Perodua Kenari (2000 - To Date) : KEN DO ATTITUDE
Monday August 20
Models Covered: 5dr hatchback, 989cc [GXi. EZi]
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Nobodys going to pretend that the Perodua Kenari is the last word in sophistication or quality but as a cheap city scoot that you can give a thrashing to, it warrants inspection. Surprisingly good fun to drive and able to hold a lot of shopping, used examples are dirt cheap and reasonably easy to come across. Its fair to say that the British public has been a little backward about coming forward when it comes to first-generation supermini-MPV vehicles. Cars like the Daihatsu Move, the Suzuki Wagon R+ and, latterly, the Vauxhall Agila have all been sidelined as niche interest vehicles, despite their undoubted urban attributes.
The Kenari is a car thats been with us since 2000, and yet it is still not a common sight on our roads. Tracking down used examples isnt difficult though.
Dont think, however, that because of the low price youll get a car with the interior ambience of a motorised Anderson shelter. The standard Kenari is fitted with twin airbags, side impact beams, seat belt pretensioners, power steering and central locking. In addition to this, youll also find child locks, electric front windows, a CD stereo system with removable front panel and an engine immobiliser. Many of these features arent found on cars costing double the Kenaris list price and underline the advances made by Perodua, a relative newcomer to the British market.
As with all micro-MPVs, the Kenari is capable of swallowing deceptively large loads, especially if you fold down the rear seats. Peroduas designers have used light colours around the interior which combine well with the big window area to create a spacious, airy feel. The rear suspension hardware is compact and doesnt intrude too badly into the rectangular load bay, accessible by a novel side-hinged rear hatchback. You dont get sliding rear doors, but for prices that represent little more than loose change in car-buying terms, whos complaining?
Not a whole lot. Youll find 2000 model year Kenari GXi models on an X plate for as little as £1,200 with a later 2004 EZi nudging just over £3,000. We certainly wouldnt recommend spending serious money on a Kenari given that there are better nearly new alternatives but a £2,000 51 plated GX seems decent value if its showing modest mileage. Insurance is affordable with all Kenari models rated at Group 3.
The Kenari is not known to have developed any significant faults during its existence, the teething faults and recalls that afflicted its Daihatsu Move donor model having been thoroughly ironed out by the time the Perodua version made it to production. This car will in all likelihood have spent some time transporting children, so check the cabin for rips, stains and other damage wreaked by small hands. The backs of the seats should be checked for evidence of wear and tear, as the trim is not the most hard wearing. The Kenari was designed for city driving, so check the exterior for knocks and scrapes, and check under the bonnet for accident damage or paint overspray.
With 6000-mile service intervals, they also need a little more TLC than many more modern designs. Otherwise, the usual reminder to obtain a service history applies.
(Estimated prices, based on a Kenari EZi) You wouldnt want to buy a bargain basement city car and discover parts prices that will require you to take up an evening job to make ends meet. The Kenari responds with some very cheap consumables. An air filter is around £16 and a fuel filter retails at round £11. An oil filter is £7 and spark plugs are about £7.
A timing belt is around £38, whilst front brake pads are around £45 a pair. A distributor cap retails at around £45.
The Kenaris 989cc engine may not sound very powerful but in truth it doesnt need to be. It is capable of reaching 60mph in 15 seconds and on to a top speed of 87mph. In the Peroduas usual inner city environment of 4mph average speeds, this performance is more than adequate. Its compact exterior dimensions mean that around town, youll never find yourself having to worry about finding a parking space: its a doddle to manoeuvre the tiny Perodua into the smallest of gaps. Then, when you dodge into traffic gaps with all the ease of a motorcycle, you can smile as you leave larger cars stranded in the jams. The five-speed gearbox needs to be used frequently to keep the little engine on the boil, but if you dont mind a slight edge being taken off the already modest performance, a three-speed automatic is available as an option. Of course, economy is where the Kenari really excels.
The three-cylinder engine features a sophisticated electronic fuel injection system which surrenders petrol at the miserly rate of 50.4mpg on the combined cycle. Couple this with an unusually large 40-litre fuel tank and youve got a car with a range of over 400 miles between fills. Mind you, 400 miles in a Kenari might be some peoples idea of punishment.
Best to use it as a second or third car, wheeling it out for the school run, for trips to the shops and generally having a little bit of fun around town. Youll feel reassured to know that the specially designed crushable body absorbs and disperses shocks in the event of collision, making the passenger compartment much safer.
A cheap car new, its only really worth buying a used Perodua Kenari if you need a cheap used car that will ship some urban grief. On that score, the rugged little Perodua excels and is even quite good fun at the same time. A surprising recommendation.
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