3rd-Gen Perodua Myvi Buyer's Guide: Which Variant Fits Your Budget?

The Perodua Myvi needs little introduction in the Malaysian automotive landscape. Ever since the first generation arrived in 2005, this hatchback has consistently remained one of the country's best-selling cars, earning its rightful title as the “King of Malaysian Roads”.

The Myvi currently in showrooms is the third-generation D51A model, which launched in 2017 and received a mid-life facelift in 2022. Perodua offers the Myvi in five variants, priced between RM46,500 and RM59,900.

While the price increments between variants look modest on paper, the equipment differences are substantial. Here is a breakdown of every variant across various budgets to help you make an informed buying decision.

Range overview

The third-generation Myvi offers a choice of two engines: a 1.3-litre and a 1.5-litre unit.

The 1.3L variant runs on the 1NR-VE engine producing 94 hp and 121 Nm of torque, while the 1.5L variant gets the 2NR-VE powerplant with 102 hp and 136 Nm. Across the entire range, Perodua's D-CVT gearbox comes as standard.

The five available variants comprise the 1.3 G without PSDA, 1.3 G, 1.5 X, 1.5 H, and the range-topping 1.5 AV. "PSDA" stands for Perodua Smart Drive Assist, the brand's proprietary suite of active safety systems.

In short, the 1.3 G without PSDA serves as the baseline model without advanced driver assistance, whereas the standard 1.3 G adds this safety suite. Moving up the ladder, the 1.5 X, 1.5 H, and 1.5 AV all share the larger 1.5-litre engine, with safety and convenience kit stepping up progressively.

Spec comparison

Note: Bold text denotes best-in-category figures. PSDA (Perodua Smart Drive Assist) includes Pre-Collision Braking (AEB), Pre-Collision Warning, Front Departure Alert, and Pedal Misoperation Control. ASA 3.0 builds upon PSDA by adding a wider operating speed threshold for AEB (up to 120 km/h), motorcycle/cyclist detection, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Lane Keep Control (LKC).

RM46,500: 1.3 G (without PSDA)

As the entry point to the Myvi family, this base variant retails at RM46,500. Under the bonnet sits a 1.3-litre engine producing 94 hp and 121 Nm of torque, returning a claimed fuel economy of 4.5 L/100km. Annual road tax is just RM70. It comes standard with four airbags and holds a 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating.

The primary appeal of this variant is pure simplicity—no complicated electronic driver aids, serving solely as honest, reliable daily transport. If your primary goal is point-to-point urban commuting, you have little interest in ADAS, and you want to keep your monthly loan repayments as low as possible, this variant is well worth a look.

Do keep in mind, however, that it omits Perodua's ASA safety pack and Auto High Beam (AHB).

RM48,500: 1.3 G

Demanding a RM2,000 premium over the base model, every extra sen here goes directly towards active safety.

The 1.3 G gains the PSDA suite, featuring Pre-Collision Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Pre-Collision Warning, Lane Departure Prevention with steering correction, Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control, and Auto High Beam.

Performance and fuel economy figures remain identical to the base car.

Is that RM2,000 top-up worth it? Absolutely. If you drive primarily in city traffic—especially amid the stop-start congestion of the Klang Valley—features like Autonomous Emergency Braking and Front Departure Alert prove invaluable.

Getting a comprehensive active safety suite for a RM2,000 price step represents exceptional value for money.

RM50,900: 1.5 X

Stepping up from the 1.3 G to the 1.5 X costs an additional RM2,400. What you get in return is the extra punch of the 1.5-litre engine: 102 hp and 136 Nm of torque, trimming the 0-100 km/h sprint from 11.5 seconds down to 10.2 seconds.

Fuel consumption increases slightly to 4.7 L/100km, while annual road tax goes from RM70 to RM90.

Equipment-wise, the 1.5 X builds on the 1.3 G by adding 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels (replacing the 14-inch units on the 1.3 G), Bluetooth connectivity, Hill Start Assist (HSA), auto-on headlamps, and power-folding side mirrors.

The D-CVT transmission also gains a dedicated steering-mounted Power Mode button.

