Verdict
The Perodua QV-E costs RM31,009 more than the Proton Saga, and its RM215 monthly battery-rental commitment for nine years needs to be part of the household budget. In return, it brings a 201 hp, 285 Nm motor, 52.5 kWh battery and 370 km range, plus 60 kW DC charging. The Saga is the cheaper petrol sedan with a 420-litre boot, 100 litres more than the QV-E. Safety is the decisive gap: the QV-E has six airbags, ASA 3.0 and blind-spot monitoring; the Saga has two airbags.
Pick the Perodua QV-E if you can accommodate the RM215 monthly battery rental and want 370 km EV range, 201 hp and far more active safety equipment.
Pick the Proton Saga if your priority is a RM38,990 petrol sedan with a 420-litre boot and no battery-rental payment.
Key differences
- Price: Perodua QV-E RM69,999; Proton Saga RM38,990.
- Powertrain: QV-E has a 201 hp, 285 Nm electric motor; Saga has a 118 hp, 150 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine.
- Range/fuel storage: QV-E has a 52.5 kWh battery and 370 km range; Saga has a 40-litre petrol tank.
- Boot space: QV-E 320 litres; Saga 420 litres.
- Safety: QV-E has six airbags and ASA 3.0; Saga has two airbags and no autonomous braking system.
- Wheelbase: QV-E 2,680 mm; Saga 2,465 mm.
QV-E
- 201 hp and 285 Nm electric motor with a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 370 km range, 6.6 kW AC charging and 60 kW DC charging.
- Six airbags, ASA 3.0, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
- RM69,999 price versus the Saga's RM38,990, plus RM215 monthly battery rental for nine years.
- 320-litre boot is 100 litres smaller than the Saga's.
- At 1,600 kg, it weighs 545 kg more than the Saga.
Saga
- RM38,990 price and RM90 annual road tax.
- 420-litre boot, 100 litres larger than the QV-E's.
- Space-saver spare tyre instead of a tyre repair kit.
- Two airbags versus the QV-E's six.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist.
- Manual air-conditioning and a two-speaker radio, versus automatic climate control and a six-speaker 10.25-inch touchscreen in the QV-E.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM69,999 | RM38,990✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Atkinson Cycle |
| Capacity | — | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 118 hp |
| Torque | — | 150 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 285 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 52.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 370 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 60 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 4-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 165 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,170 mm | 4,390 mm |
| Width | 1,800 mm | 1,690 mm |
| Height | 1,502 mm | 1,525 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm | 2,465 mm |
| Weight | 1,600 kg | 1,055 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 320 litres | 420 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R18 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R18 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Atlas A3 | Atlas AS380 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 14" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 14" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | RM215 a month for BaaS battery rental (inclusive of tax, and for nine years) | — |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats. | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, ASA 3.0 Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with LED Light Bar | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with LED Light Bar | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and 6 Speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up/Down | Four Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 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 | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 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 QV-E & Saga for sale
QV-E vs Saga FAQ
Is the Perodua QV-E or Proton Saga better?
The QV-E is better for EV range, motor output and safety, with 370 km, 201 hp and six airbags. The Saga is better for outright affordability and luggage capacity, costing RM38,990 with a 420-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Perodua QV-E is RM31,009 dearer: RM69,999 against RM38,990 for the Proton Saga. The QV-E also carries a RM215 monthly battery-rental payment inclusive of tax for nine years.
Which car has the better safety equipment?
The Perodua QV-E does. It has six airbags, ASA 3.0 pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping steering correction and a 360-degree camera. The Saga has two airbags, stability control and a reverse camera.