 | Perodua MYVI |
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MY, MY, MY...
Cheap Cars Don't Necessarily Have To Be Nasty. Andy Enright Drives The Perodua Myvi And Comes Away Impressed
Each year the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) runs an event at the Millbrook Proving Ground near Bedford. It's an opportunity for the press to drive a few cars they've yet to sample, to catch up with PR people from the car makers and to gorge themselves stupid on as many cakes, muffins and savoury comestibles as they can lever into their mouthpart over the course of seven hours. Rarely does the SMMT day offer the chance to drive a vehicle making its UK debut. The 2006 event was different, however, as we got our first look at Perodua's Myvi.
While queues formed amongst young journalists for the chance to punt a Porsche around the Hill Route or to wind a Jaguar XK up round the banked bowl, the unprepossessing Myvi was being largely overlooked. Having availed myself of both the blueberry and the chocolate muffins at Perodua's expense, followed by a cappuccino and a pocket full of sweets for later, I decided it was my journalistic duty to drive cars from every corner of the market. If this meant forgoing a blat in a 911, so be it. With an inflated sense of motoring martyrdom, I signed the disclaimer form and headed off to the City Circuit in the Myvi 1.3 SXi.
My first impressions were almost entirely favourable. Yes, you could detect a vaguely petrochemical whiff when you got into the Myvi but the interior was very nicely finished for a car in this class. A few exposed screw heads were apparent in the door trims but the fascia looked contemporary and smart, finished as it was in silver contrasting with black and the Myvi was better equipped than most city scoots.
"The Myvi marks a quantum leap forward in the technical sophistication of a Perodua product"
One of my pet hates that often afflicts budget cars is the aftermarket stereo system. What you end up with is often a budget stereo with buttons so small you'd need a magnifying glass and a stylus to operate them. Even worse are those with dancing graphics. I once drove a car with a head unit that drove me to distraction with what looked to be mating dolphins and no matter what I tried, wouldn't switch off. The Myvi is a welcome change to this odious trend, with an inbuilt strip display and simple, big buttons that even a Luddite like me can operate easily. Silver finishes on the steering wheel and the door handles also lift the interior's visual appeal, while textured plastics on the wheel and the dash render a more upmarket feel.
The exterior styling isn't too shabby either and there are some features you'd expect to find on cars at least two classes above. Mercedes-style indicators incorporated into the door mirrors are certainly not standard citycar fare. Likewise, you might take LED tail lights for granted if you've bought a BMW 3 Series but finding them on a Malaysian budget car is a little eyebrow raising. The way the headlamps and the bumper assemblies have been contoured into the panel fit is also not something you'd instantly associate with lowest common denominator motoring. The standard equipment list also includes power steering, anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, air-conditioning, remote central locking, an immobiliser alarm system and front and rear electric windows.
Turn the key and the surprises keep coming. The ride is excellent. The way the suspension soaks up minor imperfections coupled with the nicely oiled feel of the steering system gives the Myvi an expensive feel. I'd go as far as to stick my neck out and say it rides more serenely than an Audi A4. The 1.3-litre engine features Dynamic Variable Valve Timing which helps to maximise both low end torque and top end power while keeping combustion as efficient as possible. Double overhead cams and electronic fuel injection also help to give the Perodua a little pep although it's unlikely you'd plump for the Myvi if you're looking for the sharpest steer in this sector. We'd still recommend you keep saving for a Ford Ka in that instance but the Myvi is nevertheless a decent handler.
The City Course at Millbrook aims to replicate the typical driving environment you'd find in any urban area. It's littered with tight turns to show how the car jinks in and out of traffic and around obstacles, there are many stop and reverse features and nowhere can you attain much more than 30mph, even with the heaviest right boot. In other words it's a very good test of the real thing. There are even surfaces that mirror typically pot-hole speckled city streets and also a fearsome array of sleeping policemen to punish the suspension with. In lieu of testing it in the urban sprawl and crawl, this is the next best thing and the Myvi seemed to cope with the tests admirably.
There was a slight clanging from the rear suspension when subjected to rather brutal treatment over the biggest speed hump, but this sort of driving tends to be reserved for motoring writers, joyriders and paramedics, none of whom would represent the Myvi's target clientele. The gearbox doesn't appreciate being rushed into reverse gear but aside from that, the report card is favourable. The steering rack is adequately quick, front end grip is up to snuff and engine refinement is very good. All round visibility and access to the rear seats is also excellent.
The manual 1.3 SXi was even a bit of fun to hustle through the tighter sections, although for the real city grind, the Myvi 1.3 EZi with four-speed automatic is probably a more satisfying choice. With an overdrive function for when the road opens up, this version is a pleasant, unthreatening hatch that has a lot going for it.
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