The Malaysian auto industry has enjoyed exciting growth in the last year as our economy recovers from the pandemic, and this year looks to be even better. With numerous new car launches expected in 2023, Malaysians look set to be spoilt for choice. From Toyota to Mercedes-Benz, here are the top new cars in Malaysia for 2023.
1. Toyota
One of the biggest car companies in the world, Toyota, has some exciting new car releases in Malaysia for 2023. In February alone, Toyota launched six exciting vehicles with three full-fledged Gazoo Razing (GR) sports cars, two vehicles with the GR Sport trim, and the new-generation Toyota Vios.
3 Manual Sports Cars in A Year?!
The GR86 is the successor to the GT86 that was released in 2012 and comes with a host of improvements including a larger 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine, an overall stiffer chassis, and suspension tuning to make it much more fun.
The GR Corolla, on the other hand, comes with the same 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine as the GR Yaris but with 300 horses under the hood. Plus, it’s only available with a manual gearbox. The GR Supra has been in Malaysia for a few years but it now comes with an optional manual gearbox – something that fans have demanded since the car first came out. Finally, the Supra can be driven how it’s meant to be driven.
Toyota GR Sport Vehicles
Coming to the GR Sport line of vehicles, Toyota launched the Hilux GR Sport and Corolla Cross GR Sport. Both vehicles retain their powertrains with The Hilux GR Sport’s being a 2.8-liter four-cylinder engine and the Corolla Cross GR Sport’s being a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated mill. Both vehicles receive more aggressive styling, GR badging both inside and out, and slight tweaks in the chassis to give them sportier handling.
Finally, the All-New Toyota Vios
Lastly, Toyota has announced the all-new Toyota Vios on 24 February. It’s built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) making it a truly next-generation vehicle. The Vios is called the Yaris Ativ in Thailand, and if what’s offered in Thailand is anything to go by, you can expect a long list of improvements in terms of exterior styling, interior trim, tech, and safety features. Toyota is even developing a hybrid powertrain for its A and B segment vehicles so we can expect to have a Toyota Vios hybrid, though it’s not clear if that will be this year.
Read More: Used Third-Gen Toyota Vios Buying Guide
2. Honda
Honda has released several new cars in recent years with the Honda City, Civic, and HR-V, but we can still expect some exciting new Honda cars in 2023 for Malaysia. Honda is expected to launch the updated BR-V and an all-new mini SUV – the Honda WR-V possibly in March.
The seven-seater 2023 Honda BR-V will have a more mature, upscale styling similar to the 2022 HR-V. And while it has the same 1.5-liter engine as before, it should come with better fuel economy. Next up, the Honda WR-V is a new SUV that could give the popular Perodua Ativa a run for its money. It has the staple 1.5-liter engine used in other Honda models and if prices in Indonesia are anything to go by, the WR-V could be cheaper than the City when it comes to our shores.
While the Honda Civic Type-R was recently launched in other markets in late 2022, there’s no news if we’ll get it this year. Equipped with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine as before, with various other improvements to the powertrain, it puts out 319 PS of power. If we do get the Honda Civic Type-R in Malaysia in 2023, it will probably be closer to the fourth quarter of the year.
3. Perodua
Perodua has been pumping out best-sellers in the past few years and this year seems to be no different. In fact, Perodua’s new car for 2023 was just launched in February and it’s the next-generation Perodua Axia.
While it still comes with the same 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine as before, unlike the turbocharged engine in the Daihatsu Ayla and Toyota Agya that our neighbor, Indonesia gets, the Axia still enjoys some major improvements. It has a brand new DNGA platform, a new D-CVT (dual-mode continuously variable transmission), larger dimensions with a bigger boot, and better tech overall.
4. Proton
The Geely Haoyue which the Proton X90 is based on
Proton has been a little quiet in the last two years when it comes to brand-new model launches, and that’s mainly due to setbacks caused by the pandemic. However, It’s finally going to launch two long-awaited vehicles, namely the Proton X90 seven-seater SUV and the Persona-replacing Proton S50 sedan.
