The game changing Perodua Bezza

The Perodua Bezza name is not anything fantastic, nor it sounds any extraordinary to be in the game changing world, but this is Perodua first sedan, and with its reliability, ease of ownership, new engine and 5-Star ASEAN NCAP safety rating (for the Advance variant, other variant scored 4-Star), could as well welcome those that hated the small boot size of all the hatchbacks the brand has produced to date, to put their money down for a real first family car.  Based on the A-segment AXIA platform, one could expect it to compete with the upcoming Proton Saga.  With order books multiplying quickly and reaching > 20k units now, Perodua seems to hit the jackpot with every model that it brings to the market.  Somehow, cheap does not means it will sell, it is always the user experience that move the product.  Proton is either here nor there to make a real comeback, though most are waiting for the Saga and Persona, which could be as game changing as well.

As with all Perodua's models, Bezza took the simplicity path in the interior design, with some touch of luxury.  The Advance variant is equipped with leather seat, leather wrap steering and gear shifter, which is rarely seen in car of such segment.  The white stitching add to the luxurious feel as well.  Priced at RM51k OTR, it could sound too much for the brand, but heck, it sells when the car is a fully well thought and equipped, especially with dual airbags, ABS and traction control.  It even has keyless entry, Start-Stop button and engine idle stop feature.  If it were to have all round airbags, the Bezza is then really a car not to be missed by car buyers. 

Manual and Automatic variants are available, both for the 1.0-litre (50hp/91Nm) and 1.3-litre (70hp/121Nm) engine models.  Notably, the 1.3-litre engine is the new 1NR-VE Dual VVTi unit, where the 1.0-litre is the existing unit used in the Axia.  Perodua is advancing much better than most local and Japanese manufacturers in trying out new technology, which is a big thumb up.

The anti-snatch seat hook is inherited from the Axia, and best of all, a USB port capable of supplying 2A power is available at the end of the center console, ensuring rear-seat passenger "juice" for their mobile device.

When it is a sedan, naturally boot space is an important spec that people will look at, and the Bezza does come with a 508-litre boot.  It could swallow luggage for not just a weekend getaway, but at least for a full week around Malaysia roadtrip.

So, has the Bezza excite you?  The very first in-house design sedan, not inheriting any of its sibling Daihatsu model, except for the platform, the first trial of Perodua does indeed can be game changing.  When Myvi makes its debut more than a decade ago, no one expected it stirred up the hatchback trend, filling our road with so many of them.  Then the Axia, giving better value than the Kancil it replaced, it quickly becomes the first car of many fresh graduates and the retire generation.  Now, the Bezza, could very well lures those that need a sedan, yet have only Saga as their choice in the past to put their signature in the order list.

Six colours are available, where the Ocean Blue above and Sugar Brown below are new.  If only the Brown could be more brown, it would be a perfect colour.  The Sugar Brown looks a bit grayish under sunlight.

Very soon, we will again see the road full of Bezza, and Perodua laughing to the bank.

All new Honda Civic, the Altis killer

2016 is a game changing year, as with different priority in life, this blog will only be updated when time allows.  As with the recent Honda's models, all are as game changing in their own segment, with simple purpose of hitting its competitors hard and gaining huge leap in market share.  The Honda HRV is one, and now the all new Honda Civic is yet another one, going to hit Toyota big time, especially with the new turbocharged 1.5-litre engine.  It is always good to know car manufacturer is willing to bring in newer technology engine to the local market, as the long time market champion, Toyota has been sticking to the old, trusted and reliable unit, but with no excitement to the demanding consumers.

The all new Honda Civic comes with three variants, one with the old trusted natural aspirated 1.8-litre engine (141hp/174Nm), which is now the cheapest Civic one can get, at RM114k.  Going up is the new Earth Dream 1.5-litre turbocharged variants (173hp/220Nm) which are priced at RM128k and RM136k respectively.  One would start to ask whether should top-up a little more for the Accord instead.  Honda is a believer is CVT, thus it could be disappointing for those that favour the better torque converter gearbox.

The beauty of the Civic is in the eye of the beholder.  Most love the front aggressive and futuristic look, especially the highest end unit which is equipped with LED headlight.  The angle portray some "Transformer" look.  The rear is controversial, either hate it or like it.  The extension to the light cluster to the boot lid could be a hit or miss.  It is always good to know the safety equipment of all variants are similar, all round airbag and traction control are standard.  Parking brake is now electric, no more handle.  For those that would love to modify their Civic for some handbrake drift action, forget about it, as it has grown to be more luxurious now.

Gone are the 2-tier meter cluster and the new Civic live on with a simpler dashboard.  Quality of the interior is questionable, especially with the leather seat.  Sit on it, feel it, one can immediately agreed on the questionable quality, which looks loosely stitch and too soft with some lousy leather.  Locally sourced seats could be a concern! 

The Civic again has adopted the hidden tier to house the 12V and USB input.  Some love it as it hide the messy space, but it is totally not ergonomic for usage.  A driver while seated, making the reach to the 12V socket difficult as it is far toward the passenger side.  Even accessing the USB port which is nearer is difficult as the whole compartment is like hidden deep down the centre stack.  Honda's engineer should relook into the design.

Love the Civic, and want to finally own a turbocharged Japanese car, then heads toward the showroom and test it.  Do however note the engine is so new, and it could take time for local dealer to get familiar with how to service and repair the car.  The engine has not proven itself yet in our ground of hot and humid weather, is it worth the rush to own one?  I would personally wait till Honda resolve all issues (if any) before embarking on the new turbocharged unit.  Maybe the 1.8-litre is the best choice for now!