The all-new Perodua Myvi’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) was the talk of the town when Perodua pulled off the wraps of the fourth-generation hatchback. Pre-Collision Warning (PCW), Pre-Collision Braking (PCB), Front Departure Alert (FDA) and Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC) all for the price of RM55k? If this isn’t the bargain of the century, I don’t know what is.
It’s no surprise that the nation’s favourite hatchback topped sales charts once again with over 20,000 bookings secured within the first month of its official debut – and Perodua is projecting a monthly sales target of 6,000 units only. Many went for the range-topping 1.5 Advance not only for its range of premium features but also for the ASA. But before you drive-off happily thinking you’ll always have the ASA safety net there to save you, you have to understand what it can and cannot do.
The ASA is taken off from Daihatsu’s first-generation Smart Assist which was first equipped (for a compact vehicle) on the Daihatsu Move back in 2012. However, on the Move, it adopts a laser radar instead of the more accurate stereo camera on the Myvi. Only on later-generations, the Smart Assist II and Smart Assist III did Daihatsu adopt a stereo camera. Perhaps for future upgrades?
While Daihatsu did not have a fancy name each individual function, it works exactly the same as the Myvi’s ASA:
| Daihatsu Smart Assist | Perodua ASA | Operation Object | Vehicle Speed Range |
| Low-speed crash avoidance
|
Pre-Collision Braking | For vehicles | Avoid crash: 4 – 20 km/h
Reduce damage: 20 – 30 km/h |
| Pre-Collision Warning | 4 – 30 km/h | ||
| Informs of motion of vehicle in front | Front Departure Alert | 0 km/h | |
| Gas pedal misoperation control | Pedal Misoperation Control | < 10 km/h; obstacle within 4 meters |
PCB and PCW are operable at speeds of 4 to 30 km/h, essentially city speeds. Using a stereo camera, the system detects large objects upfront and sends an audible warning to the driver when an imminent collision is detected. Should there be no input (steer or brake) from the driver, the car automatically engages the brakes to bring the complete stop if the difference in speed between you and the car in front is below 20 km/h. If the relative speed difference is between 20 – 30 km/h, the system will only assist in reducing damage and not necessarily avoid the crash altogether.
Besides that, the PCB will only operate three times per engine start. I repeat, three times only. Meaning to say that if the PCB has activated on three separate occasions during your journey, the system will not engage the fourth time. The only way for PCB to operate again is by restarting the engine which resets the counter to three again. If this was Super Mario arcade, you only have three lives for every token you put in.
Lastly, the stereo camera on the Myvi has been programmed to detect sizable vehicles and not pedestrians or motorcycles. So, you must still be on the lookout for jaywalkers and weaving motorcyclist.
If you’re thinking that the Perodua is shortchanging you by giving you a “subpar” product, it is far from the case. Imagine this, if you require the PCW and PCB to warn you more than three separate occasions on a single journey, you should really reevaluate your driving style or take a break from driving. Having the full suite of ASA dramatically enhances the overall safety of the car but we as responsible drivers should never take these advanced safety features for granted and rely on it all the time.
Should you still get the top spec Myvi with ASA? My honest opinion is if you have the means, absolutely. Regardless whether the Autonomous Emergency Braking works three times or twenty times, as long as it avoids a collision once, its money well spent. Besides, better to have the system than not.
IMAGE GALLERY
Perodua Myvi 1.5 Advance (AT)
