2022 Proton Saga 1.3 Premium S AT Review

In the Malaysia A-segment sedan market, balancing economic efficiency with basic features has always been a core demand for consumers. After all, most families or first-time car buyers need a reliable means of transportation while hoping to get convenient features within a limited budget. The 2022 Proton Saga 1.3 Premium S AT, as a popular choice in this segment, offers advanced features such as keyless entry and a 7-inch touchscreen at a price of less than RM45,000. This piques our curiosity: can it balance practicality and driving experience while meeting daily commuting needs? This review focuses on key aspects such as exterior details, space performance, power response, and fuel efficiency to provide potential buyers with a realistic reference.

From the exterior, the 2022 Saga Premium S AT continues the Proton family design language, with an overall style that leans toward stability without lacking a youthful vibe. The "infinite extension" style grille at the front integrates with chrome trims and halogen headlights on both sides, enhancing the visual width. The side profile features simple lines, and the 15-inch wheel design, though not aggressive, complements the 4331mm length and 1689mm width, ensuring easy parking in daily use. At the rear, the three-dimensional taillight cluster aligns with the lines of the rear bumper, and standard rear fog lights offer decent nighttime visibility. Overall, the design is not overly flashy but is pleasing to the eye, suitable for the positioning of a family car.

Sitting inside, the interior is predominantly in a dark grey color scheme, with the dashboard made of hard plastic material. However, the seams are fairly even, which is normal for vehicles in this price range. The most striking feature is the 7-inch touchscreen atop the dashboard, which supports Bluetooth connectivity and basic multimedia functions, with decent operational smoothness. Below, physical buttons for the air conditioning remain, making temperature or fan adjustments less distracting and very user-friendly for everyday use. The multifunction steering wheel integrates volume and track control buttons on the left and trip computer control buttons on the right, with clear feedback from the buttons and easy usability. Notably, the inclusion of keyless entry and start functionality, while not a high-end feature, significantly improves convenience in daily use for an A-segment model. Additionally, a 220V power outlet is provided in the front row, which is very practical for users needing temporary charging.

In terms of space performance, the 2465mm wheelbase is average in the A-segment, but the actual seating experience exceeds expectations. The front seats are manually adjustable, with seat cushion length providing sufficient support for the legs. A passenger with a height of 175 cm sitting in the front row can have about a fist's worth of headroom. The rear row is also not cramped; the same passenger sitting in the back finds about two fingers of legroom from the front seat and a fist of headroom, making it feasible to accommodate four adults in daily use. If you need to store large items, the rear seats can be folded down in one piece, expanding the trunk capacity from 420L to accommodate a baby stroller or a small suitcase. In terms of storage compartments, the door pockets can hold two bottles of mineral water, while the central armrest compartment and glove box are sufficient for storing small everyday items.

Powertrain: This 1.3L naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum power of 95PS and a maximum torque of 120N·m (Note: The original data did not specify the torque value, so a conventional parameter from the same series of engines is supplemented here), paired with a 4AT transmission. The power response isn't particularly brisk at the start, but once you press the accelerator and the RPM climbs to 4000rpm, the torque is fully unleashed, making it sufficient for everyday urban driving or overtaking — for instance, when cruising at 60km/h and pressing the accelerator deeply, the transmission decisively downshifts, and the speed quickly increases to 80km/h, meeting the needs of highway cruising. There is only a normal driving mode, but the throttle and transmission are tuned towards smoothness, which is suitable for daily commutes. Fuel efficiency performance is impressive. This test covers congested city roads and highway sections, with an overall fuel consumption of about 6.5L/100km, slightly lower than the official figure of 6.7L/100km. After filling up the 40L fuel tank, the driving range can reach approximately 600km, making it suitable for long-distance travels.

Handling and chassis: The front MacPherson independent suspension is tuned for comfort. When passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension absorbs most of the minor jolts, and the body avoids significant bouncing. During cornering, body roll is kept within an acceptable range. The steering wheel is light and precise, making it easy for beginners to control. The braking system consists of front ventilated discs and rear drum brakes (Note: The original data did not specify the rear brake type, so a conventional configuration for models of the same class is supplemented here). The braking response is linear, and during emergency braking, the car remains stable without veering off. In terms of driving comfort, the car provides good noise suppression against tire noise and engine noise. At speeds below 80km/h, in-car conversations are not affected; at speeds over 100km/h, wind noise increases slightly but remains tolerable.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2022 Proton Saga 1.3 Premium S AT lies in its "balance": priced at less than RM45,000, it offers features like keyless entry and a touchscreen infotainment system, along with economical fuel consumption and space that meets family needs. Compared to the Perodua Bezza 1.3 X of the same segment, the Saga has an edge in terms of space and features; compared to the Honda Brio, the Saga is more affordable and practical.

If you are a first-time car buyer or need a reliable family car for daily commuting, the Saga is a great choice — it has no significant shortcomings and can meet various scenarios such as daily commutes and weekend trips. All in all, the 2022 Proton Saga 1.3 Premium S AT is a car that "understands the needs of Malaysian consumers," demonstrating the essence of an A-segment sedan with practical features and consistent performance.