Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong has just announced that bookings for the 2026 Proton Saga MC3 have exceeded 70,000, just two months after the car’s November 27 launch. That’s an average of over 1,100 orders a day if my maths is right.
Retaining the same basic structure as before but on a new Advanced Modular Architecture (AMA), it has been comprehensively redesigned with new features such as LED lighting, dual displays for instrumentation and infotainment and, exclusive to the Premium, driver assists such as autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitoring.
All models are powered by a new 120 PS/150 Nm 1.5 litre BHE15-CFNIntelligent Green Technology (i-GT) naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine. This is mated to either an Aisin four-speed automatic gearbox or a Punch CVT, the latter only on the Premium.
During the launch of the new X70 last week, Proton’s director of after-sales Wan Hazran announced three after-sales commitments, promising to minimise time spent at service centres in a bid to increase consumer confidence in the refreshed SUV and its new engine.
Firstly, the company said that cars entered for basic maintenance (engine oil and filter replacements only, i.e. 10,000, 20,000 or 30,000 km) will receive “fast service,” although exactly how long that service will take is unknown. This is for customers who make an appointment ahead of time and choose to stay on at the service centre instead of leaving the premises.
For more involved maintenance procedures (say at 40,000, 60,000 or 80,000 km), Proton is promising a turnaround within 24 hours, and this applies for both appointments and walk-ins. But the biggest benefit is for customers whose repair works take more than three days.
In this situation, the service centre will provide a courtesy car to use during this downtime, as well as a one-time free service offer the next time the customer comes in for scheduled maintenance. We’ve since been told that these commitments will be made for the new Saga, too.
As a refresher, both the X70 and Saga come with a new 1.5 litre i-GT four-cylinder engine, in 181 PS/300 Nm turbo form in the X70 and as a 120 PS/150 Nm naturally-aspirated mill in the Saga. The latter has also been completely revamped with a new design inside and out, plus a brace of new technologies and driver assistance functions.
Prices for the Saga start at RM38,990 for the Standard, rising up to RM44,990 for the Executive and RM49,990 for the Premium. As for the X70, its variant lineup has been streamlined to just two, the RM99,800 Executive and the RM112,800 for the Premium – both with the current RM7,000 launch rebate for the first 1,500 units, valid until March 31.
The 2026 Proton Saga MC3 was launched in November with a RM1,000 early-bird rebate (making the prices RM37,990, RM43,990 and RM48,990), but this has now given way to January rebates of up to RM500 plus up to RM300 if you trade in. So RM800 is now the maximum you could potentially save.
Small difference it may be from before (RM200-500), but those whose loans have been approved with the old price may need to re-apply, and in the budget segment, loan approvals are not always a walk in the park. Some banks or dealers may allow customers to simply top up the difference instead of having to re-apply for the loan.
This is the first time the early-bird rebate offers of recent Proton launches have been rescinded. Usually the launch rebates become permanent or extended indefinitely, and are normally increased over time. For instance, the X50 facelift‘s launch rebate was RM4,000 (now RM6,000 + RM800), the X90 now offers RM20,000 off and the S70‘s free bodykit can still be had, plus an RM8,000 rebate.
Proton has kicked off its 2026 on a high, announcing that it has sold 10,000 units of the new Saga since its November launch. This includes 7,975 units pushed out last month alone, as the national carmaker pointed out in its full-year sales performance announcement last week.
As encouraging as this performance has been, Proton has a mountain to climb to fulfil a backlog of orders. Just one week after the launch, the company disclosed that it had received over 30,000 bookings for the refreshed budget sedan, and that number has surely climbed since then. At this rate, it would take months for buyers to receive their cars – perhaps Proton is taking a page out of Perodua’s playbook?
To recap, the Saga is available in three variants – the Standard, Executive and Premium, priced at RM37,990, RM43,990 and RM48,990 respectively inclusive of a RM1,000 launch rebate. Retaining the same basic structure as before but on a new Advanced Modular Architecture (AMA), it has been comprehensively redesigned with new features such as LED lighting, dual displays for instrumentation and infotainment and, exclusive to the Premium, driver assists such as autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitoring.
All models are powered by a new 120 PS/150 Nm 1.5 litre BHE15-CFN Intelligent Green Technology (i-GT) naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine. This is mated to either an Aisin four-speed automatic gearbox or a Punch CVT, the latter only on the Premium.
Comparison is the thief of joy, as they always say. The Proton Saga has been the prime example of this – as the national carmaker’s first car and its perpetual best-seller with over 2.1 million examples finding buyers, it should be feeling pretty smug about itself. If it weren’t for that meddling Perodua Bezza…
It didn’t use to be this way. Introduced in 1985, the Saga shot to the top of the sales charts and continued to figure near the head of the standings, even as much newer models came to the fore. Even once the seminal Perodua Myvi arrived in 2005 and Perodua stole the sales crown from Proton, the Saga could count on being the sole entry-level sedan on the market, bolstered by an all-new Base Line Model (BLM) in 2008.
All that changed with the arrival of the Bezza in 2016. Smaller on the outside but bigger on the inside, and offering Japanese powertrain technology and near-unshakable resale values, the little four-door proceeded to usurp the Saga as Malaysia’s favourite sedan. Incredibly, despite being mostly unchanged, the Bezza is doing even better now than it did then, becoming the outright best-seller as demand from ride-sharing (i.e. Grab) drivers surged; it now sells over 100,000 units annually.
Now, 40 years on from the beginning, there’s a new Proton Saga, priced from RM37,990 to RM48,990 until December 31. Almost entirely redesigned and loaded with new features – including a more powerful and efficient engine – it’s poised to steal sales from its sworn rival at a time when a replacement for the Bezza still seems a ways away. But is this MC3 overhaul actually good enough to do that? We drive the car to the heights of the Belum rainforest to find out.
Through a presentation slide shown on the Autocar Philippines Facebook page, the model labelled AMA01 is to be positioned against rivals Mitsubishi Mirage and the Toyota Vios. Pitched with dynamic styling and stable handling as key attributes, the AMA01-based Geely model is set for its Philippines market debut in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Though the Philippines is a left-hand-drive market and the Proton Saga MC3, as the first on this platform, is right-hand-drive, the AMA platform was designed from the outset to be fit for converting to left-hand drive. Proton has stated that Proton models built on this platform will be rebadged as Geely models for selected markets. Here, it would appear that the Philippines is one such market.
