While the Axia is newer, newer does not mean better. In fact, in some ways the Axia is worse than the Kelisa. Do note that the Axia replaced the Viva and the Viva replaced the Kelisa.

I’ll start going through a list that’s in no particular order in ways that the Axia is worse than the Kelisa.

1 - Roof linear
The roof linear in the Kelisa is easier to clean and the feel is better.

2 - Boot lid release and fuel filler cap release
It’s all about the position. Since both cars don’t have exterior boot release, it makes more sense for the boot release and the fuel filler cap to be in between the two front seats opposed to by the right side of the driver seat. A smarter lever position allows for other passengers to easier access the boot.
*facelift axia has exterior boot release but not pre-facelift model.

3 - Gauges
While the facelift Kelisa gauge cluster graphics in my own opinion aren’t are as great as the pre-facelift Kelisa or the Axia, at least the gauge cluster can be viewed from the back seat and for those who must have a temperature gauge, there’s one in the Kelisa and not one in the Axia.

4 - Air conditioning controls
Simply put the controls are easier to operate in the Kelisa. My fingers can more easily grip the knobs in the Kelisa compared to the knobs in the Axia where I do have issues gripping the knob. Though illumination is better in the Axia.

5 - Boot
The Axia’s boot may be larger but there's a load lip. Something that is not present in the Kelisa.

6 - Horn
To sound the horn, there’s dedicated buttons in the Kelisa which is easier to locate while it is relatively hard to locate, especially for new drivers in the Axia.

7 - Glove box
The glove box is not only larger in the Kelisa, it is also better shaped. The Axia glove box is shaped with an arch to flow with the dashboard design which allows me to hit my right knee on the right corner to easily. A problem I don’t face in a Kelisa. Though I don't like how the glove box includes supprt for the owners manual in the Kelisa.

8 - Rear headrest
Both cars rear headrest are completely useless for me and in both cars. My head is left unsupported. However the headrest in the Axia protrude out and contributes to the Axia uncomfortable characteristics. In the Kelisa, the headrest does not get in the way.

9 - Dashboard layout
The Axia dashboard starting from the top has two large aircon vents flowing to a double din headunit, a small compartment by the 12v socket, then a void of nothing and two cup holders. In the Kelisa, the air con vents are not ridiculously large followed by more usable air con controls, a single din radio, a small compartment by a dedicated clock, two cup holders and another compartments. On a side note, underneath the handbrake in the Axia is a near useless space while the Kelisa is better as there’s no dedicated space.

10 - Less dull, brighter cabin
The rear door cards in the Axia are like 3/10 window, 7/10 black plastic door card. Even in Axia models with fabric inserts, the fabric inserts are black. In contrast, the Kelisa rear door card is ½ window, ½ door card which is like 20% black and 80% light color fabric. The fabric can get stained but with the fact of larger window, the cabin feels more brighter.

11 - Floor
While seating in the rear seats, the Axia has more space but interestingly has a hump in the floor which makes stretching my legs unnecessary uncomfortable. A problem that does not exist in the Kelisa.

Lastly, I want to mention ways that no improvements have taken place. In both cars, there’s a noticeable delay in the rear sensors, the rear seat headrests are useless for me, the parcel shelf is finished in a stupid material, there’s no exterior boot release and there’s no ABS.
*ABS is only available on selected Axia models

Thank you for reading.

This post has been edited by dylan_chng: Jun 29 2019, 11:23 PM

If I wasn't lazy, I would add pictures to illustrate the difference or even make a video, but I am lazy and decided to simply post it on the lowyat forum.

I want to add that my mother used to have a Kelisa before she traded it in for an Axia. Also, more recently I follow a friend who drives a Kelisa.
I prefer sitting in my friend's Kelisa than in my mother's current Axia.

Also, as you may know, the resale value of the Kelisa is ridiculously good. I was looking at used examples the other day and realised that one could get a Myvi for the same price as a Kelisa. Even the Kenari from some period of time depreciate more. It's not hard to find out why the Kelisa resale value is good and I think it has all the reason to remand desirable.

