2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift launched – Premium S variant, revised dash, ESC on Standard, from RM34.4k

2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift launched – Premium S variant, revised dash, ESC on Standard, from RM34.4k

Here it is, the 2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift. You’ve seen the spyshots and teasers; now here’s the ‘minor change’ of Proton’s A-segment sedan in full, officially launched this morning. As you can see, the changes aren’t major. This update focuses on equipment to keep the Saga competitive against its chief domestic rival, the Perodua Bezza, plus minor aesthetic details in and out, which we will detail here.

No changes mechanically – the Saga continues with the familiar 1.3 litre four-cylinder NA engine with 95 PS at 5,750 rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The DOHC VVT unit is paired to a five-speed manual gearbox in the base Standard MT or a Hyundai-sourced four-speed auto in the other variants. This 4AT replaced the previous CVT in the August 2019 facelift. Since then, Proton sold 123,512 units of the sedan.

By the way, the Standard MT is now the only manual variant in the entire Proton range after the 2022 Iriz/Persona facelift went full auto. Speaking of variants, the 2022 Saga range starts from the Standard MT and Standard AT, before jumping to the Premium (no Executive in the middle). New for 2022 is the range-topping Premium S, which exclusively gets many of the new features you’ll read about here.

2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift launched – Premium S variant, revised dash, ESC on Standard, from RM34.4k

The Saga range now starts from RM34,400 for the Standard MT, and it’s RM38,300 for the Standard AT. The Premium AT is yours for RM41,300, while the Premium S tops out the range at RM44,300. Prices are on-the-road excluding insurance, with sales tax exemption, valid till June 30.

If you’re keeping count, these Saga prices are a fair bit higher than before, by RM2,000 (Standard MT), RM3,000 (Standard AT) and RM2,000 (Premium), respectively. By the way, P2’s Bezza starts lower than the Saga MT (RM33,456 for the 1.0 G MT) and tops out higher than the Saga Premium S (RM48,356 for the 1.3 AV AT), but the base Bezza is a 1.0L car and the top one has the ASA safety pack.

New exterior details

The changes are minimal, and the Saga continues with the same bumpers and lights at both ends, which means that there’s no upgrade to LED headlamps from halogens. There’s a small change to the grille – Proton’s new round logo is present, after the ‘uncaged’ tiger appeared on the Iriz/Persona. The ‘Infinite Weave’ pattern remains, but there’s an indent on the ‘Ethereal Bow’ strip below where it cradles the logo – the previous strip was a straight line.

The strip is in red only on the Premium S though; it remains as silver on the Standard and Premium. The Premium S (for Sport, we presume) is also the only one to get side skirts and front bumper skirts. The latter consists of two pieces of add-ons at the corners of the front bumpers, as opposed to a full width piece. Together with the side skirts, it gives the Saga slightly lowered look.

However, the rear bumper has been left alone and there are no side add-ons at the back, so it’s not quite a full bodykit. The neat bootlid spoiler has been on every variant of the 2019 Saga, and so is the case here.

Only the Premium S gets a black number plate garnish for the Proton script to sit on; it’s body coloured for the rest. Speaking of black paint, the wing mirrors are now in that instead of body colour. On the Standard, the mirror caps and door handles are also in black, but that’s because they’re unpainted plastic.

Lastly, rims. The 2022 Saga gets a striking set of 15-inch alloys. The two-tone wheel design has many spokes, but only four are picked out in bright silver for a “four-spoke look”. This look is reserved for the Premium S – the Premium actually has the same wheel, but it looks a lot more “regular” in single-tone. The Standard AT carries over the same 14-inch alloys while the Standard MT gets steel wheels with caps.

Both wheel sizes come with Atlas AS380 tyres – 175/65 for the 14″ and 185/55 for the 15″. Atlas is a brand of China’s Linglong Tire. Proton says that the new tyres reduce road noise and increase grip, while damping rates have been revised for better ride comfort and handling.

Interior changes

2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift launched – Premium S variant, revised dash, ESC on Standard, from RM34.4k

The interior changes might be more meaningful. Proton has given the Saga’s centre console another redesign. Compared to the outgoing version, the phone slot below the central AC vents are gone, replaced by a much larger cubby next to the 12V socket and USB port. This layout should be better for phone charging – at present, the wire needs to “climb a few floors” and a charging phone that juts out high in the console is unsightly.

