Perodua Bezza
 (3.5/5)
expert rating
 (3.3/5)
owner rating
from RM 461.27 /month
from RM 34,580.00 to RM 49,980.00

Perodua Bezza D42L (2020-Present) Expert Review

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Exterior
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Interior
Date Reviewed
23 September 2022
Performance
Ride & Handling
Comfort
Safety
Space
Value
Overall Rating

The new Perodua Bezza takes the national carmaker to new heights - it's the company's first sedan, and comes with many new toys and even active safety features. There are plenty of cars on the market that are much nicer and better to drive, but if all you want is a traditional sedan with a big boot, your search ends here.

For
  • Strong 1.3 litre Dual VVT-i engine
  • Plenty of space, big boot
  • Active safety features on top models
Against
  • Unrefined manual gearbox
  • Excessive road noise at speed
  • Steering is slow and imprecise
Performance

Both 1.0 litre VVT-i and 1.3 litre Dual VVT-i engines impress with their tractability and willingness to rev; in particular, the larger engine gives the Bezza a surprising amount of vim, thanks to the car's low weight. As with most Peroduas, the Bezza is much better with the smooth, responsive four-speed automatic transmission - the five-speed manual is clunky and has long throws, and the clutch's high bite point makes low-speed manoeuvring a touch difficult.

Ride & Handling

Curiously, the Bezza's ride is surprisingly busy, even on the smallish 14-inch wheels - it never seems to settle down and lacks the cushiness of the Axia. On the other hand, the sedan feels more buttoned-down in the corners, with less roll and a greater resistance to understeer. The steering, however, saps fun out of proceedings by being slow and vague, and is marred by inconsistent weighting - although the turning circle is a city-friendly 4.5 m.

Comfort

The excellent aerodynamics (0.286 Cd) means the Bezza suffers from little wind noise, but what it does suffer from is excessive tyre roar at highway speeds, as well as an annoying high-pitched whine on manual models. The seats are narrow, and the lack of support means that long drives can get tiring, but the rear seats are now angled better for passengers.

Safety

Safety is much improved now with the addition of active safety features such as AEB on the top variants. Airbag count stays at two, however, although there are ISOFIX child seat anchors on the rear seats.

Space

The Axia featured an impressive amount of space for such a small car, but the Bezza takes things to a whole new level - there is as much leg- and elbow room as a Toyota Vios one class above. The boot is a massive 508 litres (despite a full-size spare tyre), and you can fold both 60:40-split rear seats through twin levers conveniently located on the driver's side, so there's no need to go to the other side of the car.

Value

It's very well equipped for a small, affordable sedan, and it does tick many essential boxes most buyers ask for. New safety features make the Bezza a near-perfect sedan, ride and handling aside.