BEFORE you say the car is just another pocket-friendly, straight-forward Perodua offering with a 1.0-litre engine, let me tell you that the Ativa is a huge deal that will reshape the landscape of affordable cars in Malaysia.
The Ativa is Perodua's first-ever turbocharged car and features an all-new continuously variable transmission (CVT) gearbox.
Priced from RM61,500 to RM71,200, it offers a great package that the market has never seen before in this price bracket.
Wait, this is not the conclusion to the review. Allow me to explain why the Ativa is the car you need to pay attention to if you are looking for a compact car under RM100,000.
SPOT-ON SPECS
The Ativa comes in three variants of 1.0 X, 1.0 H and 1.0 AV and this writer took the range-topping 1.0 AV out for a spin because why not just start big, I suppose.
The Ativa 1.0 AV is equipped with automatic LED reflector headlights with auto high beam and adaptive driving beam, (black A- and B-pillars for that "floating roof" effect, LED tail lights, automatic power-folding side mirrors, shark fin antenna and 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 205/60 Bridgestone Turanza T005A.
Personally, I found myself digging the look of the Ativa for its stylish and chic design as well as its size that is just right — not too big or too small.
Despite that, the Ativa still appears muscular with its boxy body and generally flat hood, a welcome trait for a sport utility vehicle (SUV) in my opinion.
And the prominent C-pillar exhibits a traditional SUV feel to it, somehow reminiscing to that of the legendary Kembara.
Its colour options are Glittering Silver, Granite Grey and, if you fancy, you can fork out another RM500 for a choice of two special metallic options of Pearl Diamond White and Pearl Delima Red.
A black roof option costs another RM300.
One thing to point out though is that the Ativa is fitted with full LED for its headlights, position lights and fog lights but, for some reason, lacks daytime-running lights.
Perhaps Perodua could install them on the facelift?
Inside, there are two major elements that I think the owners would appreciate.
The cabin is spacious, considering how compact the car looks from the exterior.
The surfaces also make you wonder if the car really is priced below RM80,000. I mean, the designers have gone to great lengths in making the dashboard, centre console and door panels with great details to them.
But as a trade-off, these surfaces may be a little hard to clean and wipe.
Equipment in the cabin includes keyless entry, push-start button, digital air-conditioning controls with memory functions and leather-wrapped steering wheel with multi-function buttons.
It also has a seven-inch digital instrument display, nine-inch touchscreen infotainment with Smart Link, four USB ports, six speakers, digital video recorder and Llumar window tint.
I particularly like the full digital instrument display as it projects a nice crisp resolution.
Perodua also added an anniversary reminder function, which I find to be rather cool and handy. Just make sure you don't put more than one anniversary there.
The leather seats have the right contours at the right place and are easily the best in any Perodua car. Kudos for this.
THE DRIVE
All Ativa variants are powered by a 1.0-litre 1KR-VET engine with VVT-i, making 98hp and 140Nm.
Output is channelled to the front wheels via a new D-CVT with seven virtual ratios.
It felt effortless to zip around at city speeds from 40kph to 70kph as peak torque is available from 2,400rpm to 4,000rpm.
The Ativa is a solid example of a modern product in modern day.
An engine should be perceived by its output rather than its capacity. Rest assured that the car is far from underpowered, you just have to test it for yourself.
When you give the Ativa a full press, the car easily breaks the national speed limit at a healthy rate. Not Lamborghini Urus-fast, but highly acceptable for what it is. You just start to hear more of the engine but most of the time, the cabin will feel supremely refined.
Even cruising at 120kph with 25 per cent throttle, you will barely hear the engine or tyre noise.
The D-CVT transmission is quite responsive to the throttle input and helps make the car feel effortless to drive.
The D-CVT is a dual-mode unit, using belt mode at lower speeds before switching to gear mode at higher speeds. I honestly have no idea when it switches, but what's noticeable is how direct the car feels at triple digit speeds.
Handling wise, the Ativa does not have sports-oriented suspension or steering but the sophisticated chassis and lightweight body make it a fun car to drive around.
One key aspect in the Ativa is the Advanced Safety Assist (now in its 3.0 iteration) that comes with an abundance of advanced safety systems.
They include pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep control (LKC), blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control (ACC).
I found the LKC and ACC to be genuinely helpful and substantially reduced driving workload.
It is also fascinating to think how Perodua managed to throw such an amount of equipment into the Ativa package.
VERDICT
The brochure suggests the Ativa can obtain 18.9km/litre and during my real-world drive test, I managed to obtain around 14.9km/litre without having to be too saintly with my right foot.
All in all, the Ativa is the right product from Perodua at the right time.
I wouldn't say just go ahead and buy one but for those with a budget of under RM80,000, choosing the Ativa is clearly a no brainer.