Perodua has finally opened the order books for its upcoming compact SUV, codenamed D55L. The Malaysian carmaker dubs it its 'most advanced' model yet, with confirmation that it will be the brand's first turbocharged vehicle while Level 2 autonomous driving features are also to be expected. 

Three variants – X, H and AV – are on offer, with prices estimated to cost between RM62,500 and RM73,400 on-the-road before insurance in West Malaysia. All variants will pack the now familiar Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) driver aid, which has supposedly been updated to operate at higher speeds and detect two-wheeled vehicles. The range-topping AV variant adds lane keep control, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control to the list to earn Perodua the right to brag about Level 2 autonomy. 

As for the powertrain, Perodua's confirmation of forced induction means the D55L will likely get the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo powering the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize – the compact SUVs on which it is based – in Japan. The 97hp mill (TBC) will be mated to a CVT; a combo that Perodua claims will deliver an average fuel economy of 18.9km per litre (5.3l per 100km).

What else do we know at this point? 

Like most of its recent launches – Aruz, Bezza facelift and Myvi – the D55L will feature LED headlamps across the range, with 'Adaptive Driving Beam' reserved for the H and AV variants. The two pricier models also get a 7.0-inch multi-info display and 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with voice recognition inside. 

Five colours are on offer, namely Glittering Sivler, Granite Grey, Cobalt Blue, Pearl Diamond White and Pearl Delima Red. Three of them – including the red hue we suspect is from the Daihatsu Rocky we saw in Tokyo – are new while their availability differs across different variants. 

With the order books for the D55L now officially open, Perodua urges interested parties to make timely bookings if they are to maximise the government's ongoing sales tax exemption that's set to expire in June. Expect the final price range to exceed the estimated RM63k-RM73k in the second half of 2021. All models come with a five-year/150,000km warranty.