Verdict
The RM5,399 step to the Proton Saga P2-14A MC3 buys a 1.5-litre engine with 118 hp and 150 Nm, versus 94 hp and 120 Nm, plus a four-speed automatic, ABS/EBD and stability control. Those are material gains for a Malaysian daily driver, as are the reverse camera and LED projector headlamps. The Proton Saga P2-13A remains the cheaper manual choice, with RM70 annual road tax rather than RM90, three USB ports and front parking sensors. But its lack of ABS/EBD and stability control is the decisive shortfall.
Pick the Proton Saga P2-13A if you want the lower-cost five-speed manual, lower RM70 road tax and front parking sensors.
Pick the Proton Saga P2-14A MC3 if you want the 118 hp 1.5-litre engine, automatic transmission and standard stability control.
Key differences
- Price: Proton Saga P2-13A costs RM33,591; Proton Saga P2-14A MC3 costs RM38,990.
- Engine output: P2-13A has a 1,332 cc 94 hp/120 Nm engine; P2-14A MC3 has a 1,499 cc 118 hp/150 Nm engine.
- Transmission: P2-13A uses a five-speed manual; P2-14A MC3 uses a four-speed conventional automatic.
- Safety: P2-13A has two airbags but no ABS/EBD or stability control; P2-14A MC3 has two airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control.
- Wheels and tyres: P2-13A gets 13-inch steel wheels with 175/70R13 tyres; P2-14A MC3 gets 14-inch alloy wheels with 175/65R14 tyres.
- Lighting: P2-13A has halogen reflector headlamps and bulb taillamps; P2-14A MC3 has LED projector headlamps and full LED taillamps.
P2-13A
- RM5,399 cheaper to buy
- Five-speed manual and RM70 annual road tax
- Three USB ports and two front parking sensors
- No ABS/EBD or stability control
- Less power and torque: 94 hp/120 Nm versus 118 hp/150 Nm
- Manual gearbox rather than the MC3’s four-speed automatic
P2-14A MC3
- 118 hp and 150 Nm from the 1.5-litre engine
- ABS/EBD, stability control and hill start assist
- Reverse camera, LED projector headlamps and keyless push-button start
- Costs RM5,399 more and annual road tax is RM90 versus RM70
- Only one front USB port versus three
- No front parking sensors or rear foglamp
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM33,591✓ | RM38,990 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | A-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Atkinson Cycle |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 94 hp at 5,750 rpm | 118 hp at 6,100 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 120 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 150 Nm at 4,400 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 76 mm × 73.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5MT | 4-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 5 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.2 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.4 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,331 mm | 4,390 mm |
| Width | 1,689 mm | 1,690 mm |
| Height | 1,491 mm | 1,525 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,465 mm | 2,465 mm |
| Weight | 1,035 kg | 1,055 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 175/70R13 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 175/70R13 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Silverstone Synergy M3 | Atlas AS380 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 13" Steel | 14" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 13" Steel | 14" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 4 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Driver Seat Only | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Full LED |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Foldable Backrest | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, with 3 USB Ports | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | Single-DIN Radio CD player with Bluetooth and 2 Speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows | Four Windows |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote control activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
P2-13A vs P2-14A MC3 FAQ
Is the Proton Saga P2-13A or Proton Saga P2-14A MC3 better?
The Proton Saga P2-14A MC3 is the better-equipped choice: it has 118 hp, a four-speed automatic, ABS/EBD and stability control. Choose the P2-13A only if its lower purchase cost, manual gearbox, front sensors and three USB ports matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Proton Saga P2-14A MC3 costs RM5,399 more than the Proton Saga P2-13A: RM38,990 against RM33,591.
Which Saga has the better safety equipment?
The Proton Saga P2-14A MC3 does. Both have two airbags, but the MC3 adds ABS/EBD, stability control, hill start assist and a reverse camera. The P2-13A has neither ABS/EBD nor stability control.