The reason for doing so is that Geely does not have models which are smaller, more compact and more affordable than those which Proton currently sells – these being the X and S series models – and future AMA models built from this platform will be “new-gen affordable and practical global cars”, which in Malaysia are intended to replace the Persona, Iriz, Exora and old Saga.
The heavily revised Proton Saga MC3 was launched in late November this year with some big changes, one of them being its powertrain. Gone is the 1.3 litre CamPro engine and in comes a 1.5 litre mill that serves up 120 PS and 150 Nm of torque.
With these figures, the new BHE15PFI engine, which is naturally aspirated and comes with port fuel injection, makes 25 PS and 30 Nm more than the departed CamPro unit. That’s not all because unlike the CamPro engine, the new one in its place uses a timing chain instead of a belt.
Depending on which of the three variants offered you choose, the Geely-derived mill is paired with either a Punch VT3 clutch-based CVT (Premium) or an Aisin-sourced four-speed automatic (Standard and Executive) – the latter was already introduced for the MC2 since 2023 and replaces the previous Hyundai-sourced automatic gearbox.
So, how have all these mechanical changes affected the Saga’s maintenance cost? Well, Proton has updated the aftersales page of its official website with the relevant numbers, so let’s go through them.
Saga 4AT variants’ maintenance costs compared
Looking purely at the grand totals, we can see that the new Saga with a 4AT is cheaper to maintain over five years compared to its equivalent predecessor by RM656.69. While both are Aisin gearboxes, the cost of the transmission oil and related replacement parts are cheaper for the newer model.
Going through the rest of the service schedule, the service intervals for certain components are further apart for the new engine. As an example, the engine air filter for the CamPro engine needs to be changed every 20,000 km/12 month, which is more often than the Geely-derived engine that requires changes every 40,000 km/24 months.
Engine coolant changes are also less frequent for the latter at every 60,000 km/36 months instead of every 30,000 km/18 months. There are also some service items that aren’t present for the newer Saga MC3 4AT such as power steering fluid (the new car has electric power steering) and a N95 cabin filter (a pollen filter is listed instead).
The switch to a timing chain for the Saga MC3 4AT means there’s no need for a timing belt replacement, which costs RM334.68 for the older Saga and happens at the 110,000 km/66 months mark. A drive belt for ancillary systems (air-conditioning and power steering) is still required for both at the same cost of RM67.
The lower maintenance cost for the newer Saga also stems from the removal of the 1,000 km break-in service that was part of the older model’s service schedule. As before, free labour for the first three service intervals is included with each purchase.
One thing to note is the newer engine uses fully synthetic engine oil, which costs more than the semi synthetic oil used by the CamPro engine (RM169 vs RM116), and its spark plugs cost more (RM131.60 vs RM56.68) as well. Even so, over a five-year/100,000-km period, the overall cost is less for the Saga MC3 4AT.
Saga CVT variants’ maintenance costs compared
2026 Proton Saga MC3 CVT maintenance schedule
The Saga previously dropped its CVT and used a 4AT exclusively when it received its first facelift (MC1) back in 2019. Prior to the MC3, the last time the Saga was offered with a CVT was when it entered its third generation in 2016.
As we reported at the time, the 2016 Saga used the Punch VT2, also a clutch-based CVT, that is older than the newer VT3+ in the MC3. It appears the switch to a newer CVT has helped the MC3 in terms of maintenance cost.
2016 Proton Saga CVT maintenance schedule
In the same vein as its 4AT counterpart, the newer Saga MC3 CVT is cheaper to maintain over five years compared to its older equivalent by RM286.91, with both using the same transmission oil filter and drain plug priced at RM129.52 and RM21.95 respectively.
The majority of the savings, as far as we can tell, is from the lower cost of replacing the CVT oil (RM143.78 for the MC3 vs RM181.61) – same service internal of 60,000 km/12 months – with the reduced maintenance cost of the new engine also applied here.
The CVT is still more costly to maintain compared to the 4AT because the former requires a transmission oil filter (RM129.52). Even within the new Saga MC3 range itself, there are a few differences between variants equipped with the 4AT or CVT.
The Bezza enters the picture
2020 Perodua Bezza 1.3L 4AT maintenance schedule
During the launch of the Saga MC3, the company claimed its offering was the cheapest to maintain in the A-segment sedan market. The only other competitor in this space is the Perodua Bezza, so we pulled the numbers for that model to compare too.
Over five years, the Bezza with the 1.3 litre engine, which is closer in terms of displacement to the Saga’s 1.5 litre unit, costs RM3,531.36 to maintain. This is more than both the 4AT and CVT versions of the Saga MC3 by RM204.45 and RM93.78 respectively, despite the Bezza’s fewer service items.
2020 Perodua Bezza 1.0L 4AT maintenance schedule
Yes, the Saga MC3 is cheaper to maintain compared to the Bezza, although the differences are negligible if we spread them out over five years. If we add in all of Perodua’s Pro Care service items that are optional, the discrepancy grows even larger.
Widening the scope for the sake of it, the Bezza with a smaller 1.0 litre engine costs RM3,319.74 to maintain over five years, which is less than the 4AT and CVT versions of the Saga MC3 by RM7.17 and RM117.84 respectively. Again, negligible differences over a long period.
Other things worth mentioning
As always, the cost of owning a car goes far beyond just maintenance, as there are other things to consider like fuel consumption, which the Saga (4.9 l/100 km CVT and 5.1 l/100 km 4AT) is now closer to the Bezza 1.3L (4.76 l/100 km or 4.55 l/100 km with Eco Idle) despite the increased engine capacity. The Bezza 1.0L wins in this aspect with its 4.69 l/100 km.
There’s also the matter of consumables (brake pads, shock absorbers, batteries and tyres) that can differ depending on an owner’s use case. Lower-end variants of the Saga MC3 and Bezza come with 14-inch wheels and share the same tyre profile of 175/65. Higher-end variants of both come with 15-inch wheels, although the Saga’s tyres have a different profile (185/55) compared to the Bezza that uses narrower 175/60 profile tyres.
The Bezza also has an idling stop system that requires a more expensive 12-volt battery to function, while the frameless wipers on the Saga are costlier to replace. Then there’s the yet-unknown cost of replacement parts of the new Saga’s engine after the warranty period ends.
This being a far more advanced design compared to Perodua’s older but tried and tested engines, it’s fair to assume its parts will be more expensive down the road too. One evidence of this is the more expensive spark plugs used by the Saga MC3 which are changed every 40,000 km/24 months, with the total cost similar to that of the Bezza that changes its spark plugs at 100,000 km/60 months for RM263.60
The Bezza’s road tax is RM70 for its 1NR-VE 1,329 cc inline-four, while the Saga MC3’s 1,499 cc unit costs RM90, so only a fully-loaded plate of nasi kandar separates them – the Bezza 1.0L’s road tax is just RM20. As for the matter of purchase price, the 1.3L variants of the Bezza start at RM43,980 OTR without insurance and peak at RM49,980.
