2010 Perodua Nautica Review
Price
RM89,900
Installment
RM862/mth
2010 Perodua Nautica at a glance
The 2010 Perodua Nautica is much improved over its predecessor, the Perodua Kembara, in terms of looks and interior room. But the 2010 Perodua Nautica brings too little value to justify the price tag. Not to mention that the Toyota Rush is cheaper yet bigger.
2010 Perodua Nautica quick specs
| Body Style | SUV |
| Class | Mid-size Utility |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
2010 Perodua Nautica ratings (overall rating : 3/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
As the Perodua version of the short-wheelbase Daihatsu Terios/Toyota Rush, the 2010 Perodua Nautica looks identical to the two, but for a different front bumper and grille, and of course the Perodua badge. Compared to the Perodua Kembara, the Perodua Nautica has grown in every direction, giving it road presence its predecessor never had.
Handling
The 2010 Perodua Nautica handles like the Toyota Rush, meaning safe, predictable but hardly dynamic handling. The high centre of gravity, bulk and weight, plus limited grip see to that. While twisty roads are not ideal for the Perodua Nautica, highways are as high-speed cruising feels planted. Even with full-time 4WD and Centre Differential Lock (CDL), which locks the front and rear axles to rotate at the same speed, we do not expect the 2010 Perodua Nautica to survive any serious off-roading; the 4WD is really meant for better stability on slippery surfaces such as wet roads.
Comfort
Compared to its Toyota twin, the 2010 Perodua Nautica rides more pliantly over bumps, and provides a quieter cruising environment as engine, road and wind noise is well kept-out. The driver sits in a high, commanding position and gets seat-height adjustments, but the steering wheel is only tilt-adjustable. Similar to the Perodua Myvi's cabin layout, key controls are logically placed and easy to use, while seats are comfortable even for longer trips.
Quality + Reliability
Being a Japanese import, the 2010 Perodua Nautica has good build quality, apparent from how well the dash items are put together. However, the 2010 Perodua Nautica's steering wheel feels low-rent compared to the leather-wrapped version found in the Toyota Rush. Since most parts are sourced from Japan, the underlying mechanics such as the engine and transmission should stand the test of time with little problems.
Performance
The 2010 Perodua Nautica uses the same 1.5-litre engine found in the Toyota Rush and Toyota Avanza. The DOHC, 16-valve petrol engine with DVVT produces 107 bhp at 6000 rpm and 141 Nm at 4400 rpm. On the roads, the 1.5-litre has to be worked hard to reach and maintain higher speeds. And while the four-speed automatic gearbox shifts smoothly, it can be rather slow to react in certain scenarios.
Roominess
Any Perodua Kembara owner can attest to the tremendous interior room improvement the 2010 Perodua Nautica brings. There is notably more shoulder room with the increased width. Front and rear occupants should have no complaints with the generous head- and leg-room. Boot space is more than adequate at 380 litres, and the rear seats can 60:40 split-fold for more space and flexibility. The side-hinged tailgate may restrict access in tight areas, though.
Running Costs
The fuel economy returns an average of 10.3 km/litre, a modest figure not helped by the full-time 4WD. Servicing bills should be reasonable; it is the potential depreciation that worries us. The Perodua badge does not help in this aspect, even if it should not matter to those who knows the 2010 Perodua Nautica to be a completely built-up unit (CBU) from Japan. The main problem is the similar but bigger Rush that wears a Toyota badge. Between the two, it is not hard to opt for the latter.
Value for Money
The Nautica is Perodua's first completely built-up unit (CBU) ever. But can the Perodua-badged Japanese import justify the huge (for a Perodua) price tag? In our opinion, no. The Perodua brand, while improving, is still associated with locally-made, more affordable cars. More importantly, the 2010 Perodua Nautica's abilities do not reflect its price. Toyota selling the similar but bigger and cheaper Indonesia-made Rush in Malaysia further makes the situation worse.
Equipment
The 2010 Perodua Nautica gets as standard 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rail, multi-info display, power windows, electric side mirrors, reverse sensor, central locking, four speakers, radio and CD-changer. Safety equipment includes dual SRS airbags, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). When compared against the Toyota Rush's equipment, the audio system does without MP3 playback, the gear column is neither gated nor illuminated, and the steering wheel and gear lever are not leather-wrapped.
Environment
Any SUV is less “green” relative to a sedan of the same engine capacity, mainly because of the extra weight. Compared to the seven-seater Toyota Rush, the 2010 Perodua Nautica can only carry five occupants (meaning more pollution per occupant). Moreover, the Perodua Nautica is imported from Japan while the Rush is imported from the nearer Indonesia. Therefore, assuming identical fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions, the 2010 Perodua Nautica is more harmful to the environment.
Live Life Drive Verdict
High, commanding seating position
Good build quality
Loads of interior room and boot space
Engine needs more power
Too little value for the money
Bigger, cheaper Toyota Rush
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