Perodua has officially launched the 2019 Perodua Axia. There are six variants with two being the most unique - One called the Axia STYLE which now looks like a compact crossover vehicle whilst the other, the range topping Axia AV now gets Perodua's Advanced Safety Assist (A.S.A) 2.0 making it Malaysia’s most affordable car with advanced safety features.
The enhanced and refreshed Perodua A-segment hatchback was launched today by Perodua Chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin at Perodua Sentral, Petaling Jaya. Perodua have also announced that they have garnered over 5,000 booking for the new Axia.
As stated above, the 2019 Perodua Axia comes in six variants – the Axia E, G, GXtra, SE, AV and the Crossover look STYLE variant. The variants are priced between RM24,090 and RM43,190, on-the-road before insurance for Peninsular Malaysia.
“Since order-taking began on 22 August, we have amassed over 5,000 bookings for the 2019 Perodua Axia, even before its public reveal,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad at the launch earlier this morning.
“The 2019 Perodua Axia carries on that spirit of affordability while offering Malaysians much more in an entry-level vehicle than ever thought possible. It offers major advances in safety and style never seen before in this segment and yet retains its affordability,” added Dato' Zainal.
Of course, Perodua still wants more for its customers, and the Axia isn't just meant for first time budget car buyers. According to Perodua many of their Axia customers are buying them for their second or third car. So there is a need for highly specced range topping variants like the SE and AV variants.
The range-topping AV variant (pictured above) of the 2019 Perodua Axia gets Advanced Safety Assist (ASA*) 2.0, comprising Pedestrian Detection (up to 50 km/h), Pre-Collision Warning (up to 100 km/h), Pre-Collision Braking (up to 80 km/h), Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control functions to mitigate collisions.
All variants from GXtra and above come with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and traction control, and all variants except the base E have ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution as standard. ISOFIX is to be had across the range, while SE and AV variants get solar and security window film. The Base E variant with its 5 speed manual transmission caters to the most basic customers (and a lot of driving schools), so while it does not have the multitude of safety features, it brings super affordable four wheel transportation to many.
But I have to say that the new stand-out addition to the Axia family is the STYLE variant,. This variant has a more rugged-looking crossover styling to it. The different front and rear bumpers are fitted with skid plate elements (i.e it just looks like skid plates, folks), all-round body cladding, clear-lens tail lamps, roof mouldings, a rear spoiler and striking 15-inch five-spoke alloys instead of 14 inch alloys like the other variants. A new variant-exclusive Sunrise Orange body colour completes the trendy crossover-inspired look.
This would definitely appeal to those that like the SUV/Crossover look. There are many of them these days. One fact to note is that the car is still an Axia underneath, it just has that crossover look and the suspension is essentially the same with the exception for the larger 175/60/15 tyres over the 175/65/14 tyres.
“The new Perodua Axia STYLE embodies the desire to be different; to unleash the fun and active side that exists in all of us. It is upbeat and trendy, and at the same time retains all the hallmark Axia qualities of practicality, spaciousness, clever design and ease to drive,” Dato’ Zainal said.
All Axia variants still come with the 50hp 1.0liter 4 cylinder engine. It is front wheel drive and comes with a 5 speed manual or a 4 speed automatic transmission. It comes with fuel efficiencies of 22.5 km/l for the manual, 21.6 km/l for the auto and 20.8 km/l for the new STYLE variant, Malaysia’s pioneer Energy-Efficient Vehicle (EEV) continues to be among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on sale today. But do note that the larger tyred STYLE has a fuel rating which is lesser due to the larger rolling resistance of the wheels. This is usually the case in terms of crossover ownership.
“We invite all Malaysians to meet and test drive the 2019 Perodua Axia at any of our sales outlets nationwide, where our friendly authorised sales advisors will be on hand to assist you and answer your queries,” Dato’ Zainal said.
Perodua stated that they are expecting a monthly sales figure of around 6,000 units for the new Axia. From this amount, 1,000 will be the new STYLE variant. I think they are being conservative as in terms of styling, the new STYLE is the freshest looking Axia out there. From this fact alone we may see it outsell some of the variants even though it isn't as highly specced out like the AV and SE variants. We are going to see it sell in the same numbers of the SE from the looks of it. (In terms of specs, it has most of the equipment from the GXtra but sells for the SE price of around RM38,000).
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