FIRST-DRIVE REVIEW: Is the 2023 Perodua Axia the Toyota Wigo we want?

The all-new 2023 Perodua Axia was previewed to the Malaysian press on February 8, 2023, giving us a possible glimpse of the next-generation Toyota Wigo.

Although the Axia will be officially unveiled on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2023, for those who don’t have a love life), our friends at WapCar Malaysia have been able to get behind the wheel of Perodua’s new little hatchback.

The Axia has long been the Malaysian sibling of the Daihatsu Ayla and the Wigo. It uses the new Daihatsu New Global Architecture to underpin the next Wigo, which will make its global debut on February 13, 2023.

New CVT quite jerky

The 2023 Perodua Axia is still powered by a 1.0-liter, twin-cam, 12-valve inline-3 gasoline engine pumping out 68 PS and 91 Nm of torque. At least in the Malaysian market for now. 

WapCar Writer CY Foong said the powerplant is now more refined at speeds up to 90 km/h compared to the old model.

The new Perodua Axia also gets a Dual-Mode Continuously Variable Transmission (D-CVT), replacing the old 4-speed automatic gearbox. The carmaker claims the new model with its D-CVT can deliver up to 27.4 km/l in the Malaysian Driving Cycle.

Although the CVT is smoother than the old torque-converter slushbox, Foong noted that the new transmission was “uncomfortably jerky.” 

Do you think the potential savings in fuel is worth the quirks of the D-CVT?

Nicer behind the wheel

Even though it's Malaysia’s cheapest new car, the 2023 Perodua Axia is much nicer to drive because of the improved driving position and the tilt-adjustable steering wheel.

Stability has also greatly improved at expressway speeds compared to the previous model, although cabin noise remains high.

In addition, the new platform includes a more comfortable suspension setup that handles bumps better than the old Axia.

“Overall, the all-new D74A Perodua Axia isn’t just a head above its predecessor, it is streets ahead of anything else in its price range,” Foong said. “This 10-minute drive might even be convincing enough for this writer to add himself to the booking orders.”

Given these early observations of the 2023 Perodua Axia, do you think the next-generation Toyota Wigo is worth the wait?

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