The 2026 Proton Saga MC3 can have been launched in Malaysia for nearly per week now, but that is the primary time we’re clapping eyes on the RM37,990 (after the RM1k early-bird rebate) Standard variant. Feast your eyes on this full showroom gallery as we take you on a tour.
But first, we must note that each one showroom display cars within the Klang Valley are of the Premium and Executive variants only, so we intercepted this customer automobile before delivery, courtesy of the Proton Sianghin Auto showroom in Taman Melawati.
Let’s start with the outside – you continue to get LED projector headlamps but they’re not automatic (Executive and Premium only) and there’s no auto high beam (Premium only). Those L-shaped LEDs are still there, but they’re used as positioning lamps moderately than DRLs (they’re not as vibrant and don’t robotically come on when the engine is began).
Nonetheless, we checked and located that the part number is similar because the Executive variant, so the difference is merely within the software – we’re sure the resourceful will discover a method to reactivate them soon enough.
Moving on, there aren’t any front parking sensors, and the Ethereal Bow (the thing that ‘cups’ the Proton logo within the grille) and door handle decorative strips are finished in silver as an alternative of the chrome you get on the Executive and Premium. The Standard can also be the one variant with 14-inch alloys, taken from the old MC2.
Unlike the Executive and Premium, there’s no keyless entry here (so there’s no button on the motive force’s door handle) but there’s keyless start a minimum of. All Saga variants use the identical recent key fob (no more flip key like before). On the Standard, you’ll should first thumb the important thing fob to unlock the doors before you begin the automobile by pressing the engine start button.
Along the side, you’ll see body-coloured B-pillars (only the Premium gets them in black) and no side skirts (also Premium only), although the mirror caps are still black. Since the Executive doesn’t get full-width hind lights and an outdoor boot release button, the Standard obviously doesn’t either. It doesn’t even get a reverse camera or a lamp contained in the boot – you’d need a minimum of the Executive for these.
Inside, the steering wheel is polyurethane (only the Premium’s is leather-wrapped) but a minimum of it comprises all the identical buttons as the opposite variants (the previous Saga Standard had no steering wheel buttons in any respect). You furthermore may still get a digital instrument panel, when the similarly-priced Axia G has analogue gauges and never even a rev counter.
The one you most need to see is the top unit. Unlike the opposite variants’ nine-inch touch-screen, the Standard gets a basic radio with Bluetooth, even though it uses more modern-looking capacitive-touch buttons as an alternative of physical ones.
No screen, so no Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and the design of the thing (still connected to the digital instrument panel in a single long piece) means fitting an aftermarket screen wouldn’t be an easy task. There are only two speakers here (the rear door speaker grilles are empty); the opposite variants get 4.
The Standard’s upholstery is obvious black fabric versus the Executive’s wavy patterns. The motive force’s seat uses the identical rotary knob as on the Executive for height adjustment (only the Premium gets the brand new lever that raises or lowers your complete seat). Just like the Executive, there’s no auto-down function for the motive force’s window; you’d need the Premium for that. No Saga variant has auto-up windows.
Below the centre air vents sit two rows of buttons flanked by air-con control knobs – the highest row is missing the parking sensor button (obviously, because it has no front parking sensors). The underside row is all blank, but so it’s even on the Premium.
Behind the handbrake, you’ll find no USB ports (Executive and Premium only). The front USB port remains to be there, nevertheless it’s for data transfer and charges slowly. Positioned right in front of the motive force’s knee, it’s an ungainly place to stay a pendrive for music. Regarding the back seats, you’ll must buy a minimum of the Executive to get adjustable headrests and seat back pockets.
The Standard and Executive share the identical powertrain and safety equipment – a 120 PS/150 Nm 1.5 litre i-GT four-cylinder engine, an Aisin four-speed auto (Premium gets a Punch CVT), two airbags, stability control and no ADAS (Premium gets six airbags, ADAS and RSRS). The Saga Standard is the one sub-RM40k automobile in Malaysia with a 1.5 litre engine – Perodua gives you a 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine at this price.
Now, except for crucial safety features like airbags and ADAS, most of the Standard’s omissions will be retrofitted moderately easily afterward. It stays superb value at RM38k – arguably much more so than the RM44k Executive – but after all it’s best to go for the Premium if budget permits. What are your thoughts on essentially the most reasonably priced recent Proton you possibly can buy today?
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This Article First Appeared At paultan.org
