Verdict
The Proton S70 costs RM2,700 less at RM59,800, yet brings a 1.5-litre engine with 118 hp, a 500-litre boot and a wheelbase 102 mm longer than the Ativa’s. That is a lot of metal and luggage capacity for the money. The Ativa answers with 5.3 L/100 km rated consumption, RM20 annual road tax versus RM90, plus autonomous braking with pedestrian detection and lane-keeping steering correction. Pick based on use: the S70 is the stronger long-distance family sedan, while the Ativa makes the better safety-led, lower-tax small SUV choice.
Pick the Perodua Ativa if autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, 5.3 L/100 km rated economy and RM20 road tax matter more than boot space and outright power.
Pick the Proton S70 if you want the lower RM59,800 entry price, 118 hp, a 500-litre boot and rear air-con vents in a larger C-segment sedan.
Key differences
- Price: Perodua Ativa RM62,500; Proton S70 RM59,800.
- Power and torque: Ativa 97 hp/140 Nm; S70 118 hp/150 Nm.
- Dimensions: Ativa 4,065 mm long with a 2,525 mm wheelbase; S70 4,602 mm and 2,627 mm.
- Boot space: Ativa 369 litres; S70 500 litres.
- Fuel tank and road tax: Ativa 36 litres and RM20/year; S70 50 litres and RM90/year.
- Active safety: Ativa has AEB with pedestrian detection and lane-keep assist; S70 has blind-spot monitoring but no AEB or lane-keep assist.
Ativa
- AEB with pedestrian detection and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Rated at 5.3 L/100 km with RM20 annual road tax.
- LED headlamps, automatic high beam and front and rear foglamps.
- RM2,700 dearer despite 21 hp less power.
- 369-litre boot is 131 litres smaller.
- No reverse camera, cruise control or rear air-con vents.
S70
- 118 hp and 150 Nm from its 1.5-litre engine.
- 500-litre boot and 50-litre fuel tank.
- Reverse camera, cruise control, rear air-con vents and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
- No autonomous braking, pedestrian detection or lane-keeping assist.
- Halogen headlamps and no front or rear foglamps.
- RM90 annual road tax is RM70 higher.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM62,500 | RM59,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM20✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged and Intercooled with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC DVVT (i-GT), Port Fuel Injection |
| Capacity | 996 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 97 hp at 6,000 rpm | 118 hp at 6,100 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 140 Nm at 2,400 rpm | 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 71 mm × 83.9 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | D-CVT | 8-speed CVT with Manual Mode |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Akashi Kikai | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.3 L/100 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,065 mm | 4,602 mm |
| Width | 1,710 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,466 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,525 mm | 2,627 mm |
| Weight | 1,020 kg | 1,269 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 369 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/60R16 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/60R16 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 16" Alloy | — |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | — |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion | Electric Power Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | — |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | ISOFIX with Top Tether |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Rear Seat Reminder, All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control | Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning, Door Opening Warning; no AEB/ACC/lane-keep (camera ADAS reserved for 1.5TD Flagship variants) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors with Automatic High Beam | Halogen |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Fabric |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con (Digital Controls with Memory Function) | Manual Air Conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | — |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | — |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Four Speakers | 8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up/Down | Four Windows, Auto Up/Down with Anti-trap |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start with Remote Engine Start |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | — | Cruise Control with Speed Limiter |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 6x free labour servicing |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Ativa & S70 for sale
Ativa vs S70 FAQ
Is the Perodua Ativa or Proton S70 better?
The S70 is better for power, luggage room and rear-seat amenities, with 118 hp and a 500-litre boot. The Ativa is better if active safety and running costs lead your list, thanks to AEB, lane-keep assist, 5.3 L/100 km rated economy and RM20 road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Proton S70 costs RM59,800 and the Perodua Ativa costs RM62,500, so the S70 is RM2,700 cheaper.
Which has the better safety kit?
The Ativa has the more complete forward-facing active safety set: autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, collision warning and lane-keeping steering correction. The S70 counters with blind-spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision warning and door-opening warning, but lacks AEB and lane-keep assist.
