Neta V Malaysia first drive: Is this sub-RM100k EV worth the price?

Neta stole the headlines a few weeks ago with its Neta V, which immediately became Malaysia’s cheapest electric vehicle at launch, priced at RM99,800. Now that the hype (and the massive RM10,000 discount) has gone away, the company invited us to try out its new product, allowing us to take it for a short drive.

As a refresher, the Neta V is a small EV around the size of the Perodua Myvi. Power comes from a single electric motor at the front that produces 70kW (94hp) and 150Nm of torque. Neta did not provide a zero-to-100km/h acceleration time (only saying it will get to 50km/h in 3.9 seconds), even though its top speed is 120km/h.

So, it’s not fast, then. But that—and the low 1,151kg weight—also means the Neta V only needs a 38.5kWh battery to travel 380km on a single charge, albeit on the very lenient NEDC cycle. The car also supports up to 100kW of DC fast charging, which will get the battery from 30 to 80% charge in 30 minutes, while a 6.6kW AC charger will fully charge the car in eight hours.

The lack of mass is mostly down to the smaller battery, but the Neta V is also as basic as they come—you can’t even adjust the seat height, and the steering wheel is also fixed, just like the first-generation Perodua Axia. You also get just two airbags and no driver assists like autonomous emergency braking to speak of. The car does at least have a massive 14.6-inch portrait touchscreen and a smart key that, funnily enough, also functions as a fidget spinner.

That’s all well and good, but what we wanted to find out is if the Neta V drives well enough to justify the austere cost-cutting needed to hit the price point. Watch the video below to know more.