Second attempt in rebadging MPV after Perodua Rusa, the Perodua Alza is a compact MPV produced by Perodua aimed at young families. It is a badge engineering of the Daihatsu Boon Luminas and Toyota Passo Sette, but uses a de-tuned 1.5 litre Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Terios engine. The name is derived from the Spanish verb alzar, which means "to raise". The name came from an internal competition held amongst Perodua's staff during the car's development phase.[1]
Most Malaysians view the Alza as a "Myvi on steroids".[2] Since its selling price is almost identical to the Proton Exora's, contrasts between the two cars have been drawn in the Alza's disfavor. It has been noted that the Alza lacks the advanced features of the Exora, such as the Body Control Module (BCM) which allows automatic activation of certain car functions.[3]
Alza is the best selling MPV in Malaysia for 2010 by total sales of nearly 42,000 unit, beating Proton Exora by a margin of 15,000 unit. The average number of Alza sales per month is around 2,800 units as Malaysian mostly believe[neutrality is disputed] on Toyota reputation on this Perodua's badge compact MPV compared to homegrown Proton's own Exora.
Models
The Perodua Alza is available in 4 different models all available in manual or auto transmission. They are:• Advance Version (ZHV) is the most advance and sporty.
• Premium (EZi and SZi) is the second most advance
• Standard (EZ and SZ) is the mid range model.
• SR (BX &BZ) is the most basic model.
Equipment
- Headlamps: The headlamps of and Alza are Projector types
- Front fog lamps: The SR and the Standard model don’t come with a fog lamps but the Premium and Advance version does.
- Side mirrors: All of the Alza range comes with turning signals.
- UV protected glass: For the SR, it’s only comes with the windscreen only bout for the Standard, Premium and Advance it comes with all glass.
- Wheels: The Alza comes with 15 inch alloy.
- Rear spoiler: The SR and the Standard model don’t come with a rear spoiler but the Premium and Advance version does.
- Rear combination lights: All of the Alza range come with LED type.
- Meter panel: For all Alza it is placed in the centre position
Quality Issues
After its initial release, the Alza received many negative comments from its own newly found owners about its built-up quality and workmanship. The complaints posted included: brake pads releasing too much brake dust when used; faulty disc brakes; poor sound insulation at speeds over 70 km/h; petrol fumes detected after filling at the station; inadequate roof insulation, especially on rainy days; broken door levers; unusual sounds coming from the air-conditioning system; unusual heat build-up at the rear right seat, steering rack vibration and noises on uneven roads and water coming in through the front headlamps. Extreme and uneven paint works causes the exterior to scratched and chipped easily. Uneven rustproofing has also been reported.[6][7]There are also complaints of certain models that came with faulty gearboxes, especially prevalent on automatic transmissions. Symptoms include sudden strong vibration upon engaging reverse gear, and the slight delay in changing gears. Other symptoms includes a hard-to-reproduced soft tapping noise on the engine compartment, and a slight engine over-revving upon gear change from 3rd to 4th gear. A handful of cases involving accidents that result in Alzas engulfing in flames has earned this car a nickname "Kereta Mudah Terbakar" (Malay translation for Flammable Car). [6]
Up until early 2012, Perodua had not issue any recalls of the Alza, which should be done in light of so many quality and safety issues with this car[neutrality is disputed]. However Perodua's failure to issue a recall might have something to do with the company not being able to survive a recall at such magnitude[neutrality is disputed].
In May 2012, Perodua issued a recall order for both the Alza and its popular first generation pre-facelifted hatchback MyVi for an extension of an air-conditioning pipe that previously could cause rust on the steering rack. This recall over a minor defect had many owners speculating that there was an attempted cover up of a larger issue of rusty steering rack which plagued the Alza since it was introduced in late 2009.
The Proton Exora, is powered by a 1.6-liter CamPro CPS engine while the transmission is by Mitsubishi. For a MPV that size, not sure how’s the performance. I just hope that it will not be a big letdown like toyota Avanza 1.3. You have to test to find out, but make sure you bring along the whole family.
