Perodua Myvi

The Perodua Myvi is a B-segment five-door hatchback produced by Malaysia's second national carmaker, Perodua, and is widely regarded as Malaysia's quintessential "national car". First introduced on 25 May 2005, the model is now in its third generation and has achieved phenomenal success in the Malaysian market courtesy of its accessible pricing, exceptional fuel efficiency, and generous cabin space. As of the end of 2024, cumulative sales of the Myvi nameplate have surpassed 1,559,000 units. The model currently on sale is the third-generation facelift introduced in 2022.

Design Language

The first-generation Myvi (2005) was built on the Toyota Passo/Daihatsu Boon platform, with exterior dimensions measuring 3,630 mm in length, 1,665 mm in width, and 1,550 mm in height. The second-generation Myvi (2011) was comprehensively restyled inside and out by Perodua, sporting sharper lighting units and more dynamic character lines. The third-generation Myvi (2017) marked the first time the design was led entirely by Perodua's in-house styling team (under project code D20N), establishing a distinctive, homegrown design identity for the brand.

The currently marketed third-generation Myvi facelift received significant visual enhancements, led by a reprofiled front grille highlighted with gloss piano black trim. The headlight internals were also completely redesigned, stepping up from the pre-facelift's partial LED setup to full-LED headlights across the range for improved illumination and presence. It measures 3,895 mm in length, 1,735 mm in width, and 1,515 mm in height, riding on a 2,500 mm wheelbase. At the rear, distinctive LED light guides combined with a roof-mounted spoiler give the hatchback a sharper, more youthful profile. Inside, the facelifted cabin gains a redesigned steering wheel with expanded multifunction switchgear. The central infotainment display was enlarged from 6.2 inches to 6.9 inches, while the air-con vents feature variant-specific red or silver trim surrounds.

Powertrain and Performance

The Perodua Myvi is offered with two naturally aspirated petrol engine choices: 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre. The 1.3L variant is powered by the 1NR-VE Dual VVT-i four-cylinder engine producing 94 hp at 6,000 rpm and 121 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The 1.5L model runs the 2NR-VE Dual VVT-i four-cylinder unit delivering 102 hp at 6,000 rpm and 136 Nm at 4,000 rpm. A key upgrade in the 2022 facelift was the replacement of the venerable four-speed torque-converter automatic (4AT) with a D-CVT (Dual-Mode Continuously Variable Transmission) across the entire range. Following this driveline update, rated fuel consumption stands at 22.2 km/L for the 1.3L engine and 21.1 km/L for the 1.5L engine. Aided by a dedicated steering-mounted Power Mode button, the 1.5L version dispatches the 0–100 km/h sprint in 10.2 seconds.

Chassis and Handling

The Myvi employs a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FF) configuration. Its suspension setup features MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam layout at the rear, a class-typical setup optimised for city agility. Steering is managed via an Electric Power Steering (EPS) rack, providing a nimble turning radius of just 4.8 metres. Braking hardware consists of front ventilated discs paired with rear drum brakes. The hatchback has a kerb weight of approximately 975 kg and a ground clearance of 160 mm.

Cabin and Equipment

Standard kit across the Myvi line-up includes full-LED headlamps (with auto-off and follow-me-home delay functions), LED tail lamps, keyless entry, and push-start ignition. The dashboard houses an infotainment head unit supporting radio and USB playback, while higher-grade trims are upgraded to a full-colour touchscreen unit supporting Smart Link smartphone mirroring. Seat upholstery is fabric on the lower-spec variants, stepping up to two-tone black and red leather on the flagship 1.5AV variant. The 60:40 split-folding rear bench expands standard boot space from 277 litres to 832 litres. Digital air conditioning controls are fitted as standard across all variants.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Safety remains a major hallmark of the third-generation Myvi. Engineered with a substantial proportion of 590 MPa high-tensile steel, the hatchback holds a full 5-Star ASEAN NCAP safety rating. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), and ABS with EBD are standard across the range. Airbag protection includes 4 airbags (dual front and front sides) on 1.3L variants, rising to 6 airbags on 1.5L trims. The 2022 facelift upgraded the active safety suite from ASA 2.0 to ASA 3.0, which comes standard on all variants except the entry-level 1.3G Basic. The ASA 3.0 system bundles Pre-Collision Warning (PCW), Pre-Collision Braking (PCB, detecting cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians), Front Departure Alert (FDA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Furthermore, the range-topping 1.5L variant adds Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC, active from 30 to 125 km/h), making the Myvi one of the most accessible ACC-equipped vehicles in the Malaysian market upon introduction.

Market Performance and Reception

Since its launch in 2005, the Myvi has enjoyed stellar commercial success in Malaysia. The first-generation model quickly captured the mass market with its frugality and space efficiency, clinching the ASEAN Autocar Car of the Year award in its debut year. The second-generation model promptly reclaimed segment leadership, achieving a peak monthly volume of 8,447 units. The third-generation iteration generated an impressive 6,000 bookings within just 24 hours of its official unveiling. In full-year 2025, Perodua sold 72,724 units of the Myvi, ranking as the third best-selling passenger car in Malaysia. In January 2026, the Myvi registered 4,819 deliveries, placing fourth overall. The Myvi's enduring appeal stems from its accessible price point (with base pricing under RM40,000), reliable and frugal powertrains, roomy and practical interior packaging, extensive service network and strong resale values, along with localised chassis tuning geared specifically for Malaysian road and climate conditions. In addition to being a dominant household staple domestically, the Myvi has also been exported to several overseas markets; its well-rounded product strengths solidify its reputation as Malaysia's definitive "national car".