Launched: 2023 Perodua Axia E 1.0 MT – New Axia 'Rahmah', From RM22K

Perodua has launched perhaps the most affordable new car in Malaysia today, in the form of the 2023 Perodua Axia E. Not to be confused with the new DNGA-based Perodua Axia D74A launched earlier this year, this Axia ‘Rahmah’ is a rebooted previous-gen model that offers lower-income folks the chance to own a new vehicle at a very affordable price.

The Axia E's 1.0-litre 3-cyl 1KR-VE engine (left) is truly a reliable workhorse

Based on the previous-gen Axia launched back in 2014, the new Axia E employs the same 1.0-litre 3-cyl petrol mill as any other Axia models we’ve seen before. Only available with a 5-speed manual gearbox, this Axia ‘Rahmah’ outputs 67 HP and 95 NM. Aside from being the most affordable new car in the market, this powertrain also makes the Axia E the most frugal non-electrified new car on the fuel economy front.

The new 2023 Perodua Axia E 1.0 MT

Visually, the new Axia E looks exactly like the previous model. Being a baseline variant, you won't find either a stylish bodykit or fancy wheels. Instead, it boasts basic equipment such as the 14-inch steel wheels it rides on, bulb-less side mirrors, and more.

Aside from that, the new Axia E now comes in three colourways choices, those being Ivory White, Glittering Silver, as well as Granite Grey – the latter is a first-time offer to the Axia E variant.

In terms of kit, the Axia E comes standard with two airbags, and drivers also get a seatbelt reminder warning. As expected, there’s a few  key equipment omitted in this model, including the audio system, rear windscreen defogger and wiper, as well as the ABS brakes, with the latter exclusion being the most critical one.

Despite lacking ABS and other electronic safety features, the new Axia E still managed to score a four-star ASEAN-NCAP crash test rating, which was conducted by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS).

The new 2023 Perodua Axia E 1.0 MT is now open for bookings for both personal and fleet orders at just RM22,000 sans insurance. Not only is this cheaper than its 2017 counterpart (RM24,090), it's also cheaper than Perodua’s legendary first supermini, the Perodua Kancil. 

For that price, Perodua President and CEO Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad claims the new Axia E will cost as low as RM300 per month on a standard hire-purchase agreement, based on the marque’s discussions with local financial institutions.

Perodua President & CEO Dato' Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad

“Through our discussions with local financial institutions, we found that it takes only RM300 per month to pay the hire purchase cost of owning the Axia E. This is the same, if not similar, cost for somebody to buy a brand-new motorcycle on hire purchase,” said the Perodua boss. 

More importantly, Dato’ Sri Zainal also said that the firm is now looking into other possible ownership schemes besides traditional hire purchase or outright cash buys. This, however, greatly depend on the Axia E’s market reception and customers’ feedback.

Perodua Chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin (right), checking out the new Axia E

Perodua targets deliver up to 1,500 units of the Axia ‘Rahmah’ per month for both personal and fleet orders. To date, Perodua has registered over 606,756 units of the Axia since its 2014 market debut. Said figures include deliveries of the next-gen model launched back in Feb this year too.

So folks, what are your thoughts on this new 2023 Perodua Axia E 1.0 MT? Do you think the Axia ‘Rahmah’ has a price tag is low enough for the low-income masses to purchase? Is the level of equipment offered sufficient? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…