MANILA: Malaysian automaker Perodua has released the first images of the 2023 Perodua Axia. Perodua started accepting reservations for this all-new mini hatchback in Malaysia in January.

According to Malaysian automotive news site Paultan, the 2023 Perodua Axia will be officially launched on February 14.

With Perodua being owned by Toyota, the Axia is essentially the Toyota Wigo for the Malaysian market. The 2023 Perodua Axia is based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, the same platform used on the all-new Toyota Vios, Toyota Raize, Toyota Avanza, and Toyota Veloz.

The 2023 Perodua Axia is also outfitted with the most cutting-edge technology and safety features in its price range.

“The all-new Perodua Axia is the latest model under the Perodua Smart Build (PSB), which means that it is part of a global production and component chain. The end result is a model that offers a wide range of selection for entry-level car buyers and we believe that the All-New Perodua Axia offers the best value in its segment,” Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad stated.

What's new

The 2023 Perodua Axia has a major upgrade over its predecessor in terms of fuel efficiency. Based on the new Malaysian driving cycle mode, the 2023 Perodua Axia has the ability to achieve up to 27.4 km/L.

The 2023 Perodua Axia also has a higher top speed when measured by the New European Driving Cycle standard — 23.2kph versus the 21.6kph of the current Axia.

Smart Drive Assist

The 2023 Perodua Axia also comes standard with Perodua’s Smart Drive Assist, which is similar to Toyota Safety Sense. This makes the 2023 Perodua Axia the first entry-level model to be equipped with a suite of advanced driver assist systems.

Engine

The 2023 Perodua Axia is powered by a 1.0-liter KR-VE three-cylinder that produces 66ps and 89Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a dual mode continuously variable transmission (DCVT).

Variants

The 2023 Perodua Axia comes in four variants: G, X, SE, and AV. All variants come standard with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and traction control, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Hill Start Assist, and traction control.

The SE and AV variants of the 2023 Perodua Axia come with power mode, LED daytime running lamp (DRL), solar and security film, and semi-bucket type seats with detachable headrests.

The AV variant is also equipped with a seven-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) multi-information display, a nine-inch display audio, two-tone  semi-leather seats, and six airbags.

Colors and pricing

The 2023 Perodua Axia is available in five colors: Granite Grey, Lava Red, Glittering Silver, Ivory White, and Coral Blue. Pricing ranges from RM38,600 to RM49,500 (approximately P487,000 to P624,000).

The launch of the 2023 Perodua Axia next week will give us a glimpse of what we should expect on the next-generation Toyota Wigo. This also gets our hopes up that Toyota Motor Philippines will launch the all-new Wigo in the near future.

Photos from Perodua

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