Perodua Ativa

It looks rather different from its Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize donor cars. The Ativa gets a front grille that extends into both LED headlights, as well as L-shaped front fog light surrounds. LED headlights are standard fitment across the line-up.

Perodua is offering two wheels with the Ativa: the entry-level 1.0 X gets silver-finished 16-inch alloy wheels, while the 1.0 H and 1.0 AV variants get 17-inch dual-tone units.

Towards the rear-end, the Ativa gets a chrome and black trim that connects both LED tail lights, as well as L-shaped trim. A silver trim below the number plate holder completes the Ativa’s rear-end.

Five body colours are available, with dual-tone (black roof) options being unique to the range-topping AV variant.

The cockpit is largely similar to its donor cars, sharing the same dashboard and steering wheel designs. However, its air-conditioning controls are different – while the Rocky/Raize uses two knobs, the Ativa gets a button-controlled system.

 
The Ativa has a two-stage boot floor, offering 303 litres at the first level, and offering a maximum of 369 litres (and it comes with a full-size spare tyre in all variants) in the second level. The Ativa also comes with 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

Safety features:

Standard across the range are 6 airbags, Pre-Collision Braking (PCB), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). The H and AV variants benefit from adaptive headlights (Adaptive Driving Beam), while the range-topping AV gets adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane keep control (LKC) and blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (BSM, RCTA).

Comfort features:

The X and H gets fabric seats, while leather interior upholstery is reserved only for the range-topping AV variant. Also, the X’s steering wheel is a bit empty – the H and AV fare better with a multi-function steering wheel.

Infotainment:

The X gets a regular, Bluetooth-enabled standard audio system with 4 speakers. Spring for the H and AV, and you’ll get a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with phone mirroring function. The AV adds on two tweeters, bringing the total speaker count to 6.

All variants of the Ativa are powered by a 1.0-litre, turbocharged three-cylinder engine mated to a D-CVT – good enough for 98 PS and 140 Nm. The Ativa is front-wheel drive only.

The Ativa is one of the most sophisticated Peroduas today, with cabin refinement a level or two higher than other models in the brand’s line-up, wind and tyre noise are well-insulated, and the engine is rather quiet.

Owing to its Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, ride and handling is miles ahead of other models in Perodua’s lineup too.