Facelift

The Axia received first facelift update on 20 January 2017 with the new 1.0-litre VVT-i engine. The same four variants remained on sale. The facelift brought along revised front grill and bumpers, an external boot release and revised equipment list.^[17]

On 20 September 2019, the second-facelifted Axia was launched with six variants: E, G, GXtra, crossover-inspired Style, SE and AV. Only E variant has manual transmission while the rest have automatic transmissions with ABS and EBD. The 1KR-VE engine also retained. At this facelift, both SE and AV variants share similar appearance with E, G and GXtra variants with few trim differences. New safety features are fitted such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) for GXtra variant and upwards, and Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 (ASA 2.0) was available only on range-topping AV variant. Other features such as retractable side mirrors, reverse sensors, driver seat height adjuster and anti-snatch hook are fitted for GXtra variant and upwards also.^[18]

The crossover-inspired Style variant differs from other variants with SUV-style bumpers, decorative roof rails, different grille and clear tail lamps. The Style, together with SE and AV variants have keyless entry, push start button and white-illuminated meter panel as additional standard features.^[19]

With the second-generation Axia was launched on 14 February 2023, the previous-generation Axia E equipped with manual transmission will continue to be built as an entry-level option.^[20] The updated Axia E manual was reintroduced on 15 June 2023 as Malaysia's cheapest car priced at RM22,000 (about $4,770). It uses the 2017 facelift grille on the front while the 2019 facelift styling retained on the rear portion of the bumper.^[21]

2017 first facelift styling

• 
  Front (G)
• 
  Front (Advance)
• 
  Rear (Advance)

2019 second facelift styling

• 
  Front (E)
• 
  Rear (GXtra)
• 
  Front (SE)

Axia Style

• 
  Front
• 
  Side
• 
  Rear

Safety

In a 2014 testing under 2012–2016 ASEAN NCAP standards, the first-generation Axia received a 4-star rating.^[22]

2014 Perodua Axia^[22]

	Score	Rating
Adult Occupant Protection	12.91/16.00
Child Occupant Protection	34.62/49.00	71%
Overall

At launch, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and Brake assist (BA) were equipped on the SE and Advance variant while the more affordable Standard E and Standard G variant were not equipped with the aforementioned features. The Axia is equipped with 2 airbags for all variants.^[1]

For 2016, the Standard G variant gained ABS with EBD and BA.^[23]

In September 2019, all models of the refreshed Axia except the Standard E and Standard G variant now gets vehicle stability control. Airbag count remains at 2 across the board. The range-topping Advance variant now features the Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 (ASA 2.0) which debuted in the Perodua Aruz, which includes Forward Collision Warning with pedestrian detection, Automatic Emergency Braking (operative from speeds of 4–80 km/h), Pedal Misoperation Control and Front Departure Alert, which alerts the driver of the vehicle in front has proceeded ahead, e.g. from a traffic light.

Powertrains

The pre-facelift Perodua Axia was offered with one petrol engine, the 998cc 12-valve DOHC 1KR-DE2 l3, sourced from Toyota and Daihatsu but redesigned by Perodua.^[24] The new 1.0 litre engine offers 66 hp (49 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 90 Nm (66 lb ft) of torque at 3,600 rpm. It is Perodua's first engine to be made with aluminium parts, which are lighter than their cast iron equivalents and it is the first to use drive by wire technology. As a result, the new 1KR-DE2 engine weighs 69 kg, or 10 kg less than the old 989cc EJ-VE engine in the Perodua Viva.^[11] Unlike the 1KR-FE engine, The 1KR-DE2 in the Axia is not equipped with Toyota's Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) technology. The new engine is also Euro IV compliant.^[11]

The 1KR-DE2 1.0L engine in the Axia is paired to a choice of two transmissions, a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic respectively. Perodua claims that the Axia is capable of achieving up to 21.6 km/L with the manual, and 20.1 km/L with the automatic while in ‘ECO Mode’.^[24] All Axias will come equipped with an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system for greater ease of steering, in addition to improved fuel-efficiency.^[25]

The Perodua Axia became the first car to qualify under Malaysia's 2014 National Automotive Policy (NAP) Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) fuel-efficiency standards on its late 2014 launch.^[26]

The facelift versions of the Perodua Axia gained Toyota's Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) in the form of the 1KR-VE engine.

Safety

In a testing conducted in January 2023, the second generation Axia received four stars in ASEAN NCAP crash testing.^[37]

Advanced Safety Assist or (A.S.A.) includes:

• PCW (Pre-Collision Warning)
• PCB (Pre-Collision Braking)
• PMC (Pedal Misoperation Control)
• FDA (Front Departure Alert)

2023 Perodua Axia SE (2 airbags)

ASEAN NCAP scores[38]
Overall stars / Score		73.55
Adult occupant	25.65/32.00
Child occupant	43.43/51.00
Safety assist	16.50/21.00
Motorcyclist safety	7.00/16.00

Safety Features [N 1]
Model Year	2023 – present
Variant	G	X	SE	AV
Market
ABS + EBD + BA	✔
VSC + TRC + HSA
Advance Safety Assist (A.S.A)	✘			✔
Airbag	2 (Front)			6 (Front, Side, Curtain)

Side collision test manipulation

On 28 April 2023, Daihatsu confirmed that the company had committed "wrongdoings" in approval application for side collision tests under UN-R95 requirements^[39] for four vehicles, including the A300 series Perodua Axia which was developed by the company. According to Daihatsu, the inside lining of the front seat door was improperly modified with a "notch" to prevent the part from breaking into pieces with sharp edges that could injure occupants during a side airbag deployment. These modifications are not present in production vehicles. 11,834 units of the model that has been delivered in Malaysia are affected. In response, Perodua suspended deliveries until the vehicles are re-tested.^[40][41]