Kuala Lumpur, 27 November 2025 –The wait is officially over. Proton just pulled the wraps off the all-new Saga, and honestly? This isn't your dad's first car anymore. Malaysia's most iconic sedan has gotten a serious glow-up, and it's ready to prove that affordable doesn't mean outdated.
Launched today at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Senator Tengku Zafrul in attendance, the 2025 Saga kicks off at RM37,990 (after a RM1,000 launch rebate) and comes loaded with tech that would've seemed like science fiction when the original rolled out in 1985.
Four Decades Strong, But Make It Modern
Here's the headline: Proton's built this new Saga on their brand-new Advanced Modular Architecture (AMA) platform, and they actually own the intellectual property rights to it. That's a big deal for Malaysia's automotive industry—it means we're not just assembling cars, we're engineering them from the ground up.
The partnership with Geely since 2017 has clearly paid off. While Proton gets to tap into global innovation, they're keeping the local expertise front and center. The result? A car that CEO Dr. Li Chunrong calls "Made for Malaysians, Engineered for the World."
And Malaysians seem to agree—over 20,000 bookings are already in the bag, with deliveries starting immediately for early birds.
What Makes It an I.C.O.N.?
Proton's marketing this one under the tagline "Intelligence That Thrills," breaking it down as I.C.O.N.—Impressive Performance, Comprehensive Safety, Optimised Intelligence, and Next-Gen Styling. Let's dig into what that actually means:
Performance That Doesn't Guzzle Fuel
Under the hood sits Proton's new i-GT 1.5 engine paired with a CVT transmission. The real win here? Fuel efficiency of 4.9L/100km based on the Malaysia Driving Cycle. With petrol prices what they are, that's going to matter to a lot of wallets. Plus, the new Electric Power Steering system makes handling feel more precise than previous generations.
Safety That Actually Protects
Six airbags come standard, along with nine Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features. Proton's also strengthened the body structure with their Reinforced Safety Structure (RESS) using high-performance components. Translation? This car is built to protect you when things go wrong.
Tech That Connects
The standout feature has to be the 16-inch integrated dual screen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. No more fumbling with cables. You also get auto headlamps, Follow-Me-Home lighting (so you're not walking to your door in the dark), and headlamp leveling.
Style With Malaysian Soul
The design language is where Proton really leans into national pride. That front grille? It's inspired by Sulaman Songket, traditional Malaysian textile craft. Paired with full LED projector headlamps and a LED tail light bar, it's a distinctly Malaysian look that doesn't feel cheesy or forced.
Three Variants, Five Colors, Lots of Perks
The new Saga comes in Standard, Executive, and Premium trims, with prices (after rebate) ranging from RM37,990 to RM48,990 for Peninsular Malaysia. East Malaysian buyers will pay RM2,000 more across the board.
Color options include Marine Blue, Space Grey, Ruby Red, Armour Silver, and Snow White—something for everyone from the understated to the bold.
Every purchase includes a 5-year/150,000km warranty and three free labor services. But here's where it gets interesting: Proton's launch package offers either up to RM1,500 in trade-in support (Pro-Trade-in), or RM2,000 to help deregister your old banger if it's past roadworthy (Pro-Xchange). Financing starts at 2.6% through Pro-Finance.
If you go with Proton's insurance program (Pro-Shield), you'll get special perils coverage, flood relief up to RM2,000, and passenger accident coverage up to RM15,000 per person for up to four passengers. That's valid until December 31, 2025.
After-Sales Gets an Upgrade Too
Proton's also stepping up their service game. Book ahead and stay at the service center, and you'll get Fast Service for basic maintenance. They're also introducing 1-Day Service Delivery—your car back within 24 hours regardless of whether you booked or walked in.
If repairs take longer than three working days, Proton will give you a relief car and throw in one free service session. That's a solid commitment to keeping owners happy beyond the showroom.
The Bottom Line
Is the all-new Saga perfect? We'll need proper road tests to say for sure. But on paper, Proton's delivering a compelling package that honors 40 years of history while actually moving forward with the times. For buyers looking at the RM40-50k range, this deserves serious consideration.
The original Saga put Malaysia on the automotive map. Four decades later, this new one just might keep us there.
Pricing Summary:
- Standard: RM37,990 (Peninsular) / RM39,990 (East Malaysia)
- Executive: RM43,990 (Peninsular) / RM45,990 (East Malaysia)
- Premium: RM48,990 (Peninsular) / RM50,990 (East Malaysia)
Prices include RM1,000 launch rebate. Terms and conditions apply to all promotional packages.
- PakChaq Riq
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