The Geely Emgrand which the Proton S50 is based on
Both vehicles have been spotted testing on the road in full camo numerous times over the past year, so we expect their launches to be imminent. The X90 is based on the Geely Haoyue, while the S50 is based on the Geely Emgrand.
If the Proton X70 and X50 are anything to go by, we can expect Proton’s new cars for 2023 to have upmarket styling, refinement, and be jam-packed with tech features including smartwatch connectivity. With the Proton X Watch, you can remotely unlock your car’s doors, start the engine, turn on the aircon, and more. That said, if you want the X Watch, you’ll have to cough up RM1,499 to purchase it as it’s currently not included with Proton cars.
Read More: Proton Saga or Perodua Bezza: Best Used Entry Sedan
5. Chery
Chery isn’t a brand many Malaysians pay attention to, but it has recently made a comeback in Malaysia, especially with its preview of the Chery Omoda 5 late last year. The Omoda 5 brings aggressive styling with a one-piece diamond grille, a swooping fastback-style roofline, and sharp edges. Technical specifications for the Malaysian version of this car aren’t available yet but it could come with a 1.6-liter turbo engine paired with a seven-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) producing 195 PS and 290 Nm of torque – very impressive indeed. As it’ll be fully locally assembled, it might have an enticing price as well.
6. Mercedes-Benz
A new car that took Malaysia by surprise in 2023 is the Mercedes-Benz EQS500 4Matic CKD. It’s the company’s first locally assembled electric vehicle (EV) in Malaysia and is RM50,000 cheaper than the fully imported EQS 450+, though, at RM648,888, it’s not affordable by any means. The EQS 500 4Matic has two electric motors giving it 443 PS of power and all-wheel-drive capabilities. It also has a huge 107.8 kWh battery pack for a 696 km driving range.
7. Nissan
Nissan announced their new car in Malaysia for 2023 over Valentine’s Day with a rather cheeky post and what they’ve revealed is the 2023 Nissan Leaf. The new Leaf will be an updated version of the 2019 Leaf with minor design updates including new colorways, wheels, and tech updates. Although there’s not a lot of information on the updated Nissan Leaf, you can expect it to come in two versions; one with a 148 PS motor and 270 km of range, and a more powerful one with a 215 PS motor and a 385 km range.
Read More: The Rise Of Chinese Made Cars In Malaysia and Around the World
Is 2023 the Best Year to Buy an EV?
In the past, EVs in Malaysia were prohibitively expensive for most people but that has changed with the introduction of affordable EVs in late 2022. Two Chinese EV automakers that have been making waves with their affordable offerings are Great Wall Motor Malaysia (GWM) and BYD.
GWM currently offers the Ora Good Cat electric hatchback in two variants – one with a driving range of 400 km and the other with 500 km. Prices range from RM140,000 to RM170,000 making the Ora Good Cat one of the most affordable EVs in Malaysia.
BYD, on the other hand, has an electric crossover – the BYD Atto 3. It’s available in two variants with driving ranges of 410 km and 480 km respectively. Being a crossover, it’s slightly larger than the Ora Good Cat, offering up to 1,340 liters of boot space with the rear seats folded down. Prices for the BYD Atto 3 range from RM150,000 to RM170,000.
Find Your Dream Car on CARSOME!
New cars may be exciting to own but they can also be significantly more expensive than their used counterparts. If you’re looking for a quality car without breaking the bank, check out CARSOME. By going with pre-owned cars, you could own a Honda Civic at Honda City prices, making it a great decision if you’re looking for value for money.
At CARSOME, we put every CARSOME Certified car through a strict 175-point inspection to ensure its condition is up to par and professionally refurbish it to give it safety beyond standards, complete comfort, and refurbished aesthetics.
Visit CARSOME to find your dream car today or download the CARSOME app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
