The Perodua Axia‘s cousin, the Daihatsu Ayla has been launched in Indonesia with five variants available starting from 134 million rupiah (RM39k) for the 1.0 MT, 146.9 million rupiah (RM42k) for the 1.0 X MT, 166.9 million rupiah (RM48k) for the 1.0 X CVT and two further 1.2-litre variants for 164 millon rupiah (RM47k) and 184 million rupiah (RM53k).
For comparison purposes, we’ll go with highest spec 1.0 X CVT Daihatsu Ayla that’s priced similarly with the highest spec Perodua Axia 1.0 AV starting from RM49,500 to have a look and see how much more we’re getting with our Axia unlike its Indonesian cousin. Of course, the Indonesian prices are direct conversions and with taxes and duties taken into account, it would cost more than RM48k.
For starters, both are powered by a 1.0-litre 1KR-VE engine with 67 hp although in terms of torque, the Axia produces 2 Nm more than the Ayla at 91 Nm. That’s not all. Looking at the spec sheet and images of the Ayla from the Daihatsu Indonesia website, it seems for more or less the same amount money, our Perodua Axia seems better equipped.
Based on the variant comparison table from the Daihatsu Indonesia website, it seems the 1.0-litre Ayla does not come with LED headlamps along with LED positioning lamps – a feature available to Axia for the first time. According to the comparison table, it seems only the 1.2-litre Ayla models are fitted with LED headlamps.
Features like keyless entry are only available in the higher grade 1.2-litre Ayla. That said, the Ayla is available in a wider range of colours; a total of eight compared to the Axia’s five. The 1.0-litre Ayla ADS also gets textured panel as part of its front grille; something not offered even in the most expensive Axia.
On the inside, the differences are even more apparent. Even in the highest grade 1.2-litre Ayla, you only get a seven-inch touchscreen, with the 1.0-litre models getting a double-din headunit with a CD player. In the Axia, you get a nine-inch touchscreen in the RM49,500 AV model. The range-topping Perodua Axia AV also gets a digital instrument cluster – something not offered even in the 1.2-litre model Ayla.
On the safety front, all variants of the Ayla are not equipped with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and prevention, blindspot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert but are available in our local Perodua Axia AV.
The all-new Perodua Axia may have grown bigger and picked up a few new tricks which is always something you’d expect from a new generation vehicle. Some quarters of the Internet, however, has had a different opinion; saying that the Axia is no longer a cheap car with all the additional equipment.
What are your thoughts on that? Should new features and additional refinement be included without an increase in price? Or would you prefer the Axia to remain plain and simple?
GALLERY
