The third generation Proton Saga, codenamed P2-13A, is an A-segment saloon engineered by Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton. It was launched on 28 September 2016 as the successor to the second generation Proton Saga.
The third generation Saga is based on the outgoing Saga FLX platform and is powered by the Iriz's 1.3-litre VVT engine. Proton has completely re-engineered the exterior design of the new Saga. Its interior has been revamped and refined with an emphasis on NVH reduction.
The third generation Saga is positioned as Proton's entry-level sedan, below the larger B-segment Persona. Safety standards have been improved with the introduction of electronic stability control (ESC) and a 20% stronger body structure. ASEAN NCAP has awarded a 4-star safety rating for the new Saga.
History
Post-launch
The third generation Proton Saga was officially launched on 28 September 2016 at Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Malaysia. The launch event was covered in an exclusive live broadcast by paultan.org, and was endorsed by Khairy Jamaluddin on behalf of the then Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The third generation Saga is the latest Proton model to use an existing nameplate and directly replaces the second generation Saga which was produced from early 2008 to late 2016. The new Saga launched approximately one month after the new Persona, its larger and more sophisticated sibling.
The third generation Saga is based on Saga FLX platform, its predecessor but the exterior and interior design has been completely re-engineered. The new Saga is powered by the Iriz's 1.3-litre VVT engine and CVT combination, both of which have been further refined for improved fuel efficiency, reduced NVH and smoother driving experience.
At launch, four variants of the new Saga were made available, namely the Standard MT, Standard CVT, Executive CVT and Premium CVT. The various trim levels differ mainly in terms of kit, cosmetic enhancements, and safety features, but are otherwise mechanically identical.
Twin airbags are standard across the range, but ABS is not available on the entry-level Standard, and ESC is reserved for the range-topping Premium. ASEAN NCAP has awarded a four-star rating for all variants of the new Saga.
As of 17 October 2016, Proton has received 6,000 bookings for the new Saga, of which 1,000 have been delivered. Proton is targeting sales of 5,000 units a month.
Proton has announced plans to export the third generation Saga to right-hand drive ASEAN markets, as well as Chile. Production for export markets will commence in early 2017. In January 2021, it was reported that the third generation Saga was undergoing evaluation in Pakistan by Al-Haj Group. The 5-speed manual transmission and the four-speed automatic transmission variants are being brought to Pakistan with the 1299cc engine under the hood. This is due to tax benefits for cars that have engines that are 1300cc and above, which would help keep the car affordable.
On 6 August 2019, a first facelifted Proton Saga was launched at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It's considered as minor change internally but as a facelift to the general public. The naturally aspirated DOHC VVT engine is no longer paired to a CVT made by Punch Powertrain, but a four-speed torque converter automatic gearbox sourced from Hyundai. The Executive variant was dropped with the range consisting of Standard MT, Standard AT and Premium AT.
On 21 August 2020, Proton announced exports of the Saga to Kenya via local franchise holder Simba Corp. The Saga is locally assembled from imported CKD packs at Simba Corp's Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) plant in Mombasa. The decision to assemble the Saga locally was made to keep prices competitive by reducing import taxes, and to spur Kenya's automotive industry with employment creation and skill transfer. The Saga was officially launched in Kenya on 10 December 2020.
On 18 December 2020, it was announced that the Saga will be exported to Nepal when Jagdamba Motors, the Nepalese automotive company starts operations there by January 2021. The vehicle was officially launched on 14 January 2021.
On 12 May 2022, a second facelifted Proton Saga MC2 was launched inside Proton Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam, Malaysia. At launch, Proton introduced the new Premium S AT variant, followed with Standard Lite AT on 26 August 2022, besides the remaining Standard MT, Standard AT and Premium AT variants. The powertrain and features of second-facelifted Proton Saga remain unchanged with minor upgrades and modifications.
On 31 May 2022, Proton Sagas are shipped to South Africa with X50s and X70s through South African's CMH Group company as distributor.
On 12 September 2024, Proton started the shipment of the first batch of Proton Saga production components to Egypt with Ezz Elsewedy Automotive Factories (ESAF). These components will be used for local assembly, with plans of exporting the finished vehicles to North African and Middle Eastern markets.
According to a market insight, Proton claims that 64% of Saga buyers are first-time car buyers, 18% are additional car buyers and the remaining 17% are replacement car buyers. Of the 57,674 samples taken for a survey in late 2024, about 59% of the buyers are male, while 41% are female. Furthermore, 48% are married with children and 41% are single.
Design
The new third generation Saga continues to utilise the second generation Saga platform, which underpinned the previous BLM, FL and FLX models between 2008 and 2016. The second generation Saga is in turn based on an extended Proton Savvy platform, dating back to 2005. The model or platform code 'BT', which Proton has assigned to the third generation Saga is similarly used for all second-generation Saga variants, in addition to the Savvy. Nonetheless, in the latest 2016 platform revision, Proton has extended both front and rear overhangs and re-engineered the entire body structure to warrant a generational leap. The interior has also been revamped, with a focus on increased refinement as well as tactile or perceived quality.
The third generation Saga was developed at a cost of RM150 million. Proton aims to break-even in 3 years with a monthly sales target of 5,000 units. The company has kept development costs relatively low by recycling as much as 60% of parts and components from the outgoing Saga, and by borrowing some equipment from other Proton models. Proton has announced that an updated Saga will launch in 2025, as the company intends to maintain a shorter 5-year product cycle with their best-selling Saga nameplate.
Exterior The third generation Proton Saga measures 4,331 mm long, 1,689 mm wide and 1,491 mm tall. The wheelbase length at 2,465 mm has remained unchanged since the Saga BLM, but both front and rear overhangs have been extended by 44mm and 30mm respectively. The boot volume is rated at 420 litres, 7 litres larger than the outgoing model. The third generation Saga is approximately 74mm longer, 9mm wider and 11mm shorter than the Saga BLM and 53mm longer, 9mm wider and 29mm shorter than the Saga FL and Saga FLX family.
Despite the fact that the third generation Saga is all-round larger than its second-generation siblings, it is marketed as an A-segment or A+-segment sedan. In contrast, the second generation Saga was classified as a B-segment model throughout its life cycle. The disparity in size and classification is the result of Proton's revised marketing strategy which aims to prevent product overlapping and sales cannibalisation. The Saga has ceded the B-segment sedan bracket to the new Proton Persona, and would no longer offer a 1.6-litre engine option. Nonetheless, the Saga will continue on sale as Proton's most affordable sedan, a distinction which it has held for over 31 years.
The third generation Saga shares its platform with the outgoing generation, but its 'top hat' or body in white (BIW) is all-new as the result of extensive re-engineering during its development process. With the exception of the wing mirror housings, all other exterior body panels are new and unique to the third generation Saga. The new Saga has a sleeker external profile, and its drag coefficient has been reduced to 0.33 . Proton's three new 2016 sedans, namely the Perdana, Persona and Saga were all designed concurrently, resulting in a strong family resemblance. The new Saga features halogen reflector headlamps like its predecessors, but its rear lamps have reverted to more conventional bulb-based lighting as opposed to LEDs, to cut costs and pricing. However, all new Saga variants get a rear fog light as standard and Proton lettering inserts for both front and rear lamps. The new Saga is also the third model to feature Proton's new sculptured, three-dimensional badge.
The various cosmetic enhancements in the new Saga are preset according to their respective trim levels. The door handles are matte black on the Standard variants, but are painted in the body colour in the Executive and Premium lines. The wing mirror housings are also matte in the Standard, but are body coloured in the Executive and Premium. The wing mirrors do not incorporate a power-folding feature, but are nonetheless power-adjustable in the Executive and Premium. The B-pillars are body colour coded in the Standard, but are blacked out in the Executive and Premium. The rear garnish is matte black in the Standard, body-colored in the Executive, and chrome plated in the Premium. A rear boot lid lip spoiler is only fitted on the Executive and Premium lines.
The Standard is equipped with 13-inch steel rims and hubcaps carried over from the second generation Saga. Both Executive and Premium variants feature new alloy wheels. Proton has fitted their 14-inch 'snowflake' Y-spoke rims on the Executive, and 15-inch 'turbine' split-spoke rims on the Premium. Front fog lights are only available on the Executive and Premium lines. The 2016 Saga was produced in six colours, namely Fire Red, Cotton White, Topaz Blue, Sterling Silver, Midnight Black, and Metal Grey.
The 2019 Proton Saga key design changes include revised front fascia with Proton's new infinite weave design language and Proton lettering on the rear as well as redesigned front and rear bumpers. The Standard MT variant features 14-inch steel rims and hubcaps last seen with Proton's Iriz design concepts and Standard AT features single tone 14-inch alloy wheels. Premium AT variants get 15-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. Front and rear fog lamps is discontinued with LED DRL's taking the place of the front fog lamps on the Premium AT variant. On Standard variants, in place of LED DRL's is a body colour plastic piece with a similar design to that found on B-Line Saga BLM's. Power-adjustable wing mirrors are standard for all variants. The 2019 Saga is produced in five colours, namely Snow White, Armoured Silver, Jet Grey, Rosewood Maroon and Ruby Red.
The 2022 Proton Saga shows off the latest roundel logo and curved Ethereal Bow strip cradling the logo under the remaining Infinite Weave design language instead of the straight strip of 2019 Saga. Both Premium AT and Premium S AT variants get 15-inch new design "four-spoke look" of alloy wheels, with monotone finishing on Premium and dual-tone finishing on Premium S. Side mirror housings of both Premium and Premium S variants are black-painted instead of body colour of 2019 Saga Premium variant. Premium S variant differs with Premium variant by addition of side skirtings, side-cornered front bumper skirtings, red-painted Ethereal Bow strip, black-painted rear number plate garnish, smart key button and exterior boot-opening button. The colours for 2022 Saga remain unchanged.
Interior