The better utilisation of space continues at the cupholder area, which now gets an extra storage pad. Also new is the air con control panel, which has two Iriz/Persona-style knobs and two buttons in the middle. Unlike the B-segment duo, there’s no display or piano-style keys here (no air flow adjustment too), but it looks much better than the previous three-knob layout.

Interestingly, only the Premium S gets a new infotainment system. Still with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, it gets a new OS with new graphics, a slightly different home screen, a Proton logo home button and Perodua-style ‘please check your belongings’ reminder screen when you turn off the car. For smartphone integration, it supports Android and iOS. Note that the connection is via screen mirroring and not Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

The Premium’s touchscreen system is carried over, with only Android connectivity. Both are hooked up to four speakers (two speakers for Standard’s screenless head unit), but only the Premium S screen bezel is in black (silver for Premium). Elsewhere, the steering wheel gets a new airbag boss with the new Proton logo.

Red bits for the new Premium S

You won’t mistake the Premium S interior for any other Saga variant’s, thanks to the prominent red highlights on the AC vent frames (side and central, including directional tabs) and meter rings. The tiny button borders on the AC control panel and steering buttons are also in red.

Coloured meter rings aren’t a new idea for the Saga – the Anniversary Edition from 2020 had yellow rings plus yellow highlights on the air con vents and centre stack, but the MC2 goes further with its red. Exclusive to the Premium S is leatherette wrap on the steering and semi-leatherette seats – the stitching on these are red, as are the piping for the floor mats.

2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift launched – Premium S variant, revised dash, ESC on Standard, from RM34.4k

All the red dash bits are silver in the Premium and unpainted (black) in the Standard. The full-fabric seat covers for both these variants are carried over – they’re monotone, but the Premium gets a subtle quilted pattern.

Convenience features

Saga owners can finally get a taste of keyless entry with push start, but that’s only available on the Premium S. The start-stop button is on the lower right of the steering wheel, next to where the keyhole is on the Standard/Premium.

The range-topper is also the only 2022 Saga to have an auto-down driver’s power window and auto-folding wing mirrors (electronic adjustment is standard). It’s not mentioned in the spec sheet, but the Premium S gets an exterior boot release button. As for the other variants, one can open the boot from the inside of the car, or via the key fob.

2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift launched – Premium S variant, revised dash, ESC on Standard, from RM34.4k

Interior of the 2022 Saga Premium AT

Let’s run through the spec sheet. The Standard gets electric side mirrors, the above-mentioned boot release button on the remote, tilt-adjustable steering, Eco drive assist, power windows, driver’s seat height adjuster (knob), fold down rear seats, AC with N95 cabin filter, a 12V power socket, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors. The MT gets only one front USB port, but the AT has three (one front, two rear).

The Premium will be where it starts for some, as it adds on LED daytime running lights, 15-inch alloys, a luggage lamp, the mentioned carryover 7.0-inch touchscreen with reverse camera, steering buttons and front parking sensors.

Going for the top Premium S gets you all the new features detailed above plus a full-black cabin. It’s all dark, from the seats to the headlining (including the map lamp housing and grab handles), but it is as if Proton forgot to black out the B pillars and seatbelt heads, which are in light grey (front and rear pillars are black).

Push start button, exterior boot release and black headlining are exclusive to the Premium S

In the safety department, two airbags plus ABS/EBD/BA and rear seat Isofix child seat mounts are standard across the board. Electronic stability control (ESC) and hill hold assist – previously exclusive to the Premium – are now standard from the Standard AT onwards. As mentioned, reverse camera and front parking sensors start from the Premium. Autonomous emergency braking is not available.

To sum it up, the 2022 Proton Saga MC2 is pretty much the same car as before, save for a new logo and a rearranged centre console. ESC has been brought down to the Standard AT level, while the Premium is largely unchanged (no more two-tone wheels). All the headlining new equipment are reserved for the new Premium S, which gets the flashy wheels, semi-bodykit, all-black interior with red accents, keyless entry/push start and updated infotainment, among other things. Boot popper and auto-fold wing mirrors too.

