PERODUA has opened bookings for its latest model, the Aruz, a three-row seven-seater sports utility vehicle (SUV), with a stated price of between RM72,200 and RM77,200 (on-the-road before insurance in Peninsular Malaysia).
The launch was decidedly low key compared with national car manufacturer Proton’s recent launch of its latest model, the X70, which was preceded by previews and press introductions. Earlier, a leaked brochure containing the Aruz’s specifications had made its round on social media.
There are only two variants of the Aruz that will be offered, namely the 1.5 X and 1.5 Advance, which is available in five colours — Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Electric Blue, Granite Grey and Amazon Green.
Both will be powered by an aluminium-block 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i built in Sendayan, Negri Sembilan, mated to an electronically-controlled automatic transmission (E-AT).
The Aruz will come with a five-year/150,000km warranty (whichever comes first).
“The Aruz is our fourth transformation model, setting new standards for us in quality, space, fuel efficiency and safety — the latter bolstered by a 5-star Asean NCAP safety rating.
“With these qualities and more, the Aruz is among the best-value SUVs in Malaysia,” said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
Zainal said he expected sales of this new model to average 2,500 units monthly or 31,200 units by the end of this year.
With an elevated driving position, good all round visibility, good space and flexible seating layouts, the Aruz is targeted at families and those with an active lifestyle.
In terms of its exterior, the Aruz gets LED headlamps with the follow-me-home function (auto lights on Advance variant), 17-inch two-tone alloys. Meanwhile, the Advance variant adds fog lamps and roof rails for extra style points.
Inside, the Aruz is equipped with Smart Entry, as well as Push Start/Stop Button as standard.
All variants are equipped with a touch-screen radio with reverse camera display, digital air-conditioning with two memory settings, air vents for the rear passengers and a built-in toll card reader.
Seating is flexible in the Aruz, with the second row split 60:40 while the third row is split 50:50. Both rows can slide, fold and tumble, yielding a variety of seating and loading configurations. All three rows are equipped with charging ports.
The Advance variant adds leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with call-receive controls and an integrated driving video recorder. The top variant’s touch-screen entertainment system is also equipped with HDMI input, Smart Link, Bluetooth and navigation programme.
The Aruz has a 5-star Asean NCAP safety rating and is equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), ISOFIX points and six airbags, which are all standard across the range.
The Advance variant has an upgraded version of the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) active safety suite, called ASA 2.0.
With the ASA 2.0 safety suite, Perodua has added pedestrian detection, which can function when the vehicle is travelling below 50kph) to the safety suite and increases the operational speeds of Pre-Collision Warning to 100kph and Pre-Collision Braking to 80kph.
Also incorporated is the Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control.
The Aruz is certified as an Energy-Efficient Vehicle (EEV), and is equipped with Eco Idle.
Perodua says it has the best-in-class rated fuel efficiency of 15.6 km/l.