Verdict
The Proton S70 is the much stronger, larger sedan: RM73,800 buys 178 hp, 290 Nm, a seven-speed wet DCT, 2,627 mm wheelbase, 500-litre boot and active safety including AEB, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping. The Proton Saga is RM38,990, so the RM34,810 saving is huge; you still get five seats, LED projector headlamps, ESC, reverse camera and keyless start, but with 118 hp, 150 Nm, two airbags, a 420-litre boot and no rear air vents. This is not close if space, performance and safety matter; it is close only on basic sedan transport.
Pick the Proton S70 if you want the stronger engine, bigger cabin footprint, larger boot and the full set of driver-assist safety kit.
Pick the Proton Saga if the RM34,810 lower price matters more than power, rear-seat amenities and advanced safety features.
Key differences
- Price: Proton S70 RM73,800; Proton Saga RM38,990
- Output: Proton S70 178 hp and 290 Nm; Proton Saga 118 hp and 150 Nm
- Gearbox: Proton S70 seven-speed wet dual-clutch auto; Proton Saga four-speed Aisin conventional auto
- Wheelbase and boot: Proton S70 2,627 mm and 500 litres; Proton Saga 2,465 mm and 420 litres
- Safety kit: Proton S70 six airbags plus AEB, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping; Proton Saga two airbags with none of those assists
- Rear brakes: Proton S70 solid discs; Proton Saga drums
S70
- Much stronger 1.5 litre turbo, with 178 hp and 290 Nm
- Bigger footprint, longer 2,627 mm wheelbase and 500-litre boot
- Adds rear air vents, cruise control, telescopic steering and more USB points
- Costs RM34,810 more to buy
- Heavier at 1,300 kg versus the Saga’s 1,055 kg
- No factory alarm listed; the Saga has one
Saga
- Far cheaper entry price
- Lighter kerb weight at 1,055 kg
- Has a full LCD instrument display and factory alarm
- Only 118 hp and 150 Nm against the S70’s 178 hp and 290 Nm
- Two airbags only; no AEB, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping
- Smaller 420-litre boot and no rear air vents
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 73,800 | RM 38,990✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Atkinson Cycle |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 178 hp✓ | 118 hp |
| Torque | 290 Nm✓ | 150 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 4-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,602 mm | 4,390 mm |
| Width | 1,809 mm | 1,690 mm |
| Height | 1,466 mm | 1,525 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,627 mm | 2,465 mm |
| Weight | 1,300 kg | 1,055 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R16 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R16 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Giti Comfort F22 | Atlas AS380 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloys | 14" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloys | 14" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Drum |
| 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For 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 | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooh, Screen Mirroring, 4 speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | 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 | Remote Control Activated | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 6 Times Free Labour Servicing | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90 | 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.
S70 vs Saga FAQ
Is the Proton S70 or Proton Saga better?
The Proton S70 is better for performance, space, boot capacity and safety kit. The Proton Saga is better only if the lower purchase price is the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Proton S70 costs RM34,810 more than the Proton Saga. That gap buys a much stronger turbo engine, bigger body, larger boot, rear air vents and far more safety equipment.
Which has more space and boot space?
The Proton S70 has the advantage: 2,627 mm wheelbase and 500 litres of boot space versus the Proton Saga’s 2,465 mm and 420 litres. It is also wider, at 1,809 mm against 1,690 mm.