By comparison, the Saga MC3 is from RM38,990 to RM48,990, with an early bird rebate (valid until the end of 2025) reducing the prices by RM1,000. However, the 1.3L variants of the Bezza come with solar and security window film from the factory, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket like you would with the Saga MC3.
So, the new Saga MC3 is priced less than its comparable rival and is cheaper to maintain, even when compared to its predecessor. As usual, things are not always as clear cut when you consider things beyond the standard service costs, but this still seems like a step in the right direction for Proton, but what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The Proton Tech Showcase has revealed that the i-GT 1.5 litre engine that now serves in the X50 facelift as well as the 2026 Saga MC3 will be headed for the forthcoming, updated X70, X90 and S70, and the carmaker has revealed further details on the new engine family.
Proton has revealed that the i-GT 1.5 litre engine, in its naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms, will feature local content proportions of 54% and 45%, respectively, and the Malaysian automaker has also detailed how the new engines are improved compared to their predecessors.
Beginning with the headline figures, in turbocharged form the 1.5 i-GT engine in the facelifted X50 outputs 133 kW (181 PS) and 290 Nm, gains of 2.3% and 13.7% over those of previous generations, according to Proton. Its claimed fuel consumption of 6.1 litres per 100 km represents a 16.1% reduction, and Proton claims an industry-leading torque-to-weight ratio of 2.64 Nm per kg.
For the 1.5 i-GT engine in naturally aspirated form as found in the Saga MC3, its outputs of 88 kW (120 PS) and 150 Nm represent gains of 25.7% and 25% for power and torque respectively, while its 11.6-second 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 21.6% quicker than that of its predecessor, the Saga MC2 which did the benchmark run in 14.8 seconds.
Compared against Proton’s older turbocharged engine, the 1.6 litre, port-fuel-injected turbocharged CFE engine, the 1.5 litre i-GT turbo mill offers 41% more useful torque, according to Proton, and the new engine demonstrates greater torque outputs across the entire engine rev range, from 1,000 to 6,000 rpm.
Like the older 1.6T engine, the turbocharged i-GT arrives at peak torque at 2,000 rpm, though it appears to taper down from peak torque for longer compared to the older engine.
Proton 1.5 litre turbocharged engine, vs the 1.6L CFE turbo and 1.5L GEP3 turbo engines
In terms of power, the 1.5 litre turbocharged i-GT also offers higher outputs across the rev range, a claimed 17% more, and the new engine brings a steeper ramp up towards its 5,500 rpm output peak, compared to the 1.6T CFE engine’s plateau, which also peaks at 5,500 rpm before the 6,000 rpm limit.
When compared to the 1.5 litre CEP3 three-cylinder engine previously in the X50, the 1.5 litre turbocharged i-GT engine offers a claimed 14% more useful torque (290 Nm, up from 255 Nm in the X50 Flagship), and 2% more power (up from 177 PS of the X50 Flagship).
Power and torque are increased across most of the rev range, though power and torque bands of the i-GT appear to dip below those of the GEP3 Turbo engine from 4,500 rpm to 5,250 rpm. Test bench fuel consumption figures for the 1.5 litre i-GT turbocharged engine shows a 6% improvement over the 1.5L GEP3 three-cylinder turbocharged engine, and a 20% improvement over the 1.6L CFE turbocharged engine.
Proton 1.5 litre naturally aspirated engine, vs the 1.3L VVT naturally aspirated engine
Compared between naturally aspirated engines, the NA version of the 1.5 i-GT engine offers claimed gains of 25% more torque and 26% more power, relative to the smaller displacement, also-naturally aspirated 1.3 litre VVT engine. According to official specifications listed for the 2026 Saga MC3, this BHE15-CFN port-injected engine outputs 120 PS at 6,100 rpm and 150 Nm from 4,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm.
Proton stated that the turbocharged version of the i-GT 1.5 litre engine for the aforementioned SUV and sedan models, as specified in the X50 facelift, will get 45% local content, while the naturally aspirated version of the engine, as featured in the latest Saga and set for an upcoming SUV model, will have slightly more local content, at 54%.
When asked if, and when, Proton will increase the amount of local content for these engines, a representative of the brand said that the decision is up to the management, and that the current level of localisation is already “well above” what is required by the government.
In naturally aspirated guise, the i-GT engine powers the 2026 Saga MC3, and the BHE15-CFN port-injected, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder unit makes 120 PS at 6,100 rpm and 150 Nm from 4,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm; Standard and Executive variants of the Saga get the Aisin four-speed automatic gearbox, while the Premium gets a Punch CVT.
The BHE15TD i-GT 1.5 litre turbocharged direct injection engine in the 2025 X50 facelift outputs 181 PS and 290 Nm, which are transmitted to the front wheels through a seven-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox. Thus equipped, the B-segment SUV does 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, and Proton claims a 4.7% improvement in fuel efficiency over its three-cylinder engined predecessor.
We’re at the Proton Tech Showcase at the carmaker’s Centre of Excellence (COE), which opens to the media today ahead of the public this weekend. In his opening speech, Proton CEO Li Chunrong announced that the new Saga MC3, which was launched exactly a week ago on November 27, has received over 30,000 bookings.
That’s an impressive number for the throughly refreshed budget sedan, but to overhaul its chief rival Perodua Bezza – which coincidentally is Malaysia’s best-selling car even so late in its life cycle – Proton needs production to match the strong initial demand to transform bookings into sales, the only thing counted in the league table.
The Saga Standard is priced at RM37,990, the Executive at RM43,990 and the Premium at RM48,990. These figures are on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of a RM1,000 rebate valid till the end 2025. There are other early-bird offers as well, and you can find out more in our comprehensive launch report.
All variants get a new 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine making 120 PS at 6,100 rpm and 150 Nm of torque from 4,000 to 5,000 rpm. The BHE15-CFN port-injected engine is mated to the Aisin four-speed automatic gearbox from the MC2, but the Premium returns to a Punch CVT. Proton claims fuel consumption of 4.9 litres per 100 km for the CVT and 5.1 litres per 100 km for the 4AT.
