2023 Perodua Axia gets tested by ASEAN NCAP: new Wigo to get Toyota Safety Sense?

MANILA: The 2023 Perodua Axia — also known as the next-generation Toyota Wigo — has been tested by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (ASEAN NCAP). The latest mini hatchback has achieved four out of five starts in that test.

The 2023 Toyota Wigo/Perodua Axia received an adult occupant protection rating from ASEAN NCAP of 14.96 out of 16. The organization did subtract points for adult side impact protection, citing insufficient chest protection. However, the results improve as a result of a flawless score in the frontal and side impact tests for child occupant protection.

Active safety systems are given a lot of credit in the ASEAN NCAP safety assessment criteria. Although the vehicle has stability control as standard, the effectiveness of its optional automatic emergency braking system and blind spot detection system, as well as its rating for motorcycle safety, reduced its rating. After all the results were added up, the Toyota Wigo/Perodua Axia could only receive a maximum rating of four stars. The vehicle received an A+ for pedestrian protection.

Perodua is a Malaysian carmaker owned by Toyota. As a result, the former’s models share underpinnings and features with its parent company, including its current Axia model that is based on the first-generation Toyota Wigo.

All-new Wigo to get Toyota Safety Sense?

The Axia does not let down with its much improved safety features over earlier Perodua models. The top model will have six airbags (dual front, side, and curtain), which is a significant improvement over the previous model's two front airbags as a maximum.

Meanwhile, Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) — what could be Perodua’s version of Toyota Safety Sense — could also be available. The 2019 Axia facelift featured Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) and autonomous emergency braking (AEB), so it is likely to be offered here with the new-generation. Stability control, meanwhile, is standard.

The "Driving Assist" bundle, which includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping capabilities, is also covered by the PDSA umbrella. It is unknown if the new Axia will have these semi-autonomous features or if it will only have ASA.

2023 Toyota Wigo Powertrain

The Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform accommodates the 2023 Toyota Wigo/Perodua Axia, which is propelled by a carryover 1.0 liter VVT-i engine (codenamed 1KR-VE), a three-cylinder unit with 67 horsepower and 91 Nm of torque.

The long-serving four-speed torque converter automatic transmission may be replaced by a stepless automatic in the 2023 Toyota Wigo, delivering improvements to both performance and fuel economy.

Found on the all-new Axia, D-CVT stands for Dual-Mode CVT, the first split gear CVT system ever created. In order to improve acceleration and quietness, the unit essentially combines a gear drive with a belt drive.

At higher speeds, the D-CVT shifts into its split mode, engaging the gear drive to provide more efficient power transmission (less energy loss), while the rotation to the belt drive is greatly reduced. From rest to medium speeds, the D-CVT functions like any other CVT, with engine torque going through a torque converter and into the input pulley, before being transferred to the output pulley via a belt and then to the wheels.

Fuel efficiency has increased to 25.3 kpl with the CVT or as high as 27.4 kpl with the Eco Idle auto start-stop technology. These alleged numbers come from the Malaysian Driving Cycle (MDC), which is purported to reflect regional driving habits and road conditions.

2023 Toyota Wigo Equipment

The new Wigo could get the new features found in its sibling vehicle.

All Axias have electric wing mirrors, but only the upper-spec cars are automatically retractable. Keyless entry has been common, and the illustration depicts an electrostatic sensor that only requires a touch in place of pressing a button.

The digital meter panel is an additional feature standout. A 7.0-inch TFT instrument panel is included with the top-of-the-line Axia. Found on the tachometer is a "3D ring," it is most likely the same device paired with a digital speedometer. A 9.0-inch display audio in the floating style is another exclusive of the Axia. Every other model comes with a radio without a touchscreen.

Photos from Perodua, ASEAN NCAP

Also read: Why go for the Wigo 1.0L TRD S AT?