Full Road Test Perodua Myvi

Full Road Test

If you experience a sense of déjà vu when you see the Perodua Myvi, it's easily explained. No, you don't have extra-sensory powers to see into the future, but you are likely to have seen this car before - just with a different set of badges. The Myvi is Perodua's take on the Daihatsu Sirion, which itself shares the bulk of its bits with the Subaru Justy. To cap it all, all three are based on a pint-pot Toyota, though this model is not sold in Europe.

With those other companies in its credentials, there's no doubt the Myvi is the car to shake off Perodua's cheap and cheerless image in the UK. We've no doubt it will be a reliable helper when it comes to getting about, but it's a shame Perodua doesn't have quite the same confidence to endow it with anything more than a 36,000-mile, three-year warranty. This is all the stranger when Daihatsu and Subaru provide cover for 60,000 miles. Still, the Myvi is well put together, though some of the interior plastics are hard, shiny and missing the visual charm of several other rivals. Given how much Perodua charges for the Myvi, there are also no excuses on the grounds of this car being in the bargain-basement price range. For the same money as the Myvi, there are some brilliant city cars and superminis available, including the Fiat Panda and Ford Fiesta.

For the money, Perodua includes a fair amount of standard luxury gear, covering air-conditioning, CD stereo, electric windows all round, remote central locking, rear parking sensors, metallic paint and electrically adjusted door mirrors. Not on the menu, however, are side or curtain airbags, as only driver and passenger 'bags are fitted. There are also no alloy wheels on offer or sunroof of any description. On the upside, Perodua buyers can choose the EZi model to have a four-speed automatic gearbox instead of the SXi's five-speed manual. Unless you really cannot drive without the aid of an auto, we reckon you're much better off with the manual as the self-shifter dents performance, economy and emissions. The 1.3-litre petrol engine serves up reasonable performance when coupled to the manual gearbox and returns a decent, if unspectacular for the class, 48.7mpg combined economy. The EZi auto comes in at 44.1mpg, with 151g/km carbon dioxide emissions to the manual's 137g/km. Again, neither sets the class alight. It's much the same with how the Myvi drives. Around town, it has light steering and a good turning circle, which makes it a cinch to feed through narrow gaps and to park. The high-set driving position also gives a good view out and it's easy to judge where the car's extremities lie. Head beyond the city limits and the Myvi is much less at home. On the motorway, there's too much road, wind and engine noise for anyone but the most committed owner to contemplate a long journey, while country roads show up the dull handling. There's not too much body lean, but the Myvi misses the grip and balance of a Fiat Panda, and the Perodua's suspension soon looses its composure on rut-strewn roads.

Some compensation comes in the Myvi's surprisingly spacious cabin. Thanks to its tall sides and seats that put its occupants in a comfortable, upright position, there's good head and legroom. The steering wheel only adjusts for angle, but the driver's seat moves for height, so a good driving position is easily attained by most users. Rear seats space is good and the small boot is unhindered by intrusions to make the most of its 255-litre capacity. Fold the 60/40 split rear seats and you have up to 630 litres of cargo space. The Myvi also rewards with low running costs thanks to group 6 insurance and cheap servicing, but it must be remembered that it will not hold its value as dependably as some of its competition. Still, once you're over the feeling of déjà vu, you're not likely to encounter another Perodua Myvi on the road.