First, the prices. To reiterate, the Standard is priced at RM37,990, the Executive at RM43,990 and the Premium at RM48,990. These figures are on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of a RM1,000 rebate up to the end of the year. There are several other early-bird offers as well, which you can read about in our comprehensive launch report.
We’ll begin the comparison with the thing they all share – the 1.5 litre BHE15-CFN port-injected, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine making 120 PS at 6,100 rpm and 150 Nm of torque between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm. This means the Standard is now the cheapest 1.5 litre car in Malaysia, costing nearly RM13,000 less than the Perodua Myvi 1.5 X. The Saga also punches above its weight in terms of output, being only narrowly beaten by the Honda City (121 PS) in power and beating it in torque (145 Nm).
However, while the Standard and Executive models retain the previous Aisin four-speed automatic gearbox, the Premium returns to a Punch CVT. Controversial I know, but it’s the stepless transmission that is more efficient, delivering a fuel consumption figure of 4.9 litres per 100 km, versus 5.1 litres per 100 km on the others. This figure nearly matches the Perodua Bezza 1.3 (4.8 litres per 100 km) while being significantly more powerful.
Proton Saga 1.5 Standard A/T
We’ve already talked endlessly about what’s new, so we’ll keep it brief. The new front fascia features redesigned headlights that come with LED projectors (yes, even on the Standard), plus a too-big grille tied together with the Ethereal Bow bar that envelops the Proton roundel. The taillights are also new (and illuminated with LEDs) and join a sleeker, taller “aero” boot lid.
The Standard’s headlights make do with L-shaped LED positioning lights, while the Executive and Premium graduate to full-blown daytime running lights. The part numbers are common across all three, however, so the difference is merely software.
The Ethereal Bow and the also-new door handle strips are finished in silver on the Standard and chrome on the other two, and the wheels are carried-over 14-inch silver alloys on the Standard; the Executive and Premium gain snazzier 15-inch “arrow” rollers, with the Premium’s also receiving a two-tone finish. Also exclusive to the Premium is an illuminated bar joining the taillights, which also houses an external boot lid release; on the other models, you’ll either have to press a button on the key or reach in and pull a lever.
Proton Saga 1.5 Executive A/T
It’s a sea change on the inside, too, with a horizontal dashboard design and pill-shaped air vents. Dominating proceedings is a tombstone of a display panel, and even the Standard receives a new seven-inch digital instrument display – something you won’t find elsewhere in this price range.
This does not extend to the nine-inch touchscreen, which can only found on the Executive and Premium; the Standard retains the outgoing model’s radio/Bluetooth player with fiddly capacitive touch buttons. It being fully integrated with the instrument display on a single panel will likely make it harder and more expensive to replace the head unit, but we’re sure the aftermarket will find a way regardless.
Losing the touchscreen also means the Standard loses out on the new wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto function as well as a reverse camera. It also gets just two speakers as opposed to the usual four, with the rear door perforations opening up to gaping blank holes.
Proton Saga 1.5 Premium CVT
Elsewhere, you get three different upholstery options – regular fabric on the Standard, textured fabric on the Executive and faux leather on the Premium. The driver’s seat itself also features a more ergonomic ratcheting height adjuster lever that moves the entire seat, although this is still reserved for the Premium, with the others stuck with the same rotary knob that lifts only the seat base. Last but not least, keyless entry is only offered on the Executive and Premium, but all models now get a push-button starter.
Safety-wise, the Saga comes as standard with two airbags and stability control. For the full experience, you’ll have to spring for the Premium, which now features six airbags and advanced driver assistance systems like autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and auto high beam. Again, the Premium is the one with the CVT, so it’s take it or leave it – CVT, or no ADAS.
Click to enlarge
The full variant breakdown is as follows:
2026 Proton Saga 1.5 Standard – RM37,990 Gets as standard:
Mechanicals
1.5 litre DOHC i-GT PFI engine
1,499 cc naturally-aspirated dual-VVT four-cylinder petrol
120 PS at 6,100 rpm, 150 Nm of torque at 4,000-5,000 rpm
The 2026 Proton Saga MC3 may have been launched in Malaysia for almost a week now, but this is the first time we’re clapping eyes on the RM37,990 (after the RM1k early-bird rebate) Standard variant. Feast your eyes on this full showroom gallery as we take you on a tour.
But first, we must note that all showroom display cars in the Klang Valley are of the Premium and Executive variants only, so we intercepted this customer car before delivery, courtesy of the Proton Sianghin Auto showroom in Taman Melawati.
Let’s start with the exterior – you still get LED projector headlamps, but they’re not automatic (Executive and Premium only) and there’s no auto high beam (Premium only). Those L-shaped LEDs are still there, but they’re used as positioning lamps rather than DRLs (they’re not as bright and do not automatically come on when the engine is started).
However, we checked and found that the part number is the same as the Executive variant, so the difference is merely in the software – we’re sure the resourceful will find a way to reactivate them soon enough.
Moving on, there are no front parking sensors, and the Ethereal Bow (the thing that ‘cups’ the Proton logo in the grille) and door handle decorative strips are finished in silver instead of the chrome you get on the Executive and Premium. The Standard is also the only variant with 14-inch alloys, taken from the old MC2.
Unlike the Executive and Premium, there’s no keyless entry here (so there’s no button on the driver’s door handle) but there’s keyless start at least. All Saga variants use the same new key fob (no more flip key like before). On the Standard, you’ll have to first thumb the key fob to unlock the doors, then get in and press the engine start button.
Along the side, you’ll see body-coloured B-pillars (only the Premium gets them in black) and no side skirts (also Premium only), although the mirror caps are still black. Because the Executive doesn’t get full-width tail lamps and an outside boot release button, the Standard obviously doesn’t either. There isn’t even a reverse camera or a lamp inside the boot – you’d need at least the Executive to get these.
Inside, the steering wheel is polyurethane (only the Premium’s is leather-wrapped) but at least it contains all the same buttons as the other variants (the previous Saga Standard had no steering wheel buttons whatsoever). You also still get a digital instrument panel, when the similarly-priced Axia G has analogue gauges and not even a rev counter.
The one you most want to see is the head unit. Unlike the other variants’ nine-inch touch-screen, the Standard gets a basic radio with Bluetooth, although it uses more modern-looking capacitive-touch buttons instead of physical ones.
No screen, so no Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and the design of the thing (still connected to the digital instrument panel in one long piece) means fitting an aftermarket screen would not be a straightforward task. There are only two speakers here (the rear door speaker grilles are empty); the other variants get four.
