I'm considering upgrading from my aging Proton Persona to a compact SUV, which will primarily be used for city driving (around 90% of the time). Here are my thoughts on a few options:

Perodua Ativa: Not a fan of this one.

Honda WR-V: I like it the most, but I find the lack of modern features disappointing, especially given the price.

Mazda CX-3: It’s the best to drive among the options, but the rear seats are too cramped for my liking.

Toyota Yaris Cross: Not coming into Malaysia?


Will there be other options in 2025 to look for?

Rather than WRV, why not go for HRV lowest spec?

1.5NA engine, comes with ADAS and all the safety features. 1.5NA engine is easier to maintain also.

More practical, with magic seats. Spacious interior than all the options above.

With discount, the price is close to 100k

This post has been edited by BL98: Jan 10 2025, 04:03 PM

Ativa is the most practical choice for city driving.

CX-3 a bit long in the tooth… tbh.

HRV is a good option.

ativa is the best of buck. Affordable, decent features for the price, practical

Comes with steering rack issues...

HR-V and Proton X50/X70 are not in my list because they are too big, I prefer a small SUV.

Perodua should be facelifting the Ativa this year. Should have AA and AC by then, electronic parking brake with stop and go cruise and possible radar based ADAS too. I have an Ativa, going to be 4 years soon. Very nimble and quick city car. Very eager to move at low rpm. The WRV is overly priced with less specification. Other than that, if Yaris Cross comes, that should be the best in the list especially the hybrid version but it should be around 110-120K under Toyota and maybe 85K under Perodua.

Compact SUV almost equates to throwing spacious rear seats out of the equation. If you are ferrying at most 2 - 3 people, then you may continue your search in the compact SUV category. If not, its advisable for you to look else where.

This post has been edited by rayeonlee: Jan 10 2025, 05:22 PM

Toyota Yaris Cross or Perodua D66b Nexis is going to launch this year. I would wait for that

Nissan Kicks? I think the size just nice, and the hybrid tech is one of the best as well. Considering your use case of 90% city driving, this may be the best option

the only cons is Tan Chong and Nissan as a brand lol... not sure what is their future direction

+ the design is nothing to excite about

also you didnt mention your max budget? Is EV in your consideration as well?

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Jan 10 2025, 05:57 PM

Personally if you ask me, city rides higher performance engine like Mazda actually is a waste and more annoying. I know a lot of people gonna bash, but try Mazda skyactive engine (CX-3/30 or Mazda 2/3) driving very slow in traffic jam situation, if your sensitive person you will notice a lot of knocking or small vibration accur at low RPM due to higher compression engine. Mazda engine got good hp numbers and 6AT but in reality those can only excel on highway higher speeds and not low rpm driving.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Jan 10 2025, 05:57 PM

I try to keep my budget below RM100k, but could stretch a bit more for hybrid.

Not interested in EV.

didn't notice any in mine during traffic jam. but you are right, just that this applies to any NA engine only car

for city driving only hybrid and ev excels in efficiency

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Jan 10 2025, 06:09 PM

maybe you could check out deals for Nissan Kicks if you don't mind it.... not sure if can get within 100k

i wanted to say corolla cross hybrid as well but that one you need at least 120k even with rebates

if not your only choice left is wait for Yaris Cross hybrid or the Perodua equivalent to launch

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Jan 10 2025, 06:04 PM

For city ride most of time.. 3 pot gonna make u missed the persona later on.

X50 and Aruz?

Not many options since you mentioned HRV/X50 is too large for you.

Maybe wait for Perodua Nexis (if it does gets launch this year) or the Chery Tiggo 4.

from persona if u upgrade to wrv, tats not an upgrade. at most same level only

wrv even smaller in terms of interior space compared to myvi

in terms of boot space and passenger space

suggest if u got kids, directly go to hrv spec kosong, even spec kosong it comes with full honda safety features

Add Mitsubishi X-Force into your list.

HRV and X50 not in your list but you consider Yaris Cross? They are about the same size.