Proton Saga 2022 Review

In Malaysia's A-segment sedan market, consumers' demand for "economical and practical" has never wavered—they want affordable prices while also valuing features and durability. The 2022 Proton Saga 1.3 Premium S AT, serving as the top-spec version in its lineup, is priced at RM 44,800 and aims to deliver a combination of "high cost-performance ratio + practical features." Through this test drive, we wanted to determine whether it can meet the daily needs of family users in terms of static experience and dynamic performance, and whether the additional features of the top-spec version are worth upgrading for.

Approaching the vehicle, the design of the 2022 Saga Premium S AT continues the family-style aesthetics of Proton, but the details appear more refined compared to lower trims. The "infinite weave" front grille features a moderate size and is flanked by sharp-edged halogen headlights, ensuring good recognizability. The side profile has clean lines, and the 185/55 R15 tire specifications make it visually more substantial than the 14-inch wheels of the Standard variant. The gap between the wheel arches and tires is well-controlled, avoiding any awkward "small wheel" appearance. At the rear, the horizontally-designed taillights are connected by a chrome strip, visually widening the car. The addition of rear fog lights also improves nighttime visibility. Overall, the design refrains from being overly aggressive, offering a timeless family-friendly look.

Stepping inside, the layout of the dashboard is clear and intuitive. The 7-inch touchscreen display sits as the visual centerpiece, supporting basic multimedia functions, and its operational smoothness meets expectations for this price range. The multifunction steering wheel is a standard feature for the Premium S variant; the left-side buttons control volume and track selection, while the right-side buttons adjust the instrument cluster display information, minimizing the need to look down during daily driving. The interior materials are primarily hard plastics, but the finish is neat and avoids any overtly cheap feeling. The seats are made of fabric material, with soft padding, and the manual adjustment range in the front seats can accommodate drivers of most heights. Notably, it comes with keyless entry and start functionality, which is considered a practical and convenient feature for this segment.

Space performance has always been a traditional strength of the Saga. The car's length of 4331mm and wheelbase of 2465mm place it at an above-average level within the A-segment. With the front seats adjusted to a comfortable position, the rear legroom still offers about two fists of space, ensuring that even passengers around 175cm tall won’t feel cramped. The roof design with recessed contours prevents any sense of oppressiveness in terms of headroom. The trunk offers 420L of storage space, which can easily accommodate two 20-inch suitcases along with some smaller items. The rear seats can be folded down to handle longer items when needed. As for storage compartments, the door pockets can fit two bottles of mineral water, while the central armrest box and glove box offer decent capacity. Additionally, a 220V power outlet is provided in the front row for connecting small appliances conveniently.

Starting the vehicle, the noise from the 1.3-liter naturally aspirated engine remains within an acceptable range. This engine delivers a maximum power output of 95PS, with peak torque generated at 4000rpm, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. During daily drives, the power output during takeoff is smooth, making it well-suited for urban traffic conditions. When accelerating, the transmission shifts smoothly, with noticeable power kicking in after the RPM exceeds 5000, though there’s no strong push-back sensation, as it’s positioned as a family car. The driving mode only offers a standard mode, without sport or eco options, and the overall tuning leans towards comfort.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is lightweight, making it easy for women to drive without feeling strained. The steering play is not too big, and it feels agile when changing lanes or parking in the city. The tuning of the front MacPherson suspension leans towards softness, filtering out most small bumps when driving over speed bumps or uneven roads. However, when passing over larger bumps at high speed, the car body may experience slight residual vibrations. The cornering performance is average; body roll is not obvious, making it suitable for daily commuting, but intense driving is not its strength.

In the fuel consumption testing segment, we simulated a combination of urban congestion and highway cruising. The final fuel consumption was recorded at 7.1L per 100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 6.7L. However, considering frequent starts and stops and the constant use of air conditioning during the test drive, this result is acceptable. The fuel tank capacity is 40L, allowing the car to travel about 560 kilometers on a full tank, which should be sufficient for a week's commute. Regarding braking, the combination of front ventilated disc brakes and rear drum brakes offers a linear pedal feel. There is some play in the initial stage, but the braking force is released promptly with deeper presses, ensuring adequate safety for daily driving.

In terms of ride comfort, the Saga's performance meets expectations. The fabric seats offer average support but remain comfortable for extended periods of sitting. Engine noise is not noticeable at idle, but after the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise and tire noise gradually become audible in the cabin, although they do not interfere with normal conversation. The air conditioning is manually adjusted and cools quickly. Although there are no independent rear air vents, the front air output is sufficient to cool the rear row quickly.

Overall, the 2022 Proton Saga 1.3 Premium S AT's core advantages are clear: practical space, adequate features, and an affordable price. Compared to segment competitors, such as the Perodua Bezza 1.3 X, it has a longer wheelbase and more spacious interior. When compared to Proton's own Standard variant, the Premium S adds useful features like a multifunction steering wheel, 15-inch rims, and four speakers, enhancing daily usability.

The target audience for this car is very clear — families with a budget within RM 45,000 who value "durability and sufficient space." It can easily handle daily commutes, picking up children, and short weekend trips. If you don’t need overly fancy features and just want a reliable vehicle for daily use, the Saga Premium S AT is a practical choice.

In conclusion, the 2022 Proton Saga 1.3 Premium S AT is not a "stunning" car, but it is a car that "understands its users" — addressing the core needs of family users at the lowest cost. In the A-segment market, it remains a strong contender in terms of value for money.