The Standard’s upholstery is plain black fabric as opposed to the Executive’s wavy patterns. The driver’s seat uses the same rotary knob as on the Executive for height adjustment (only the Premium gets the new lever that raises or lowers the entire seat). Like the Executive, there’s no auto-down function for the driver’s window; you’d need the Premium for that. No Saga variant has auto-up windows.
Below the centre air vents sit two rows of buttons flanked by air-con control knobs – the top row is missing the parking sensor button (obviously, since it has no front parking sensors). The bottom row is all blank, but so it is even on the Premium.
Behind the handbrake, you’ll find no USB ports (Executive and Premium only). The front USB port is still there, but it’s for data transfer and charges slowly. Located right in front of the driver’s left knee, it’s an awkward place to stick a pendrive for music. Regarding the back seats, you’ll need to buy at least the Executive to get adjustable headrests and seat back pockets.
The Standard and Executive share the same powertrain and safety equipment – a 120 PS/150 Nm 1.5 litre i-GT four-cylinder engine, an Aisin four-speed auto (Premium gets a Punch CVT), two airbags, stability control and no ADAS (Premium gets six airbags, ADAS and RSRS). The Saga Standard is the only sub-RM40k car in Malaysia with a 1.5 litre engine – give your RM40k to Perodua and you’ll get a 1.0 litre three-potter.
Now, with the exception of crucial safety features like airbags and ADAS, many of the Standard’s omissions can be retrofitted rather easily later on. It remains superb value at RM38k – arguably even more so than the RM44k Executive – but of course it’s best to go for the Premium if budget permits. What are your thoughts on the most affordable new Proton you can buy today?
With the Standard as the variant tested here, the newly-launched sedan model achieved 23.72 out of a possible 32.00 points in the adult occupant protection (AOP) assessment, 38.17 from a possible 51.00 points in the child occupant protection (COP) assessment, 14.00 from a possible 21.00 points in the safety assist assessment, and 7.00 from a possible 16.00 points in the motorcyclist safety (MS) assessment.
In the adult occupant protection (AOP) assessment, the front occupant compartment of the Saga was deemed to have remained stable in the frontal offset impact test, however of note was the marginal protection observed for the driver’s chest, for which marginal protection was also observed in the side impact test.
Safety assistance systems in the Proton Saga MC3 included autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, lane departure warning and blind spot detection, along with two airbags, ESC, ABS, seatbelt reminders for both front occupants, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
In the motorcyclist safety assessment, the 2026 Saga MC3 obtained a bonus point for offering advanced motorcyclist safety technology through the AEB for motorcycle functionality as optional equipment.
Across the AOP, COP, safety assist and motorcyclist safety assessment categories, the Saga MC3 achieved a maximum star rating of four stars for each respective category, thus with a weighted score of 66.70 points, it arrives at the overall ASEAN NCAP rating of four stars.
At today’s launch of the 2025 Proton Saga MC3, DRB-Hicom group managing director Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar has announced that future models from the national carmaker will emerge from the Advanced Modular Architecture (AMA) that underpins the latest iteration of the Saga.
Being modular in nature, the AMA can be stretched or shortened to suit the vehicle to emerge from the platform, thus offering the potential for several new Saga bodystyles to emerge, including a hatchback, an MPV and an SUV.
In terms of the just-launched Saga MC3, Proton’s latest model gets hot-press-formed (HPF) steel B-pillars and floor cross member, along with an advanced-high-strength steel roof cross member and high-strength steel door bars. These updates have made the body stiffer to the extent that the new model is able to do away with the old car’s strut brace, and thus retain its four-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating.
Proton Saga hatchback, Saga Cross rendered by Theophilus Chin
According to Proton, the AMA is “flexible, scalable and future-ready” and it is designed to meet international safety, performance and efficiency standards, and that Proton owns the full intellectual property rights to the platform, which reinforces its “growing engineering capability,” it said.
Proton has also said that it is open to collaboration across the wider Geely group, “potentially positioning Malaysia as a regional engineering hub for future model development,” it had said. The broadening of product offerings based on the AMA platform will go towards Proton’s growth ambitions, including on the international level.
The national carmaker is present in 18 export markets currently, and it is expecting to see a 10-fold increase in sales volume in the next five years through growth in international markets, minister of investment, trade and industry Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Aziz said at today’s launch of the 2026 Proton Saga MC3.
At long last, after months of spyshots, leaks, teasers and previews, the new Proton Saga has been launched in Malaysia – just in time to celebrate its nameplate’s 40th anniversary. We already know everything that’s new about the evergreen budget sedan, from its revitalised design to the all-new engine and controversial transmission choice, but now we finally get to know the price as it officially goes on sale.
It goes without saying that the Saga is a hugely important new product, not just within the historical context (first Proton model, over 2.1 million units sold), but also the fact that it competes with Perodua’s top-selling model. Building a (mostly) successful line of SUVs is one thing, but if the national carmaker really wants to be Malaysia’s #1 car brand, it will by definition have to steal sales from the current top dog at some point.
Where better than from the Bezza, which sold over 100,000 units last year, making up nearly a third of all Perodua sales, compared to the less than 70,000 Sagas that left dealer lots. With this new model, Proton has a car that is claimed to be at last almost as frugal, all while being much more powerful and offering a higher level of kit and technology – and it has already secured 20,000 bookings for it. Let’s take a closer look.
Prices slightly lower than expected, from RM37,990
Let’s get straight to the most important part. The new Saga is available in Standard, Executive and Premium versions, streamlining the rather confusing previous lineup that consisted of the Standard M/T, Standard Lite A/T, Standard A/T, Premium A/T and Premium S A/T.
Prices start from RM38,990 for the Standard, rising up to RM44,990 for the Executive and RM49,990 for the Premium. Proton is also offering an RM1,000 rebate for early-bird buyers, valid until the end of the year. With this, the official pricing is as follows:
Proton Saga 1.5 Standard A/T – RM37,990
Proton Saga 1.5 Executive A/T – RM43,990
Proton Saga 1.5 Premium CVT – RM48,990
All figures are on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of the usual five-year/150,000 km warranty and free labour for the first three service intervals. The Saga was estimated to retail from RM40,000 to RM50,000, and if you were one of the over 10,000 people that pre-ordered one before today, you will receive a special edition Touch ‘n Go card and a full year of free service (including parts and labour).
These go on top of a launch package that includes either RM1,500 in additional trade-in value or RM2,000 for traded-in vehicles older than 15 years. There’s also financing interest rates from as low as 2.6% per annum and an upgraded insurance programme with special perils coverage, up to RM2,000 in upgraded flood relief and personal accident coverage for passengers at up to RM1,500 per person. Again, these are only valid until December 31 this year.
