Perodua Kenari Review (2000 to date)

Quick Summary

A cheap car new, it's 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.

Overall:

Models Covered:5dr hatchback, 989cc [GXi. EZi]

KEN DO ATTITUDE

Nobody's 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.It's 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 that's been with us since 2000, and yet it is still not a common sight on our roads. Tracking down used examples isn't difficult though.
Used Perodua Kenari for sale

History of the Kenari

Nobody can accuse Perodua of shirking their environmental responsibilities, as the company has proved very adept at recycling. This Kenari is a modernised version of the first generation Daihatsu Move supermini-MPV. Under that tiny bonnet lurks a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, developing 55bhp. Whilst this might sound decidedly weedy, bear in mind that the Kenari weighs just 845kg. No rival could boast a list price cheaper than this little Malaysian. Forget the Suzuki Wagon R and Vauxhall Agila if you were after a low sticker price. Even the far smaller Daewoo Matiz couldn't compete for value with the Perodua. In 2003, Perodua decided to give the Kenari a very mild facelift. The exterior updates ran to a rear tailgate spoiler, protective side mouldings with model description to help curious bystanders, two-tone bumpers and a black finished tailgate trim. The roof rails were also consigned to history in order to 'give the impression of a lower overall height'. Despite this and the rear spoiler, it's unlikely you'd mistake the Kenari for a Lamborghini Countach.
Used Perodua Kenari for sale

Perodua Kenari Road Test

The Kenari's 989cc engine may not sound very powerful but in truth it doesn't need to be. It is capable of reaching 60mph in 15 seconds and on to a top speed of 87mph. In the Perodua's usual inner city environment of 4mph average speeds, this performance is more than adequate. Its compact exterior dimensions mean that around town, you'll never find yourself having to worry about finding a parking space: it's 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 don't 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 you've got a car with a range of over 400 miles between fills. Mind you, 400 miles in a Kenari might be some people's 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. You'll 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.
Used Perodua Kenari for sale

Buying a Perodua Kenari

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.
Used Perodua Kenari for sale

Perodua Kenari Typical Pricing

Not a whole lot. You'll 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 wouldn't 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 it's showing modest mileage. Insurance is affordable with all Kenari models rated at Group 3.
Used Perodua Kenari for sale

Perodua Kenari Parts

(Estimated prices, based on a Kenari EZi) You wouldn't 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.
Used Perodua Kenari for sale