The 1.5 X is your most affordable ticket into the 1.5-litre Myvi experience. If you do regular highway cruising and want that extra reserve of overtaking power without stretching your budget to the top spec, the 1.5 X makes a solid case for itself.

It retains the same safety baseline as the 1.3 G, complete with four airbags and the PSDA suite.

RM54,900: 1.5 H

The 1.5 H carries a RM4,000 premium over the 1.5 X. The mechanical package remains unchanged: the same 102 hp, 136 Nm output, and identical 10.2-second century sprint time.

That price difference goes into crucial safety and convenience upgrades: airbag count increases from four to six with the addition of side curtain airbags. It also gains an acoustic windscreen, a built-in SmartTAG reader, an anti-snatch handbag hook, and security window film.

Widely regarded as the sweet spot of the entire range, the 1.5 H hits the ideal compromise among performance, safety, and daily comfort.

If you want the peace of mind that six airbags provide, yet can live without the advanced Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features of the flagship, the 1.5 H is the one to shortlist.

RM59,900: 1.5 AV

Sitting at the top of the hierarchy, the range-topping 1.5 AV is priced RM5,000 above the 1.5 H. Under the skin, the powertrain matches the 1.5 H completely. That premium pays for the full-fat ASA 3.0 driver assistance suite.

The ASA 3.0 suite covers Pre-Collision Warning, Pre-Collision Braking (AEB), Front Departure Alert, and Pedal Misoperation Control.

Compared to basic PSDA, ASA 3.0 features an expanded AEB operational speed envelope of up to 120 km/h and can detect two-wheelers including motorcycles and bicycles.

Furthermore, the 1.5 AV exclusively adds Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Lane Keep Control (LKC), a reverse camera, an integrated driving video recorder (DVR/dashcam), and illuminated instrument meters.

If your driving routine involves long outstation highway stints, heavy peak-hour traffic crawling, or tight multi-storey parking manoeuvring, ASA 3.0 takes a huge load off the driver. However, if your daily commute is straightforward, you might not utilise these features often enough to warrant the extra outlay.

ASA safety features in traffic

When discussing the ASA system, its everyday practicality in Malaysian traffic deserves a closer look.

A standout feature is Front Departure Alert (FDA), which proves genuinely useful in jams. If you lose focus while waiting at traffic lights or stuck in a crawl and the car ahead pulls away, the system promptly chimes to alert you. For daily Klang Valley commuters, this handy feature saves you from getting honked at by impatient drivers behind.

Pedal Misoperation Control is another vital safety net, particularly in tight shopping mall car parks. Should the system detect an obstacle ahead (such as a wall or pillar) and the driver accidentally stomps on the accelerator, it cuts engine output and sounds an alert. The car will still creep forward, but only at a crawl, giving the driver precious seconds to brake.

One technical point to note: the Myvi's ASA system relies on a windscreen-mounted stereo camera setup rather than millimetre-wave radar. As a result, its detection capabilities may degrade slightly during heavy tropical downpours.

Even so, it remains one of the most accessible and affordable ADAS-equipped new cars on the Malaysian market today.

Verdict

Matching your budget to the right Myvi variant is straightforward:

On the tightest budget with no need for driver aids, the 1.3 G without PSDA (RM46,500) gives you maximum car for the least money.

If you can spare an extra RM2,000 for active safety, the 1.3 G (RM48,500) is the most affordable way into PSDA, perfect for city commuters wanting ADAS protection without needing the larger 1.5L engine.

If you want the extra punch of the 1.5-litre unit alongside PSDA, the 1.5 X (RM50,900) is the cheapest 1.5L variant available.

For those prioritising six airbags and superior cabin refinement, the 1.5 H (RM54,900) is the undisputed value champion of the lineup.

If your budget permits and you frequently tackle long highway drives or heavy jams, the range-topping 1.5 AV (RM59,900) delivers the most complete semi-autonomous driving package.

Spanning RM46,500 to RM59,900 across five distinct trims, the Perodua Myvi offers something tailored for every type of buyer. Which one belongs in your porch ultimately comes down to your financial comfort zone and daily driving demands.