By comparison, the outgoing model started at RM34,800 for the Standard M/T, rising up to RM38,300 for the Standard Lite A/T, RM38,800 for the Standard A/T, RM41,800 for the Premium A/T and RM44,800 for the Premium S A/T. We should point out, however, that Proton has discontinued both the Standard Lite and the manual transmission (rest in peace) with this new model, which at least partly explains the jump in starting price. The national carmaker also claims buyers of the new car get up to RM12,000 worth of extra kit.
How does this compare to the Bezza? Well, that car’s entirely automatic range is priced at RM36,580 for the 1.0 G, RM43,980 for the 1.3 X and RM49,980 for the 1.3 AV. Keep in mind that the base model offers only a 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine from the Axia, whereas the Saga comes as standard with a 1.5 litre mill.
Proton is promising customers fast basic servicing as well as a 24-hour turnaround for more involved servicing and repair. For instances in which repairs take more than three days, the company says it will provide a courtesy car and one free service. It also claims lower service costs than before, partly due to the elimination of the 1,000 km break-in service; maintenance intervals remain at 10,000 km.
A bunch of accessories are being offered for the new Saga, including security window tint at RM1,500, a dash cam at RM549, door visors at RM150, coil mats at RM130 and a boot tray at RM135. There are also noise-insulating panels for the bonnet (RM70), boot lid (RM100) and all four doors (RM435).
Buyers can also purchase prepaid maintenance plans that cost RM1,834 for three years/60,000 km and RM2,994 for five years/100,000 km. These prices are slightly higher for the Premium (RM1,936 for three years, RM3,094 for five years), presumably due to the CVT.
Revised AMA platform set to spawn new Saga variants
As we discussed previously, the new Saga is effectively a heavy facelift of the third-generation model. Proton may market this car as the all-new, fourth-generation Saga, but the car is internally referred to as the Minor Change 3 (MC3) of the third-gen 2016 model, and you can even spot this tag on stickers on some of the components. In fact, you can trace the car’s lineage all the way back to the second-gen Base Line Model (BLM) Saga from 2008 – itself derived from the Savvy hatchback from 2005.
Nevertheless, the Saga has received a substantial reengineering job to accept new technologies and safety equipment. The platform is now dubbed the Advanced Modular Architecture (AMA); it can be stretched or chopped to suit the car being developed (hence the “modular” in its name), and it also incorporates a brand-new electrical architecture. More on that later.
Additionally, the structure has been strengthened using hot-press-formed (HPF) steel B-pillars and floor cross member, along with an advanced-high-strength steel roof cross member and high-strength steel door bars. This has enabled the Saga to maintain its four-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating, despite being tested on a protocol that is two generations newer (and stricter), on the final year of the 2021-2025 protocol. The changes have made the body so much stiffer that the new model is able to do away with the old car’s strut brace.
Handling, a key Proton strength, has been improved through a redesigned cross member and stiffer bushings on the rear subframe, as well as a new anti-roll bar, also with stiffer bushings. The new Saga also rides slightly higher than before to protect the new engine, which sits lower in the engine bay. Also upgraded is the power steering, going from hydraulic to electric assistance.
Proton claims that AMA is “flexible, scalable and future-ready” and is designed to meet international safety, performance and efficiency standards. It adds that it owns the full intellectual property rights for the platform, reinforcing its “growing engineering capability.”
The company is open to collaboration across the Geely Group, it says, “potentially positioning Malaysia as a regional engineering hub for future model development.” Again, this begs the question – could we see Proton-based Geely models instead of the other way around?
Since the initial preview, it’s been rumoured that the Saga will spawn several new body style variants, including a hatchback, an MPV and even an SUV. To this writer, it’s more likely that Proton will create a Saga sub-brand for its range of indigenously-designed models to cash in on the sedan’s continued success, retaining the AMA platform and powertrain but being otherwise unrelated. We’ll see which idea prevails.
We’ve talked about this at length several times before, but we’ll say it again – the new Saga marks the demise of Proton’s long-serving, in-house-developed CamPro engine family. In its place sits an all-new, Geely-derived 1.5 litre BHE15 four-cylinder engine that we first saw in turbocharged form in the facelifted X50, here in BHE15PFI guise with natural aspiration and port fuel injection.
The BHE15PFI was introduced on the plug-in hybrid Geely Galaxy Starship 7/Starray EM-i/EX5 EM-i, which itself is set to becoming the Proton eMas 7 PHEV, with camouflaged test prototypes already roaming our roads. In pure petrol form, however – burdened with the need to drive the wheels alone, rather than being augmented with electrical power – it has been retuned for more power and torque.
This high-output BHE15-CFN tune is very new, having only been added to the Chinese market’s Geely Emgrand (known to you and me as the Proton S70) this year to replace the direct-injected BHE15-AFD. This is presumably to cut down on carbon deposits and reduce maintenance – a key consideration for budget-friendly models like the Emgrand and Saga.
Benefitting from new technologies – and a sizeable increase in swept volume, up from the old 1.3 litre mill – the new Saga gets a big boost in outputs, now producing 120 PS at 6,100 rpm and 150 Nm of torque between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm. That’s 25 PS and 30 Nm up over the outgoing model, and a similar margin over its arch nemesis, the Bezza 1.3 (95 PS and 121 Nm). In fact, the new car damn near matches the Honda City‘s 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine in power (121 PS) and beats it in torque (145 Nm).
Proton claims the new engine not only delivers more power than before, but also reduces the Saga’s fuel consumption by up to 14.04%, thanks to it running on an Atkinson cycle – something usually reserved for hybrid vehicles. Further helping its cause is the fitment of dual variable valve timing (DVVT) and an electric water pump, while a dual-mass flywheel cuts vibration and noise, the latter by up to 25.24%.
Last but not least is news that will be music to the ears of those who frequent our comments. Yes, the Saga will finally come with a timing chain instead of a belt, reducing the maintenance needed. It’s also a toothed chain, cutting down on NVH versus a regular roller chain. Proton says the new engine has racked up a total of 9,000,000 km of global testing mileage and over 50,000 hours of dyno testing to ensure reliability.
Aisin 4A/T or Punch CVT, 4.9 litres per 100 km fuel consumption
Much has been made about the transmission choice for the Saga. Again, there’s no longer a manual version (still a shame, especially given the relatively strong engine outputs), and the Standard and Executive models use the same Aisin-sourced four-speed automatic as before.
