What We Like
Excellent 18km/L fuel economy
Generous boot space
More mechanically accomplished than we expected
What We Dislike
Interior lacks refinement and polish
Steering is numb and heavy
The sedan would seem like the logical first step for any carmaker - it's a fairly generic body style that has permeated roads for the longest time. Well, not so for Perodua, Malaysia's largest car manufacturer. In response to the Malaysian market, the brand has been pumping out hatchbacks since its very first model, the Perodua Kancil, in 1994. Hatchbacks were (and in many ways continue to be) the bodystyle of choice for our northern neighbours - compact, sensible and functional.
It has taken the brand 13 years to finally produce its very first sedan, the brand new Perodua Bezza. Time to figure out if it's any good.
It looks familiar…
'A sedan built on a compact platform boasting excellent fuel efficiency'. Sounds familiar? Yep, that's also the calling card of the Mitsubishi Attrage. And if the Bezza looks familiar, it's because on first glance, the visual similarities to the Attrage are present - its narrow and tall stance, the short nose and boot, and the way the whole body tilts downwards so as to improve the car's aerodynamic efficiency and thus fuel economy.
Flourishes like chrome garnishes on the front grille and boot give the exterior a touch of lightness, but beyond that the Bezza is a fairly straightforward-looking compact sedan. The 14-inch rims do look a little small, though, but these aesthetics should be secondary to the car's economical capabilities.
It has taken the brand 13 years to finally produce its very first sedan, the brand new Perodua Bezza. Time to figure out if it's any good.
It looks familiar…
'A sedan built on a compact platform boasting excellent fuel efficiency'. Sounds familiar? Yep, that's also the calling card of the Mitsubishi Attrage. And if the Bezza looks familiar, it's because on first glance, the visual similarities to the Attrage are present - its narrow and tall stance, the short nose and boot, and the way the whole body tilts downwards so as to improve the car's aerodynamic efficiency and thus fuel economy.
Flourishes like chrome garnishes on the front grille and boot give the exterior a touch of lightness, but beyond that the Bezza is a fairly straightforward-looking compact sedan. The 14-inch rims do look a little small, though, but these aesthetics should be secondary to the car's economical capabilities.
How is the Bezza like on the inside?
The first thing that strikes you when you step in is that the car is relatively spacious, and will sit five comfortably. While it may look small and compact on the outside, the interior offers a good amount of legroom for passengers front and rear.
Additionally, with 508 litres on offer, the generous boot space means that the car scores high on practicality. In comparison, the Attrage offers 450 litres of boot space, while the Toyota Vios offers 506 litres.
However, the quality and refinement in the cabin can be slightly wanting, especially in the trim level that is being offered here in Singapore. The top 'Advance' trim level (not available locally) comes equipped with a multimedia system with navigation and a reverse camera. This 'Premium X' trim unfortunately does not get that. While you can still connect your music via USB or Bluetooth, the centre console does look a tad dated.
The first thing that strikes you when you step in is that the car is relatively spacious, and will sit five comfortably. While it may look small and compact on the outside, the interior offers a good amount of legroom for passengers front and rear.
Additionally, with 508 litres on offer, the generous boot space means that the car scores high on practicality. In comparison, the Attrage offers 450 litres of boot space, while the Toyota Vios offers 506 litres.
However, the quality and refinement in the cabin can be slightly wanting, especially in the trim level that is being offered here in Singapore. The top 'Advance' trim level (not available locally) comes equipped with a multimedia system with navigation and a reverse camera. This 'Premium X' trim unfortunately does not get that. While you can still connect your music via USB or Bluetooth, the centre console does look a tad dated.
It's all about fuel efficiency, right? So, how good is it?
On paper, this car will achieve 21km/L. After a day of driving the Bezza around, we dare say that 18km/L can be comfortably achieved with some right foot discipline.
And the good news doesn't stop there. Overall, the Bezza feels very mechanically well-sorted. The chassis feels strong while the car is capable of soaking up bumps on the road well, thanks to a pliant suspension.
Mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, the 1.3-litre four-cylinder Dual VVT-i engine puts out 94bhp and 121Nm of torque. Those numbers may be modest on paper, but with just 915kg to haul around, the Bezza never feels languid or slow. The engine pulls well when you give it the beans, so there's no need to be worried about being unable to overtake on expressways. The engine also feels more refined and quiet compared to the Attrage.
The car's compact proportions also means that it is easy to drive and easy to place on the roads. It's a fairly fuss-free car that does the job of getting from point to point well.
The biggest mechanical gripe we have with the car is the steering. The rack is at once heavy and numb, which translates to very little road feel. We had the misfortune of biblical rain during our test drive, which meant that forays onto the expressway were met with apprehension and a slight nervousness behind the wheel.
On paper, this car will achieve 21km/L. After a day of driving the Bezza around, we dare say that 18km/L can be comfortably achieved with some right foot discipline.
And the good news doesn't stop there. Overall, the Bezza feels very mechanically well-sorted. The chassis feels strong while the car is capable of soaking up bumps on the road well, thanks to a pliant suspension.
Mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, the 1.3-litre four-cylinder Dual VVT-i engine puts out 94bhp and 121Nm of torque. Those numbers may be modest on paper, but with just 915kg to haul around, the Bezza never feels languid or slow. The engine pulls well when you give it the beans, so there's no need to be worried about being unable to overtake on expressways. The engine also feels more refined and quiet compared to the Attrage.
The car's compact proportions also means that it is easy to drive and easy to place on the roads. It's a fairly fuss-free car that does the job of getting from point to point well.
The biggest mechanical gripe we have with the car is the steering. The rack is at once heavy and numb, which translates to very little road feel. We had the misfortune of biblical rain during our test drive, which meant that forays onto the expressway were met with apprehension and a slight nervousness behind the wheel.
Does it make sense to buy one?
We don't want to appear to be belabouring the point, but the comparisons against the Attrage seem obvious and inevitable. In our minds, the Bezza feels more mechanically refined and accomplished.
What it lacks in aesthetic polish, it makes up for with its mechanical underpinnings. It feels spritelier to drive, clocks in equally good fuel eocnomy figures, and offers up a hefty dose of practicality and comfort.
The unknown quality here is the car's durability, as well as its value over 10 years. We're less concerned about its durability - the Dual VVT-i engine is based on a proven technology that should hold up well over time.
Buyers may be understandably concerned about how the car's value holds up over time. Questions of resale value will remain, considering that the brand is a relatively small player in Singapore's market.
But after assessing the Bezza for what it is, it's definitely a value proposition that is light on petrol and light on your pockets. There's just no doubt that the Bezza can be an attractive choice for drivers on a budget.
We don't want to appear to be belabouring the point, but the comparisons against the Attrage seem obvious and inevitable. In our minds, the Bezza feels more mechanically refined and accomplished.
What it lacks in aesthetic polish, it makes up for with its mechanical underpinnings. It feels spritelier to drive, clocks in equally good fuel eocnomy figures, and offers up a hefty dose of practicality and comfort.
The unknown quality here is the car's durability, as well as its value over 10 years. We're less concerned about its durability - the Dual VVT-i engine is based on a proven technology that should hold up well over time.
Buyers may be understandably concerned about how the car's value holds up over time. Questions of resale value will remain, considering that the brand is a relatively small player in Singapore's market.
But after assessing the Bezza for what it is, it's definitely a value proposition that is light on petrol and light on your pockets. There's just no doubt that the Bezza can be an attractive choice for drivers on a budget.
