Verdict
The RM93,800 MG 5 costs RM54,810 more than the RM38,990 Proton Saga, and that is a huge gap in this pairing. The MG is the physically larger sedan at 4,675 mm long with a 2,680 mm wheelbase, rides on 17-inch wheels and brings six airbags, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera. Yet the RM38,990 Saga has 118 hp to the MG’s 112 hp, plus a 420-litre boot against 401 litres. For an affordable Malaysian sedan, the Saga’s price and boot make the stronger case; choose the MG only if its safety kit and cabin equipment are priorities.
Pick the MG 5 if you will pay RM54,810 more for six airbags, autonomous braking, a 360-degree camera and a 2,680 mm wheelbase.
Pick the Proton Saga if RM38,990 pricing, 118 hp and a larger 420-litre boot matter more than driver-assistance equipment.
Key differences
- Price: MG 5 RM93,800; Proton Saga RM38,990.
- Power: MG 5 112 hp and 150 Nm; Proton Saga 118 hp and 150 Nm.
- Dimensions: MG 5 is 4,675 mm long with a 2,680 mm wheelbase; Proton Saga is 4,390 mm long with a 2,465 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: MG 5 401 litres; Proton Saga 420 litres.
- Safety: MG 5 has six airbags and autonomous braking; Proton Saga has two airbags and no autonomous braking.
- Wheels: MG 5 has 17-inch alloys; Proton Saga has 14-inch alloys.
5
- Six airbags, blind-spot monitoring and autonomous braking.
- 10.25-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus seven-year unlimited-mileage powertrain cover.
- Costs RM54,810 more.
- Its 401-litre boot is 19 litres smaller.
- Its 112 hp output trails the Saga’s 118 hp.
Saga
- RM38,990 entry price.
- 118 hp from its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine.
- 420-litre boot is 19 litres larger than the MG’s.
- Only two airbags, against the MG’s six.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot monitoring.
- Manual air-con and a radio with two speakers, versus the MG’s automatic climate control and 10.25-inch touchscreen.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM93,800 | RM38,990✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Atkinson Cycle |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 112 hp | 118 hp✓ |
| Torque | 150 Nm | 150 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 75 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11.5 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | iCVT | 4-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 11.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,675 mm | 4,390 mm |
| Width | 1,842 mm | 1,690 mm |
| Height | 1,480 mm | 1,525 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm | 2,465 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,055 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 401 litres | 420 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Primetra S | Atlas AS380 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 14" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vent | — |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 3 USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down | Four Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain | — |
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 5 & Saga for sale
5 vs Saga FAQ
Is the MG 5 or Proton Saga better?
The Proton Saga is the better buy for price, power and boot space: it costs RM38,990, makes 118 hp and has a 420-litre boot. The MG 5 is better equipped for safety and infotainment, but costs RM54,810 more.
What is the price difference?
The MG 5 costs RM93,800 and the Proton Saga costs RM38,990, so the difference is RM54,810.
Which sedan has the stronger safety equipment?
The MG 5 does. It has six airbags, autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera. The Proton Saga has two airbags, no listed autonomous braking or blind-spot monitoring, and a reverse camera.