The Premium, on the other hand, goes back in time to the Punch VT3+ clutch-based CVT – the very same one Proton ditched in 2019 in favour of a slush ‘box. It will likely have been retuned for the application and incorporate learnings from the newer Iriz and Persona to further optimise response and reliability.
Despite the stepless transmission’s reputation for being inefficient, it’s actually the Premium that saves the most fuel, with a combined consumption figure of 4.9 litres per 100 km on the Malaysian Driving Cycle (MDC) – achieving the aforementioned 14.04% improvement.
That compares well with the auto’s 5.1 litres per 100 km (10.53% lower than before) and even the Bezza 1.3’s 4.8 litres per 100 km (without Eco Idle start/stop, which most people turn off anyway) – despite the Saga offering significantly more power and torque. It should travel further on a tank, too, thanks to it having a larger 40 litre fuel tank versus the Perodua’s 36.
The choice to return to a CVT – and a Punch unit as well – is a bizarre choice, not just given Proton’s turbulent history with the transmission, but also Geely’s own drivetrain strategy. In China, the Emgrand uses a more modern CVT with a simulated eight-speed mode, while in other markets, the direct-injected mill (with similar outputs, let’s not forget) is paired with a six-speed automatic. Why not here, too?
Heavy facelift with all-new front end, LED lighting standard
By now you will have seen the new Saga from all angles – and made your mind up about that polarising front end. The massive grille, likely needed to cool the new engine and featuring pins said to be inspired by songket embroidery, spans the entire front end and envelops the headlights. This leads to a face that appears to be about two sizes too big for this tiny car.
No matter what you think of this new design, however, you’ll have to admit that it is, at the very least, fairly modern. The now full-LED headlights feature rectangular projectors for low and high beam and a cascade of indicators – and just like the Bezza, these are standard across the range. As an added bonus, the projectors can be seen as an upgrade on the X50, X70 and X90, and of course the Bezza – all of which use reflectors.
What aren’t standard are the L-shaped LED daytime running lights that lead neatly to the chrome Ethereal Bow grille bar, which are only offered on the Executive and Premium; the Standard at least retains LED positioning lamps to maintain the look. With the deletion of the bumper-mounted DRLs, the air intakes now look fairly plain, made slimmer to fit the larger grille and finished entirely in black plastic.
The bonnet is also new, with a taller and wider central bulge for “an expression of power,” says Proton. This plus the myriad front fender changes have necessitated a mild re-profiling of the front fenders, with bonnet shutlines that drop down towards the front for a sleeker appearance. The wipers that come from the factory are now single-piece “aeroblade” units, replacing the old metal frames.
Along the side, one can clearly see that the cabin section and rear fenders are visually unchanged from the previous Saga. This is borne out by the dimensions, retaining the 2,465 mm wheelbase and width of 1,690 mm – although the new car is 55 mm longer at 4,390 mm. The height has also increased by 10 mm to 1,525 mm as a result of the raised suspension.
Eagle-eyed viewers will be able to spot the chrome strips on the door handles that aim to provide a classier look, as well as the gloss black “aerodynamic” door mirror caps from the Lotus Evora 400, featuring a protruding leading edge for greater shape. There’s also a new shark fin aerial that replaces the old bee-sting unit, oddly also finished in gloss black.
The Premium loses the bodykit and red accents that were offered on the old Premium S, but it does get side skirts (of a different design) that provide a fuller look versus the other variants. Also exclusive to the Premium is a matte black finish for the B-pillars.
The rear end sees another wholesale change, with LED taillights joined together by a central bar with the Proton script, providing a familial resemblance to the larger S70. Diagonal segments perform the main lighting function, joined by indicator strips at the top and the brake and reverse lamps at the bottom. Unfortunately, the third brake light continue to use a slower-reacting bulb, which isn’t good for safety.
On the Premium, these taillights are joined together by an illuminated strip, which also houses an external boot lid release. The other variants don’t have this luxury, which not only leads to a disjointed look but also means you’ll either have to press a key fob button or pull a lever on the inside to open the boot.
The “aero” boot lid itself rises slightly higher than before, negating the need for a separate lip spoiler as before. The rear bumper contains a simple diffuser-like black valance and dispenses with the old car’s slightly ostentatious fake corner vents. As for badging, the Saga script uses a more angular typeface that harks back to the original, and there’s also an “i-GT” badge to denote the new Intelligent Green Technology engine.
Colour options include the returning Ruby Red, Armour Silver and Snow White, plus two new ones – Marine Blue from the X90 and Space Grey from the pre-facelift X70. As for the wheels, the Standard model receive the same 14-inch silver alloys wheels as before, while the Executive and Premium gain new 15-inch “Arrow” eight-spoke rollers wrapped in 185/55 R15 Atlas AS380 tyres; the Premium adds a two-tone finish.
New interior, twin displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
A similarly comprehensive makeover has occurred on the inside, where you’ll find a new dashboard with a modern horizontal design, a beach-inspired wavy pattern on the decor, pill-shaped air vents said to be inspired by congkak boards (and can now be closed) and returning fake stitching – all rendered in hard plastic, as is typical for this price range. Of course, your eyes will be drawn to the widescreen display panel that houses two screens, including a digital instrument display for the first time.
The seven-inch unit is fitted even to the base model and comes with two display options – a “traditional” theme with two (oddly unmarked) analogue dials for revs and speed, and “digital” with a minimised rev counter bar and an instant fuel consumption readout. Users can adjust various settings such as the overspeed warning and trip computer reset, all using the new flat-bottomed steering wheel from the X50.
On the left is a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen on the Executive and Premium models, running on on a simplified version of the Atlas operating system – still with a media player, Bluetooth connectivity and a “Hi Proton” voice control system. Despite being marketed to a wider audience, the Saga loses out on its sibling’s new Bahasa Malaysia option for the menus and voice control (despite the instrument display being available in BM), making do with just English.
Better news is the fact that wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be made available from launch, making the new Saga the first A-segment car to offer this feature. There’s no denying that this display setup has thoroughly modernised the car’s cabin, even if the large bezels necessitated by the relatively small and narrow screens are a touch unsightly.
The Standard instead uses a conventional radio/Bluetooth player; its integration into the widescreen panel will likely make it more difficult to install aftermarket units. It also continues to utilise capacitive touch buttons rather than physical controls, meaning that it still has all the downsides of a touchscreen with none of the benefits.
The air-con controls are new as well, continuing to feature two dials for adjusting the temperature and fan speed. Once again, there are no directional controls, so no airflow for the feet or the windscreen – an odd omission in this day and age. In the middle are two rows of buttons that streamline the functions of the old car’s upper and lower button rows, although the lower row is conspicuously all blank.
