Best Cars in 2021 For First Time Malaysian Buyers

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For most Malaysians, buying their first car can be an exhilarating moment in their life. After all, owning your first vehicle is often seen as a rite of passage into adulthood, no matter where you are in the world.

Still, choosing the first car to buy isn’t as easy or straightforward as it might seem. For one, there are plenty of excellent options on the market these days. Malaysians are truly spoilt for choice with a broad selection from local and imported car brands. Besides that, there’s also a wide selection of car types, from compact vehicles to SUVs.

Suppose you’re in that position where you’re thinking of buying your first car. Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will present to you a few of the best cars you could buy in Malaysia.

On top of that, we’ll even start with a few useful tips to consider as you make that journey towards being not just a car driver but a car owner as well.

Let’s get started.

Tips For Choosing Your First Car In Malaysia

When you tell people that you’re planning on buying a car, many of them will give you all sorts of advice. Some are useful pieces of advice, no doubt, but others may be less so. To start things off, let’s look at a few pieces of timeless advice that’s proven useful for Malaysian car buyers 20 years ago and is still helpful today.

Consider Buying A Used Car

First and foremost, always consider buying a used car as your first vehicle. Don’t let people’s opinions or comments discourage you from doing this. The fact of the matter is that Malaysia has an excellent second-hand car market with slightly older, pre-owned models that still have plenty of value to offer.

Buying a used car is a fantastic way of minimising your spending when purchasing your first car in Malaysia. Plus, these days, there are many websites, apps, and startup companies to help you find high-quality, reliable used cars that are much more affordable than new models.

Figure Out What You Can Afford First

When shopping for a car, always start by figuring out your budget. Sure, most people will have to rely on some type of financing to buy their vehicle. However, if you’re able to buy a car using cash, that’s always the best option. That way, you won’t have to worry about making monthly car payments!

Still, there’s nothing wrong with taking out a car loan. But how do you figure out what you can afford? Well, here’s a general rule of thumb: if you need more than five years to pay off that car loan, you might be better off choosing a more affordable model.

Do Your Research!

Always do your research before buying your car! Don’t just read about the model online. Instead, be sure to visit the dealership and look inside the vehicle with your own two eyes. Sit in the driver’s seat and decide if you think it’ll be a good fit for you.

Buy Local!

Lastly, consider buying a local model. Malaysian manufacturers have come a long way and now produce affordable, world-class vehicles. Proton and Perodua are two perfect examples, and they’re a popular choice for many Malaysians wishing to buy their first car.

Best of all, local brands don’t just offer affordable cars. Their spare parts are also usually quite reasonable as well!

Best Car Models For First Time Malaysian Buyers

Okay, let’s get down to business. Here are some car models that would be excellent for first-time car buyers in Malaysia.

Perodua Axia

Earlier, we mentioned going local with brands like Perodua. Well, among the many options under this car brand, the Perodua Axia is a fantastic choice for first-time car buyers. As a five-door hatchback, this car is easy to drive and makes for an excellent city car.

The car comes at various trim levels and typically carries a 1-litre engine. Transmission-wise, we’re looking at options of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.

Proton Saga

No, we’re not talking about the Proton Saga from your parent’s time. Instead, we’re talking about the newer, third-generation version that’s been called the most affordable sedan in Malaysia. 

Unlike the Perodua Axia, the Proton Saga has a longer body and a slightly bigger engine at 1.3-litres. Transmission-wise, this car comes with options of 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, or CVT automatic.

As a sedan, this car has much more room inside to fit more people or cargo than a compact car. Plus, that slightly-larger engine will give you enough power to move around comfortably.

Kia Cerato

Next, we have a car by South Korean manufacturer Kia. This car goes by many names under different brands, but here in Malaysia, it’s known as the Kia Cerato. That is another compact vehicle that’s either a 5-door hatchback or a 4-doors sedan.

Unlike the two previous models, this one is slightly pricier for a first car. Still, if you have the budget for it, this would make an excellent vehicle to drive every day around the city. Plus, there’s also enough room inside to comfortably transport your family to balik kampung during the festive season!

Toyota Yaris

If you prefer something small and from a reliable international brand, there’s the Toyota Yaris. This subcompact car comes with a 1.5-litre engine, paired with a 7-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Don’t let the small size fool you! This model has plenty of room inside and comes with loads of features to offer you great value for money.

Honda HR-V

Some people have always dreamt of owning an SUV as their first car. A full-size SUV may be quite pricey for a first car, but there’s another subcategory that might be to your liking. 

Check out the Honda HR-V, a subcompact crossover SUV that’s much more suited for first-time buyers who don’t want to go all out by purchasing the biggest truck they can find.

Compared to all the cars on this list, the Honda HR-V is slightly higher in its price point than the Toyota Yaris mentioned earlier.

No matter the trim level, this vehicle comes with a 1.8-litre engine and uses a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT).