Proton does not build many cars like the Proton Saga (third generation): a 4-door sedan with Petrol engine, built from 2016 to 2025 as electrification stopped being an experiment and the crossover took every market. Its designer of record is Azlan Othman.
The story
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.
What is underneath
Under the skin sits Petrol engine; other versions carried different engines, listed in the specification table below. Kerb weight is 1061 –. The gearbox is a 5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic / Punch Powertrain CVT (2016–2019, 2025−present). The layout matters: the engine drives the front wheels, the packaging choice that gives a small car a big cabin. The wheelbase is 2465 mm. These are manufacturer figures carried by Wikipedia and Wikidata, not road-test measurements.
Its place in the line
Where it sits in Proton's history is not in doubt: the Proton Saga / (second generation) came before it; the Proton Saga / (fourth generation) followed it; it was built at Shah Alam. On a showroom list of its day it stood against the Chevrolet Bolt, the Chevrolet Camaro, the Ferrari 488. Nearby in the Proton catalogue sit the Proton Perdana and the Proton Arena.
Proton1983
Proton Saga 
Proton Saga 
Proton Saga