Lower down, the centre console is still narrow but now houses a new gearlever (now made more upmarket with a stitched boot) and cupholders arranged diagonally, enabling them to fit larger cups while still squeezing into the same cramped space. There’s still no armrest, of course, and the redesign does mean that the sole USB-A front port has had to be relocated to an awkward spot by the driver’s left knee – although that’s less of a problem now that there’s wireless smartphone mirroring.
The Premium’s front seats (left) versus the Executive
Elsewhere, the door panels are also new and repeat the dashboard’s wavy texture, although the door handles are carried over (and are hopefully more durable than those on Proton’s first wave of Geely-derived products). The seats remains identical, but the upholstery changes depending on the grade – standard fabric on the, um, Standard, wavy fabric on the Executive and black and grey faux leather on the Premium.
There’s another small but significant change on the Premium – the driver’s seat now adjusts by height using a more ergonomic ratchet lever, rather than the old car’s twist knob. It also moves the full seat instead of just the seat cushion.
Combined with the new Saga’s higher-mounted (still only tilt-adjustable) steering wheel, this makes for a much more comfortable driving experience. The other models weirdly still use the knob adjuster, which is sub-optimal. Front occupants still sit very high up relative to the rest of the car, as there is a cross member on the floor that prevents the seats from being mounted lower.
Moving to the rear, passengers there continue to receive twin USB-A ports at the back of the centre console, along with a storage compartment said to be big enough to house an iPhone 16 Pro Max. The headrests are fixed on the Standard as before, but the Executive and Premium gain adjustable units to improve comfort and safety; the centre occupant still does without any kind of headrest.
There are also no rear air vents or armrest, and the bench still folds in one piece. Proton touts wider seats (+1 cm at the front, +6 cm at the rear) with longer bases (+4 cm front, +1 cm rear) over the Saga’s “direct competitor”, which we take to mean the Bezza. One more thing – the fitment of curtain airbags on the Premium means that the headliner is thicker on the sides, impinging on headroom.
The boot remains a decent 420 litres (albeit much smaller than the Bezza’s 508 litres, and that car has 60:40 split-folding rear seats), and there’s still a space-saver spare tyre. The boot lid features a black cover as standard to hide the wires and pressed metal, making for a much neater appearance; the optional insulating panel will be inserted underneath.
Six airbags and ADAS now on, but only on Premium
Safety is another area where the Saga has taken a massive leap forward. The new electrical architecture has enabled the fitment of six airbags and numerous advanced driver assistance systems, the latter finally bringing it on par with the Bezza. These include autonomous emergency braking and front departure alert, along with features that are not offered on its rival, such as lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision warning, a door opening warning and automatic high beam.
The company is particularly proud of its AEB system, which can detect motorcycles and either prevent or mitigate collisions with them. Despite being tested on the 2021-2025 protocol, the Saga is claimed to be the first Malaysian car to pass ASEAN NCAP’s new AEB test for motorcycle detection, which will only be used officially starting with the forthcoming 2026-2030 protocol.
As expected for the price, these features are only fitted to the top-of-the-range Premium. Standard and Executive models receive only two airbags and no ADAS features, although ABS and stability control are thankfully offered across the range.
With the launch comes the full ASEAN NCAP crash test report. The new Saga scored 23.72 points of of 32 for adult occupant protection (AOP), 38.17 points out of 51 for child occupant protection (COP), 14 points out of 21 for safety assist features and seven points out of 16 for motorcycle safety features.
The agency found that the car provided only marginal protection for the driver’s chest for both offset frontal impact and side impact (the car was tested in Standard trim, without side and curtain airbags), which will have undoubtedly dragged the score down. The AOP score contributes 40% to the overall score, and with a weighted overall percentage score of 66.70%, the Saga’s performance was firmly in the four-star bracket.
Standard versus Executive versus Premium
Proton Saga 1.5 Executive A/T
All models have seen a significant spec bump – aside from all the new bits we’ve detailed earlier, including LED head- and taillights and a digital instrument display, the Standard also gains a push-button starter. Keyless entry is not included, however, so you’ll still have to thumb the key fob to unlock the doors, then put it back in your pocket to start the car. This is similar to older entry-level BMWs without Comfort Access (or, if you remember, the Prevé and Suprima, albeit without a key slot). There are also just two speakers.
To get keyless entry, you’ll have to stump up for the Executive, which also adds the infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four speakers, bigger wheels and LED DRLs. For the full experience, however, the Premium is the place to be, with all the safety kit, faux leather trim, external boot lid release and auto-folding mirrors. There are even a few things reserved for the top spec that you’d think would be standard on all cars today, such as an auto-down driver’s-side window (no auto up, I’m afraid).
Click to enlarge
The full variant breakdown is as follows:
2026 Proton Saga 1.5 Standard – RM37,990 Gets as standard:
Mechanicals
1.5 litre DOHC i-GT PFI engine
1,499 cc naturally-aspirated dual-VVT four-cylinder petrol
120 PS at 6,100 rpm, 150 Nm of torque at 4,000-5,000 rpm
4.9 litres per 100 km combined fuel consumption (MDC)
Exterior
Full-width LED taillights
15-inch two-tone alloy wheels
Side skirts
Black B-pillar trim
External boot release button
Interior
Black and dark grey interior
Driver’s side full-seat height adjuster
Faux leather upholstery and steering wheel wrap
Driver’s side auto-down window
Auto-folding door mirrors
Safety
Six airbags (front, side, curtain)
Autonomous emergency braking with motorcycle detection
Lane departure warning
Blind spot monitoring
Rear cross traffic alert
Rear collision warning
Door opening warning
Automatic high beam
The Saga is the first in the nameplate’s four-decade history not to be built in Shah Alam, production having been moved to Tanjung Malim since October. The engine is also built there at an adjacent facility, which previously made the GEP3 three-cylinder mills. Want to know how the car drives? Read our brief first drive impressions here.
GALLERY: 2026 Proton Saga 1.5 Premium CVT MC3
GALLERY: 2026 Proton Saga 1.5 Executive A/T MC3
GALLERY: 2026 Proton Saga 1.5 Standard A/T MC3
GALLERY: 2026 Proton Saga 1.5 Premium CVT MC3 in Ruby Red
GALLERY: 2026 Proton Saga 1.5 Premium CVT MC3 in Marine Blue
GALLERY: 2026 Proton Saga 1.5 Premium CVT MC3 in Space Grey