This post has been edited by dylan_chng: Jun 29 2019, 11:29 PM

Thanks for your post, pretty much sums up my view of the Kelisa. Owned one for 15 years before selling early this year for RM7,500. Which helped with the down payment for the current car.

Pretty much a happy with the Kelisa.

Dam man, now you made me sad remenising about it

miss my kelisa

My in-laws did pretty much the same, traded a 5MT Kelisa for a 4AT top-of-the-line Axia.

I'll say the Kelisa is a far more fun car to drive with it's nippy handling and responsive drivetrain, but the Axia's NVH is without a doubt superior than Kelisa.

I remember wanting to borrow the Kelisa to drive to Penang, because my then daily-driver, a Iswara, seem to acting up. I drove no further than 20km before returning the car because I would rather risk my Iswara breaking down halfway than to tolerate the Kelisa's NVH for a 4-5 hours trip. I'm not saying it would be entirely comfortable to do the same trip in the Axia, but at least it is not unbearable.

I do miss the Kelisa because driving it is such a riot. But Axia is a more modern and mature, if boring, successor.

Kelisa doesn't even have the most basic safety feature like airbags and ABS, no?

No matter how much you praise the Kelisa, a car without any safety features nowadays is like a moving coffin.

This post has been edited by xperiaDROID: Jun 30 2019, 01:18 PM

I'll try to answer this as i have experience also with both these vehicles and i keep track of automotive trends.

This post has been edited by netmatrix: Jun 30 2019, 04:23 PM

thank you for your input. much appericated.

The Kelisa is similar to the Axia where there's a wooden boot floor on top of a full size spare tyre. The difference is that on top of the spare tire in the Kelisa, where the floor is, is at the same level as the boot openning. However in the Axia, on top of the spare tire, where the floor is, is quite lower than the boot openning. I don't mind having some lip for safety, but the lip in the Axia is a bit too much in my own opinion.

The Kelisa in the UK has two front airbags and have the same glovebox design.

i had a kenari before which shares the same suspension with the kelisa, i recalled the ride comfort was horrible, i don't own an axia now but i often sat in one at the back whenever i called for grabcar, i felt the ride comfort for the axia (bezza as well) is way much better than my former kenari, in fact, i dare say it is even better than my current alza, and i am talking about the ride comfort at the rear seats, most cars' ride comfort are about the same at the front these days but it's the rear seats that makes the difference

I believed viva replaced kancil, axia replaced viva.. Kelisa no replacement or kancil and kelisa replace by viva

The kancil was the 3rd generation Daihatsu Mira, whereas the Kelisa was the 5th generation Mira, so technically Kelisa is the successor of the Kancil. (Viva was the 7th generation)

But Perodua being Perodua, they kept selling the Kancil even after Kelisa was launched, and sold the Kelisa on a higher price bracket. Viva would later replaced the both of them.

This post has been edited by dares: Jun 30 2019, 11:45 PM

for me, this is just a minor issue.

and for the gauge...the priority is towards the driver...not the passenger.

are u implying that the best car is the ageing kelisa? goodluck.

Oooo now I know.. Tqtq

I'm not implying the Kelisa is better than the Axia. I'm just stating a few elements of the Axia that I feel have gotten worse compared to the Axia's predecessor predecessor.

This post has been edited by dylan_chng: Jul 1 2019, 10:06 AM

so..what's the point of this thread anyway? or just kelisa appreciation thread? the only plus point i like abt kelisa is the handling.

I just wanted to share my thoughts on some aspects where Perodua has made things worse.

nothing much perodua can do. the car came from daihatsu/toyota. not much changes from the original one.

When you drive a car, all these does not matter

1 - Roof linear is easy to clean
2 - Boot lid release and fuel filler cap release well placedft model.
3 - Gauges looks betterrature gauge, there’s one in the Kelisa and not one in the Axia.
4 - You can adjust control air conditioning every 15 min
5 - Boot is smaller or bigger
6 - Horn is louder
7 - Glove box larger
8 - Rear headrest nice
9 - Dashboard layout pleasing
10 - Less dull, brighter cabin
11 - Floor is flatter

Yes. You look at these thing when you want to buy and then forget about them once you bought the car.

these things may not apply to the driver, but me personally, I feel like they do matter for passengers.