No change in available colours, which are Snow White, Armoured Silver, Jet Grey, Rosewood Maroon (purple) and Ruby Red. The Standard can be had in all colours except for Ruby Red, the Premium is available in all five colours, while Premium S buyers can only choose from silver, grey and red.

The 2022 Saga range starts from RM34,400 for the Standard MT and RM38,300 for the Standard AT. The Premium is priced at RM41,300 while the new Premium S with all the bells and whistles is yours for RM44,300. All are OTR without insurance, with SST exemption. Walk-around video, specs and galleries of all three grades below.

2022 Proton Saga Standard MT – RM34,400
Gets as standard:

Mechanicals

  • 1.3 litre VVT DOHC engine
  • 1,332 cc naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol
  • 95 PS at 5,750 rpm, 120 Nm at 4,000 rpm
  • Five-speed manual transmission
  • Ventilated brake discs (front), drums (rear)

Exterior

  • Halogen reflector headlights
  • 14-inch steel wheels with 175/65-section tyres
  • Power-adjustable door mirrors with manual fold
  • Wing mirror turn signals
  • Bee sting antenna
  • Remote trunk release

2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift launched – Premium S variant, revised dash, ESC on Standard, from RM34.4k

Interior

  • New centre console, new AC control panel
  • Urethane steering wheel, tilt adjustable
  • LCD multi-info display
  • ECO drive assist light
  • Power windows
  • Black fabric seats with manual adjustment
  • Folding rear bench
  • Manual air-con with N95 cabin filter
  • Radio with Bluetooth connectivity
  • Two speakers
  • One front USB port
  • One 12V power socket

Safety

  • Dual airbags
  • ABS with EBD and brake assist
  • Rear ISOFIX child seat anchors
  • Rear parking sensors

2022 Proton Saga Standard AT – RM38,300
Adds on:

Mechanicals

  • Four-speed automatic transmission

Exterior

  • 14-inch alloy wheels with 175/65-section tyres

Interior

  • Two rear USB ports

Safety

  • Electronic stability control
  • Traction control
  • Hill hold assist

2022 Proton Saga Premium – RM41,300
Adds on:

Exterior

  • LED daytime running lights
  • 15-inch alloy wheels with 185/55-section tyres
  • Black B-pillar trim
  • Black-painted wing mirror caps
  • Body-colour door handles

Interior

  • Multifunction urethane steering wheel
  • Fabric seat upholstery with quilted pattern
  • 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android phone connectivity
  • Four speakers
  • Boot lamp

Safety

  • Front parking sensors
  • Reverse camera

2022 Proton Saga Premium S – RM44,300
Adds on:

Exterior

  • 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels with 185/55-section tyres
  • Front bumper skirts
  • Side skirts
  • Red ‘Ethereal Bow’ strip on grille
  • Black rear number plate garnish
  • Auto-fold wing mirrors
  • Keyless entry with boot release button

2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift launched – Premium S variant, revised dash, ESC on Standard, from RM34.4k

Interior

  • Leatherette steering wheel with red stitching
  • Leatherette-fabric seats
  • Push start button
  • Driver’s side auto down power window
  • Red meter rings, AC vent borders, steering/AC button trim
  • Black headlining and pillars
  • New 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android/iOS phone connectivity

GALLERY: 2022 Proton Saga Premium S

GALLERY: 2022 Proton Saga Premium

GALLERY: 2022 Proton Saga Standard AT

GALLERY: 2022 Proton Saga official images

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • dong gor on May 12, 2022 at 10:47 am

    Though nothing is interesting in terms of design, but as far as value is concerned, it’s really a bargain! something good for rakyat!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 44 Thumb down 1
    • meladam on May 12, 2022 at 11:41 am

      WHY ON EARTH THE PUSH START BUTTON AT THAT SIDE? NOT IN THE EMPTY ROUNDED HARD PLASTIC ON TOP OF THE DASHHH

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 6
      • exactly!
        only proton know why they need to have the same thing but only 1 with purpose

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
      • Brian on May 13, 2022 at 1:18 am

        Err what the…. clearly can see both roundels are of different size so if the bigger push start button cannot fit into the smaller hole, of course they would locate at the more appropriate location. Rather than shouting here please use some brains.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 3
        • Up to you... on May 13, 2022 at 11:49 pm

          C’mon. If your conclusion that we need to redesign the whole dashboard (mould) to accommodate bigger push start & off button (for smaller holes). Then either you have your brain the size of peanut or too big until cair thru both of your ears.

