TEST DRIVE- First Impressions of the 2019 Perodua Aruz at the Perodua Test Track - Updated with Product Photographs & Launch Video Review ..

I was one of the few lucky motoring media who was invited to try out the 2019 Perodua Aruz prior to its announcement and teaser photos you see in this other article. The 7 seater SUV is production ready and we managed a go with it at the Perodua Test Track near Rawang, Selangor. No photographs were taken by any of us and they even gave us a locker each to store our camera taking gear. I felt naked without my smartphone. Finger also itchy without it. Anyway, just take a look at the Toyota Rush photos and imagine slightly different trim with a Perodua badge and logo instead. Here I have updated this article with product photographs as the Aruz has been launched.

It feels like the 2019 Toyota Rush (pictured above) when you step on the accelerator (click here for the 2019 Toyota Rush test drive). The acceleration feels the same, and so does most of the basic handling feel. It also seems to have the same levels of refinement inside when I drove it around Perodua's test track. No photo as this was a media session to also gauge our reaction and to garner more feedback on the car pre-launch. 

In terms of build quality, it somehow feels the same. I noticed two less cupholders in the front doors (if I remember correctly). 11 cup holders over 13 in the Rush. The door cards are slightly different too in terms of finishing too. I believe the ones in the Rush seem to have little more leathery bits over the Aruz. There are some differences on the dashboard and a different infotainment system. Aside from that, the interior trimming seems to be similar. Even the seats are similar to the ones fitted to the Malaysian specced, Perodua assembled Toyota Rush (both of which are different from the Indonesian Daihatsu Terios also – according to the folks at Perodua, mind you).

 Exterior wise, you get a different front grille and different bumpers as well as some smaller bits like the door trimmings – Toyota’s are slightly more sporty looking I think. You will notice the different bumpers and the grille when it is launched. It isn’t like the Daihatsu Terios also as Perodua’s designers have added their own touches to it. 

Safety features seems to be close to the Rush with the Rush having Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), ISOFIX and six airbags as well as the Active Safety Assist in version 2.0 form. This is Perodua’s (and Toyota/Daihatsu’s) pedestrian detection (up to 50 km/h) to the safety suite and increases the operational speeds of Pre-Collision Warning to 100 km/h and Pre-Collision Braking to 80 km/h. The safety suite continues to incorporate Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control. Higher speed limits on the system, and it does work to slow down the car when we tested it at the Perodua Test Track. The hill Start Assist also works, keeping the car stationery for at least 5 seconds before it lets go and allows the Aruz to roll backwards (so take note).

Actually, I have to say that all you have to do is head over to my previous Test Drive/First Impressions of the 2019 Toyota Rush in terms of how the Aruz drives. It feels the same at the speeds we tested – which was only up to around 90-100kmh on the test track. At those speeds, over bumps and ripples, it felt the same. The folks at Perodua however also stated that these days, they’ve made sure that their cars have to be sure footed at speeds over the Malaysian highway speed limit. They are actually tuned according to how Malaysians drive on highways, so the Aruz should be competent if you are one of those who like cruising at 140kmh or more in an adequately powered 7 seater SUV. Of course, since I haven’t had the chance to try it out on the highway, I cannot vouch for this at the moment.

 In terms of powertrain and drivetrain, it uses the same 1.5liter engine which makes 105ps and 136Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via an 4 speed torque converter transmission. Simple, robust and nothing fancy. Performance is adequate and the gearbox shifts down with ease when you want more poke. Nothing surprising and very similar to the drive I had in the Toyota Rush. The engine feels nippy and will try its best to put out all of the 105ps is has. Not much, but for the price offered, I find it good enough. Use it as transport folks.

It has the same seats and the same too low steering position. If the seats could be lowered or the steering raised a centimetre or two, things would be ergonomically better. This could be due to the extra padding on the Malaysian designed seats. More comfort. That being said, let me say it again..... as transport, it still is good. 

So essentially if you buy this Aruz, you could be buying a Toyota Rush at way cheaper a price. The drive experience is 99.9% similar. Either that or I am a complete dolt who cannot tell at all. I don’t think I am. I think the cars are the same thing with the same platform, body, seats, engine, gearbox, rear wheel drivetrain, most of the safety systems. 

The visible differences are in the trim, bumpers, grille, badging, steering boss with either a Toyota or a Perodua emblem, door trims and most importantly, for the vast difference in price are the thirteen cupholders in the Rush against a paltry eleven in the Aruz. There could be one extra safety feature in the Toyota (the 360degree camera) [ Update - no Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Alert also after some clarification] , but from the looks of it, all the important bits like the ASA 2.0 and Hill Start Assist are there for you. What you need in a car made for 2019 is there for you. I think you actually pay RM20,000 more for two extra cupholders and a few active safety bits. This could be a dealbreaker for some but.... I think. Not.

Wow. For RM72K onwards against RM93K onwards, where do I sign for the Aruz? I don’t think I need a calculator for this you know.