Verdict
The Proton Saga is the stronger practical buy at RM38,990, undercutting the RM47,079 Kia Picanto by RM8,089 while bringing 118 hp, 150 Nm and a 420-litre boot. Its 4,390 mm sedan body is 795 mm longer, however, so the 3,595 mm Picanto will be less cumbersome in tight city parking. The Kia’s extra spend buys six airbags instead of two, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 60:40 rear seat. Choose the Saga for power and luggage room; pay for the Picanto if safety kit and urban compactness matter more.
Pick the Kia Picanto if you want six airbags, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a hatchback that is 795 mm shorter.
Pick the Proton Saga if you want to save RM8,089 while gaining 35 hp, 28 Nm and 165 litres more boot space.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Picanto RM47,079; Proton Saga RM38,990.
- Output: Kia Picanto 83 hp and 122 Nm; Proton Saga 118 hp and 150 Nm.
- Boot space: Kia Picanto 255 litres; Proton Saga 420 litres.
- Length: Kia Picanto 3,595 mm; Proton Saga 4,390 mm.
- Airbags: Kia Picanto six; Proton Saga two.
- Audio: Kia Picanto 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and six speakers; Proton Saga Bluetooth/USB radio and two speakers.
Picanto
- Six airbags, including front side and front/rear curtain airbags.
- 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and six speakers.
- 795 mm shorter body and 72 kg lower weight.
- Costs RM8,089 more.
- 83 hp and 122 Nm trail the Saga's 118 hp and 150 Nm.
- 255-litre boot is 165 litres smaller.
Saga
- RM38,990 price is RM8,089 lower.
- 118 hp and 150 Nm from the 1.5-litre engine.
- 420-litre boot is 165 litres larger.
- Only driver and passenger airbags versus the Picanto's six airbags.
- Two-speaker Bluetooth/USB radio lacks the Picanto's touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- At 4,390 mm long, it is 795 mm longer than the Picanto.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM47,079 | RM38,990✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Segment | A-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Atkinson Cycle |
| Capacity | 1,248 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 83 hp | 118 hp✓ |
| Torque | 122 Nm | 150 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 71 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4-Speed Automatic | 4-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 4 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km | — |
| Co2 | 134 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,595 mm | 4,390 mm |
| Width | 1,595 mm | 1,690 mm |
| Height | 1,485 mm | 1,525 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm | 2,465 mm |
| Weight | 983 kg | 1,055 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 35 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 255 litres | 420 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 175/65R14 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 175/65R14 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Nexen N'blue HD Plus | Atlas AS380 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 14" Alloy | 14" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 14" Alloy | 14" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 3 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 4 stars — With AEB | — |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Available for all seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Single-Zone | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Room lamp | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 1 Rear | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | 7.0-inch Touchscreen Radio with CD, MP3, AUX, USB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | 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 |
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 Picanto & Saga for sale
Picanto vs Saga FAQ
Is the Kia Picanto or Proton Saga better?
The Saga is better for price, performance and cargo space: it costs RM8,089 less, has 118 hp and a 420-litre boot. The Picanto is better equipped for safety and infotainment, with six airbags and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Picanto costs RM47,079 and the Proton Saga RM38,990, so the Picanto is RM8,089 more expensive.
Which is easier to park in town?
The Kia Picanto. At 3,595 mm long and 1,595 mm wide, it is 795 mm shorter and 95 mm narrower than the 4,390 mm by 1,690 mm Proton Saga.