Malaysia buyer attitude, for small car with high prices tag (90k-100k).
Small family will choose Alza with half prices.
Some prefer top up for Serena.
Hipster will go for Wish/Stream/alphard.

btw Malaysian not really in to MPV, especially small MPV with no status but expensive prices tags.

Takpe. Janji boleh park kat green car parking.

I am shopping for mini-mpv, after test drive, sitting at the back, and price, here is my conclusion:

1) Nissan Serena Hybrid
Spacious
Battery need to change 2 batteries every year or two, if you lucky, 3 years.

2) Proton Exora
3rd Row seat sucks. Even my 5 years old daughter feel cramp.

3) Perodua Alza
No rear air-cond, size wise feels smaller. perhaps due to design even though the size is same as Sienta.

4) Honda Freed
No rear air-cond

5) Honda BRV
3rd Row Bumpy

6) Perodua Aruz
Looks big but inside actually quite small and tight

7) Toyota Sienta
Underpower. Wind Noise when I sit at 3rd row.

All in all, I choose Sienta due to its practicality. Since I am carrying my 2 kids (which need car seat), so it is very comfy for the kids. Besides that, the function of keeping 1 3rd row seat underneath meaning I can carry one person at 3rd row and some space to put my baggage when balik kampung. Most of the cars mentioned above fold the 3rd row totally.

Ertiga has split 3rd row seat as well and the seats are proper sized for adults. The only downside is when 3rd row seats are up, you have literally no luggage space lol.

Ertiga not in my list due to problems between Proton and Suzuki. Other than that, I do look at Ertiga before realise the problems.

Serena 3rd row is split, and fold up to the side to park a Honda EX5.

all those that recommend nissan serena got no idea how vulnerable of the lousy cvt which need thousands of ringgit to repair.

On my list before. But no more sale.

In the end Avanza.

Avanza, kinda jumpy.

eyeing Nissan serena E power, wondering Tan Chong group will bring it into malaysia or not

It has indeed surprised me because it was bought 2nd hand where the previous owner said it was “temperamental” and indeed it was as warning lights would come on for no reason at all.

Fugly? Well I actually don’t drive it and to be frank all that have to drive it don’t really care either as they’re grateful the wheelchair can RORO rather than needing to remove the patient from the wheel chair and then loading the patient onto the wheelchair again at destination.

That does make sense.


Good to see this reply.

Has it held up well and to your expectations?

How’s the fuel consumption like?

That’s a definite concern, to be honest unless it’s a Honda, Toyota or Subaru, it should be avoided if problem free is what you’re after. Heat, load and torque are its main enemies.

I cannot comment much on fuel consumption. Since I got it during MCO period, and hardly drive. Drove a 2 hour journey back to hometown once after MCO lifted, and looks good so far.

So far, I am still quite happy with the functions available. The 3rd row a bit small after put the kid's car booster, but still ok.