Verdict
The Honda City costs RM45,910 more, but it is the more complete family sedan: its 2,600 mm wheelbase is 135 mm longer, the boot holds 519 litres against 420 litres, and it has six airbags plus autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. Its 119 hp is only 1 hp ahead of the Saga, while the Proton’s 150 Nm beats the Honda’s 145 Nm. For a buyer focused on the lowest outlay, the Saga’s RM38,990 entry price, LED projector headlamps and full-LCD instrument display make a strong case. The City’s adaptive cruise control and rear air vents justify its greater touring focus.
Pick the Honda City if you need the 519-litre boot, six airbags, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control for regular family or highway use.
Pick the Proton Saga if RM38,990 pricing, 150 Nm of torque and LED lighting matter more than advanced driver assistance and cabin space.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Proton Saga RM38,990.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Proton Saga 420 litres.
- Wheelbase: Honda City 2,600 mm; Proton Saga 2,465 mm.
- Airbags: Honda City six airbags including side and curtain bags; Proton Saga driver and passenger airbags.
- Transmission: Honda City CVT automatic; Proton Saga Aisin 4-speed automatic.
- Torque: Honda City 145 Nm; Proton Saga 150 Nm.
City
- 519-litre boot, 99 litres larger
- Six airbags and autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control, rear air vents and telescopic steering
- RM45,910 more expensive
- Halogen projector headlamps versus the Saga’s LED projectors
- 145 Nm, 5 Nm less torque than the Saga
Saga
- RM45,910 lower purchase price
- 150 Nm torque from the 1.5-litre engine
- LED projector headlamps, full-LED tail lamps and full-LCD instrument display
- Only two airbags versus the City’s six
- No autonomous braking, collision warning, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control
- 420-litre boot is 99 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900 | RM38,990✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Atkinson Cycle |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp✓ | 118 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 150 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 4-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,390 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,690 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,525 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,465 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,055 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Atlas AS380 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 14" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 14" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used City & Saga for sale
City vs Saga FAQ
Is the Honda City or Proton Saga better?
The Honda City is better for family space and safety, with a 519-litre boot, six airbags, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The Proton Saga is the better budget choice, costing RM45,910 less while producing 150 Nm.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City costs RM45,910 more than the Proton Saga: RM84,900 against RM38,990. That gap brings a larger body and boot, six airbags, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and rear air vents.
Which has more safety equipment?
The Honda City has more safety equipment. It gets six airbags, collision warning, autonomous braking with nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping steering correction and all-seat belt reminders. The Proton Saga has two airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control.