Perodua Ativa AV vs Aruz AV: RM1,300 apart, which budget SUV is right for you?

Inside a Perodua showroom, the price tags of the Ativa AV and Aruz AV sit virtually neck and neck. The Ativa AV retails at RM72,600, while the Aruz AV is priced at RM73,900 following its September 2026 price revision. That is a mere RM1,300 difference.

One is a five-seater, the other a seven-seater; one runs a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged mill, the other a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated unit. Both bear the exact same badge and occupy the same price bracket, yet they answer two fundamentally different questions.

Do You Actually Need the Third Row?

The Aruz's seven-seat layout is its biggest unique selling point in the low-RM70,000 territory.

Arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration with a sliding second row, its third-row cushion height and legroom are usable for quick school runs or ferrying two extra passengers on short hops, though adult comfort remains rather limited over long journeys.

The real compromise lies in boot space. With all three rows up, the Aruz leaves just 213 litres of cargo volume—fine for a few schoolbags and groceries, but strollers or bulky luggage require a rethink. Tumble the third row forward, however, and luggage capacity expands to 514 litres, which is on par with a typical five-seater SUV.

The Ativa provides 369 litres of boot space, ready to load without requiring any seat adjustments. That is 156 litres more than the Aruz with all seven seats deployed, though somewhat shy of the Aruz's 514-litre capacity in five-seat mode.

This distinction becomes apparent during weekly hypermarket trips and monthly family travel. If the third row is called upon less than once a month, the Ativa's fixed, hassle-free boot is far more practical for everyday errands.

Driver Assistance and Safety Features

The Ativa AV comes equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with steering assist, which automatically regulates vehicle speed and helps maintain lane positioning during highway cruising and traffic crawls. The fatigue reduction this system delivers on long journeys is tangible every single day.

The Aruz AV, by contrast, makes do with passive cruise control, requiring the driver to manually manage distances to preceding vehicles once the speed is set.

Its Advanced Safety Assist (ASA 2.0) suite includes Pre-Collision Warning and pedestrian detection, offering essential protection in low-speed city scenarios, but it lacks the semi-autonomous convenience of an adaptive cruise system.

1.0T vs 1.5L NA

The Ativa's 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged powerplant delivers 97 hp and 140 N·m, with peak torque available from just 2,400 rpm, paired with a D-CVT driving the front wheels.

This engine delivers punchy low-end torque, meaning urban getaways and quick overtakes do not require working the revs high; 140 N·m feels brisk and effortless in stop-and-go traffic.

However, displacing just 996 cc, high-speed overtaking and hill climbs under full load reveal clear limits to its reserves.

The Aruz employs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine producing 101 hp and 133 N·m, with peak torque arriving higher up at 4,200 rpm, paired with a 4-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels.

Despite the larger displacement, torque is actually 7 N·m lower than the Ativa's and peaks considerably later. The 4-speed automatic's taller, wider ratios mean you need to plan ahead and build revs early when overtaking or tackling steep inclines with a full seven-passenger load.

The difference in fuel consumption is even more apparent than the performance gap. The Ativa claims an official combined fuel economy of 5.3 L/100km, whereas the Aruz is rated at 6.4 L/100km. Based on an annual mileage of 20,000 km and RON95 priced at RM2.05 per litre, fuel costs work out to roughly RM2,173 per year for the Ativa against RM2,624 for the Aruz—an annual difference of RM451.

Annual road tax costs RM20 for the Ativa versus RM90 for the Aruz, widening the spread by another RM70. Factoring in fuel and road tax, the Ativa will save you around RM2,600 over a five-year ownership cycle.

Ownership Costs and Resale Value

When it comes to routine servicing, Perodua's official schedules indicate that total scheduled maintenance over 5 years / 100,000 km is closely matched. The Ativa totals around RM3,539, while the Aruz is marginally higher, with a difference of approximately RM500.

With its larger engine displacement and different fluid specifications for the 4-speed automatic gearbox, the Aruz incurs slightly higher long-term maintenance costs, though not by a substantial margin.

Residual value trends suggest that the Aruz holds roughly 72.5% of its value after three years, whereas the Ativa retains around 76%. Part of the Ativa's resale advantage comes down to lower fuel consumption and a more comprehensive ADAS suite, both of which represent tangible value to used car buyers.

While the Aruz's seven-seater capacity retains steady niche appeal in the pre-owned market, its target demographic is narrower than that of a standard five-seater, which can translate to longer turnaround times when selling.

How to Choose?

If you routinely carry six to seven people multiple times a month, the Aruz's seven-seat capability is practically unmatched at this price point.

A generous 514-litre boot in five-seater guise, coupled with the baseline safety of ASA 2.0, makes it an honest, functional choice built squarely around the mission of moving larger families.

If your everyday motoring revolves around five seats and the third row is merely an occasional "just in case," the Ativa AV is the more compelling daily driver.

For virtually the same budget, it gives you Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, alongside lower running costs, cheaper road tax, and slightly stronger 3-year resale value.

Its 369-litre boot takes care of weekly groceries and weekend luggage without touching a single seat.

The RM1,300 difference does not alter the affordability bracket; it simply places two extra seats on one side of the scale and a full suite of driver assists with adaptive cruise control on the other.