Verdict
This is a straight family-versus-budget call. The Perodua Aruz costs RM72,900 and gives you an SUV body, seven seats, rear air-con vents, six airbags and a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating, but its 1.5 litre makes only 101 hp and 133 Nm. The Proton Saga is RM38,990, lighter at 1,055 kg and stronger on paper with 118 hp and 150 Nm, while its 420-litre boot beats the Aruz’s 213 litres. But it is a five-seat sedan with just two airbags.
Pick the Perodua Aruz if you need seven seats, rear air-con and the stronger safety spec of six airbags with a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating.
Pick the Proton Saga if you want the lower price, better quoted output and a much larger sedan boot.
Key differences
- Price: Perodua Aruz RM72,900; Proton Saga RM38,990
- Output: Perodua Aruz 101 hp/133 Nm; Proton Saga 118 hp/150 Nm
- Seats: Perodua Aruz 7; Proton Saga 5
- Boot space: Perodua Aruz 213 litres; Proton Saga 420 litres
- Safety airbags: Perodua Aruz 6; Proton Saga 2
- Wheelbase: Perodua Aruz 2,685 mm; Proton Saga 2,465 mm
Aruz
- Seven-seat cabin with 60:40 middle row and 50:50 last row
- Six airbags, stability control and 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating
- Rear air-con vents with blower and 17-inch full-size alloy spare
- Costs RM33,910 more than the Saga
- Lower output at 101 hp and 133 Nm
- Smaller 213-litre boot
Saga
- Cheaper by RM33,910
- Higher output at 118 hp and 150 Nm
- Larger 420-litre boot
- Five seats only
- Two airbags versus six in the Aruz
- No rear air-con vents or front parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 72,900 | RM 38,990✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| 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 | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 101 hp | 118 hp✓ |
| Torque | 133 Nm | 150 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4 Speed Automatic | 4-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 4 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 6.4 L/100 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,435 mm | 4,390 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,690 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,525 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,685 mm | 2,465 mm |
| Weight | 1,300 kg | 1,055 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 213 litres | 420 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 17" Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001A | Atlas AS380 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Ladder-frame | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Live Axle with Coil Springs | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Black Alloy | 14" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Black Alloy | 14" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Drum | Drum |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | 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 Middle Row with one-touch tumble, manual recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con (digital controls with memory function) | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Last Row | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 3 Front, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | 7.0" Touchscreen Radio DVD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and 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 Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 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 |
| Convenience Notes | Automatic Door-Lock Past 20 km/h | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120 | RM 90✓ |
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.
Aruz vs Saga FAQ
Is the Perodua Aruz or Proton Saga better?
The Aruz is better for seven-seat family use and safety kit. The Saga is better if price, boot space and engine output matter more. They serve different jobs despite both using 1.5 litre petrol engines and 4-speed Aisin automatics.
What is the price difference?
The Perodua Aruz costs RM72,900, while the Proton Saga costs RM38,990. That makes the Aruz RM33,910 more expensive.
Which car has more space?
The Aruz has more passenger capacity with seven seats and a longer 2,685 mm wheelbase. The Saga has the bigger boot at 420 litres, compared with 213 litres in the Aruz.