver POV, feels nimble and has a small turning radius – excellent for weaving round in visitors. Better of all, it runs like an EV, so in addition to being tremendous quiet, it additionally strikes very effortlessly with the numerous stop-and-go moments in visitors jams.

The automotive’s total construct high quality has been nice; being a CBU from Japan could have lent quite a lot of credence to that. It doesn’t appear to endure from the power points that appear to plague the Ativa Turbo, as discovered on web teams.

The most important draw back of possession up to now can be the lonely isolation from everybody else. There hasn’t been quite a lot of boards solely devoted to the Ativa/Rocky/Raize Hybrid. So getting help and asking questions particular to the hybrid could get you nowhere – hopefully this may change within the close to future as Ativa/Rocky/Raize Hybrid possession will increase each domestically and globally.

GALLERY: Perodua Ativa Hybrid, proprietor’s photographs

GALLERY: Perodua Ativa Hybrid

GALLERY: Daihatsu Rocky e:Sensible Hybrid

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