ONE interesting aspect of the Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) award this year is the People's Choice prize.
The winner was determined by online polling, with one vote per person, from a list of 25 nominees selected by the judges and a team from the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute.
The 2023 Axia from Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) took home the People's Choice award in the mass market category, while the BMW iX1 xDrive30 M-Sport EV won the hearts of the public in the premium market.
The latter's win was a shock to the judges as they did not expect an electric vehicle (EV) to win in the premium market segment.
The 2023 Axia is built on the new Daihatsu New Global Architecture platform, making it the third Perodua model after the Ativa and 2023 Alza.
It comes in the G, X, SE and AV variants, priced (without insurance and in Peninsular Malaysia) at RM38,600, RM40,000, RM44,000 and RM49,500, respectively.
All four variants come with vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution, hill-start assist and the Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA).
They are equipped with a one-litre engine paired with a new dual-mode continuously various transmission that delivers 67hp at 6,000rpm and 91Nm of maximum torque at 4,400rpm.
The SE and AV variants also come with power mode and LED daylight running lights.
Exclusive to the AV variant is a seven-inch TFT (thin-film transistor) multi-info display, a nine-inch display audio, two-tone semi-leather seats and six airbags.
Meanwhile, the iX1 xDrive30 M-Sport EV features BMW's fifth-generation eDrive technology, having two electric motors — one for each axle — that are each rated at 190PS and 247Nm of torque.
Its all-wheel drive (AWD) setup delivers a total system output of 272PS and 494Nm of torque. A temporary boost function can push it to 313PS under hard acceleration.
The compact Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) can sprint from zero to 100kph in 5.7 seconds and has a top speed of 180kph.
The electric motors draw power from an underfloor-mounted lithium-ion battery that has an energy capacity of 64.7 kWh. This translates to a range offering of 440km (WLTP).
Locally, the sole iX1 xDrive30 M-Sport EV variant is priced at RM272,370 (on the road without insurance).
In addition to the winners, the judges also named three Honourable Mentions.
The Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0 V6 petrol twin turbo was acknowledged for its outstanding performance, being described as a "supercar in pick-up guise".
It can deliver more than 400hp and 580Nm of torque. It is a supercar in twin-cab guise and is one of Ford Malaysia's top-selling twin-cab pick-ups.
The "kosong-spec" Axia 1.0 E (manual) received recognition for its affordability. With its price tag of RM22,000, it is one of the best value-for-money cars in the world.
Under the hood is a 1KR-VE 1.0-litre electronic fuel injection VVT-i engine (first seen in the second-generation Axia). Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, this little workhorse delivers a respectable 67hp at 6,000rpm and 91Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.
It is a front-wheel drive (FWD) city compact that boasts a 33-litre fuel tank capacity and an impressive fuel consumption rate of 22.5km/l (ECE mode).
It is the most affordable car in Perodua's product lineup, surpassing the likes of the company's first Kancil model (retailing around RM24,800) and the 2019 Axia E variant model (RM24,090).
Based on the 2017 Axia's body, the key highlight of the "kosong-spec" is the manual transmission.
To achieve the utmost in cost-cutting, the Axia E variant rolls off the assembly line without any in-cabin entertainment whatsoever and is packed with only the essentials.
No infotainment system, audio speakers, and radio. The side mirrors are manual and you won't find wireless door locks and alarms, carpet mats or central locking either. There are no modern driver-assist systems or advanced safety features either.
It does have some modern quality-of-life properties, including air-conditioning, power windows, electric power steering, 175/64 R14 steel rims, two airbags at the front, ISOFIX system, and a safety triangle accessory.
Despite criticism regarding its safety standards, the judges argued that the Axia E (manual) was still much safer than motorcycles.
Lastly, the Chery Omoda 5, or more specifically Chery, was commended for its warranty offering. It was launched with an unprecedented one million kilometres warranty for the first 3,000 buyers. This imaginative brand-building exercise caught the attention of the judging panel.
As for the Omoda 5, Cars Bikes and Trucks called it a dynamite for its bundle of features at its price range.
It is available in two variants, with the difference between them mostly cosmetic and with changes to certain cabin features.
Both FWD variants run on a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is paired with a nine-speed continuous variable transmission electronic shifter to deliver 156hp and 230Nm of torque.
A full Advanced Driver Assistance System package is standard for both, including lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot detection, emergency lane keeping, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, front collision warning and automatic emergency braking, auto high beam, hillstart assist, hill descent control, and tyre pressure monitoring.
The cabin highlights include a 10.25-inch infotainment that is compatible (wireless) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, and dual-zone air conditioning with a PM2.5 filter.
The H variant sports additional red highlights around the car, even on its rims. It has sequential signals and front and rear start-up lights.
It also has a 360-degree camera system, an eight-speaker Sony sound system, powered and ventilated front seats, and a sunroof.
The Omoda 5 is priced at RM108,800 (C variant) and RM118,800 (H variant).