          Just make the push start button a bit smaller for cost-cutting measure.

          Unless P1 planning to make that smaller hole for push off button for MC3. They need to reserve that for their incoming minor change 3 right?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 6
          • Wondering on May 19, 2022 at 12:50 am

            Those dislike never heard of sarcasm? Or is it B40 truly doesn’t have a choice (just design and feed them anyway) or at least taste with their hard earn money?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Anonymous_C on May 12, 2022 at 10:57 am

    some says why reinvent the wheel… thus these new wheels is as good as that old complicated ones from 2016

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
    • Raja Celup on May 12, 2022 at 12:11 pm

      Lol at the kipas KDK sport rims and lipstick red lines! Lmao!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 5
    • tatu880 on May 12, 2022 at 12:27 pm

      The 2019 Premium 15 inch wheels sure looks nicer and sportier than this 2022 4-spoke ones.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
  • Kapchai on May 12, 2022 at 11:02 am

    Now it has the Atlas Tyres by China Ling Long.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 4
    • John Doe on May 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm

      Better than silverstone

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 6
      • Kapchai on May 12, 2022 at 4:21 pm

        Persona high spec – Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2
        Pereona mid spec – Ling Long Atlas AS380

        Saga’s Tyre as good as Persona Mid spec Tyre.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
    • Raja Celup on May 12, 2022 at 4:23 pm

      Ling Long > All !!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 4
  • Semiconductor on May 12, 2022 at 11:21 am

    Why is ESC not available on the MT model? Typical nonsense from Proton. Don’t bother selling a manual model if you are stripping it from essential safety equipment.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 6
    • Anonymous on May 12, 2022 at 12:10 pm

      The manual transmission is hardly ever bought anymore. You might argue a handful of enthusiasts who prefer a manual, but the Saga is hardly the car to get that excitement. The manual gearbox they get is cheap and rubbery. Better than Myvi’s, but nothing noteworthy. People buy manual Saga because it’s cheap to buy and maintain. Putting ESC in it would put it’s price closer to the standard AT, so then why have the Manual at all?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 6
    • KhairulH on May 25, 2022 at 6:59 pm

      At least now they provide abs to the manual, which i think is more important. Back then during the cvt version the manual dont even have abs ebd that i had to opt to buying the cvt premium version instead.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Logan Choong on May 12, 2022 at 11:28 am

    Very nice

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • We not only do not have technology to come out a good engine ourselves but we have no sense of art too. We do not even able to design a good looking car!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 16
    • So those who rated thumb down mean you think that it is a good looking car? No wonder the designer came out this kind of design, Proton mgmt can approve it and yet people buy it.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 5
      • TiadaGigi on May 13, 2022 at 12:50 pm

        No, you get thumb down for mentioning the most subjective matter of the car. If it’s not good looking for you, that doesn’t mean it’s the same for millions of other people. Heck, I thought the previous dugong vios was ugly or remember that ugly honda city? Still, there are people bought it. So, does it matter what me or you think about the design?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
    • Raja Kamarul on May 13, 2022 at 4:48 pm

      And you can’t even write proper English, but life goes on. LOL

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
      • Up to you... on May 14, 2022 at 12:06 am

        To Raja Kamarul. It is not our mother tongue. Simple. Care to LOL to foreigners for cannot write proper Malay (godlike grammar)?

        There is no need to glorify the penjajah language. As long as people can understand (small mistake is commons). It’s enough. 65/100 or 80/100 (proficiency) will not make any difference in your salary. Fyi, 80 = 4 flat already. Why push your brain for 100? HR will give extra? Tell me.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
  • Malaysian reserve better car why 20 year old car still can selling on the road?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 8
    • jusknittin on May 13, 2022 at 12:52 pm

      I’m doing a research based on you comment here. Can you list out how many 20 year old car model that is still selling now? Thanks.

      P/S: I think you meant “deserved” and not “reserve”, no?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • Axia E has a boot release button….

    Kind of sad for the price hike, the Iriz and Persona had a lower price hike with more features added.

