This review is sponsored by BHPetrol Infiniti RON95 Euro4M. You can also enjoy the newly redesigned BHPetromart in selected stations, as well as its own ready to eat eNak brand.
Launched last November, the 2026 Proton Saga MC3 has shot to the top of the charts since its arrival on the scene, with nearly 100,000 bookings recorded for it by last month, and for good reason – it hasn’t just been dressed up but the platform has been revised, and there’s a new engine as well.
Besides the revised Advanced Modular Architecture (AMA) platform, the headlining act is an all-new, Geely-derived 1.5 litre BHE15 four-cylinder engine. First seen in turbocharged form in the facelifted X50, the unit comes in BHE15PFI guise – with natural aspiration and port fuel injection – in the Saga. With 120 PS at 6,100 rpm and 150 Nm of torque between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm, it offers 25 PS and 30 Nm up over the outgoing model.
Aside from a more powerful engine, the Saga MC3 also gets a significant rework elsewhere. There’s a new front end, complete with a large grille and a new bonnet as well as full LED headlights, while the rear features LED taillights joined together by a central bar with the Proton script, providing a familial resemblance to the larger S70.
Inside, the cabin also gets a bit of an overhaul, with a new dashboard with a modern horizontal design and twin digital screens leading the way. The screens, consisting of a seven-inch unit for the instrument display and a nine-inch unit for the infotainment, undoubtedly introduce a modern veneer to the car. Also finding its way on to the car is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making the new Saga the first A-segment car to offer this feature.
We drove the Saga MC3 back in December, but now it’s Hafriz Shah’s turn to examine the car. He has a lot to say about it – find out what he thinks about the Saga MC3 here.
GALLERY: 2026 Proton Saga MC3 Premium
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Only idiot would buy Saga. So new yet so many complaints already in the market.
Haiya
The ‘butt’ still as ugly as the earlier Saga facelift version. This is a 3 box design vehicle. unfortunately this time the proportion seems to be in question. the rounding radius at the back is way too big radius. with steep sloping incline at the back it seems disproportionate with the whole vehicle. two geometries to review…
Under Madani proton saga prices going down the wazoo because of his election promise to lower car prices. He kept his promise so he must be reelected!
Hafriz, don’t undermine Persona design ya. I like it for it’s originality !!! no copy cat. a good attempt! I was surprised that they didn’t further develope Saga using Persona platform.. i guess only the designer knows why…
Hafriz, nobody will buy a 4AT anymore ok. time to move on. punch CVT may not be as good a Nissan’s CVT or Perodua DCVT, it is still drivable and achieve it’s green objective.
Affordable comfortable hi tech daily driver car
Good 1.5 iGT powered with larger sofa seats
Left Side camera for close-in precision side parking
Only newbie need side camera for simple side parking. Jokes!
Should proton add an exec plus variant. Gives the leather seat, rear bar light and the trunk release switch.
You can’t grow shit with Proton. Ironic as that statement is, since shit is very good fertilizer. Almost a decade with Geely and still struggling to be #1 AT HOME. No wonder Geely took back the foreign RHD markets.
At this point Geely is a bigger name than Proton globally, why would they need a Proton badge to sell cars overseas anymore? The fact that Geely doesn’t even allow Proton to localize their designs for the local market anymore is telling.
Geely said “Screw it, the Msians like and buy our cars anyway. Why waste money?” Pretty soon, they won’t even need the ‘grill’ engineers/designers anymore. When Geely gets anything close to their initial investment, they’ll drop Proton entirely. They only wanted Lotus, DRB had to strong-arm them into taking Proton as well. It is known.