    This was not unexpected but they could’ve done better.

    The only variants to get will be the Standard or then Premium S but everything in Premium S is aesthetisc or convenience that you can add from the aftermarket, so Standard only variant you need

    Plus the Premium rims look sooooo bad

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 3
  • Truth on May 12, 2022 at 5:37 pm

    well this shows they are not growing up at all

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 6
  • Huck Phin on May 12, 2022 at 11:52 pm

    I wonder if people cross shop between hatchback and sedan… if they do wonder whether they’ll chose between Iriz 1.3 Standard or Saga 1.3 Premium

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Unknown on May 13, 2022 at 12:19 pm

    SAME DESIGN, SAME INTERIOR, SAME EXTERIOR, SAME OLD TECHNOLOGY, SAME ENGINE SPEC, NO SAFETY AND NOT ANY NEW IMPROVEMENTS.
    THERE IS NOTHING TO SAY WOW OR BEAUTIFUL DESIGN. HOW LONG PERODUA DO THE SAME THING & DESIGN??? THERE IS NO ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY AND IMPROVEMENTS??? WHY PERODUA SO BAD???? ALL THE CAR INDUSTRY GOES IN MANY DIRECTIONS OF NEW TECHNOLOGY BUT PERODUA IS STILL AT A DOWN STAGE AND SELLS BASIC CAR & BASIC ENGINE. NOTHING TO SAY ANYMORE TRY TO CHANGE THE WHOLE PERODUA TECHNOLOGY AND CAR….. I’M REALLY HATE PERODUA….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • Unknown on May 13, 2022 at 12:24 pm

      SAME DESIGN, SAME INTERIOR, SAME EXTERIOR, SAME OLD TECHNOLOGY, SAME ENGINE SPEC, NO SAFETY AND NOT ANY NEW IMPROVEMENTS.
      THERE IS NOTHING TO SAY WOW OR BEAUTIFUL DESIGN. HOW LONG PROTON DO THE SAME THING & DESIGN??? THERE IS NO ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY AND IMPROVEMENTS??? WHY PROTON SO BAD???? ALL THE CAR INDUSTRY GOES IN MANY DIRECTIONS OF NEW TECHNOLOGY BUT PROTON IS STILL AT A DOWN STAGE AND SELLS BASIC CAR & BASIC ENGINE. NOTHING TO SAY ANYMORE TRY TO CHANGE THE WHOLE PROTON TECHNOLOGY AND CAR….. I’M REALLY HATE PROTON….

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 5
    • I’m pretty sure most people buy car to go A to B, got sakai with new tech and then forget about it few weeks later. Who cares?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Nunzhoalifmim on May 13, 2022 at 2:58 pm

    Lil bit disappointed.. hoping to get the updated Pakistan version ( with nvh guard, armrest) but it seems the red accents is more suitable for Malaysian market.. no?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Right? on May 14, 2022 at 12:15 am

      Because the colour of buah Saga if red… Hehehe…

      Jokes aside. Yeah, kinda agreed with you. Expecting the armrest. Or mayb the B40 don’t have arm to rest while driving?

      I know that can buy at abang shop, or online. But it will be special for us (customer), if they can give us that rather than lame front/side skirt.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • PlainBS on May 14, 2022 at 4:52 pm

        Buyers in that segment does not like the inconvenience of an armrest.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Gordon on May 15, 2022 at 12:52 pm

    Imo instead of having premium and premium S, should have just combine everything under premium varian. They can do better in the safety department by having at least 4 airbags

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • KhairulH on May 25, 2022 at 6:56 pm

    New ac console but Im still dumbfounded how proton did not provide windscreen a/c blower for Saga which is useful during cold/misty weather. Even my previous perodua viva has it. This is one of the disappointing thing as a Saga owner. Other than that, its quite a good car for comfort n handling given in budget class if u dont care about fancy features like auto braking.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Athies on Jun 05, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    1. Why use China made tyres when we have tyres made is Malaysia?
    2. If a turbo had been added…this 3 models would have been a super hit… as the Perodua 1.3 and 1.5 do not have turbos

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • athies on Jan 09, 2023 at 11:50 am

    Halogen reflector headlights!!!

    What is halogen reflector????

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
 

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