Proton Saga Ace – A Walkaround Review

Proton Saga Pakistan – Introduction

In 2020, Proton, a Malaysian automaker in collaboration with Al-Haj Automotive introduced their first offering in Pakistan. A compact SUV – X70 got a positive response. Encouraged, this joint venture introduced its first compact sedan in Pakistan in 2021. Called Proton Saga, it is currently the cheapest compact sedan in the country.  

Proton Saga

Proton Saga is the company’s main offering in the compact sedan category. Introduced as recently as April 2021, Saga is a typical urban sedan, ideal for those looking for a car which is meant for city driving.

It comes in three variants:

• Saga MT – Comes with manual transmission 
• Saga AT – Comes with automatic transmission
• Saga ACE –  4-speed automatic transmission

Proton Saga ACE

Proton Saga ACE is the premium variant of the Saga model. You should consider getting it if you’re looking for a solid car which is comfortable to drive with a good (though not impressive) fuel average. The fuel economy could have been better if it was fitted with a 5-speed gearbox. The current variant comes with a 4-speed gearbox. If you are someone who prefers instant speed, this car is not for you. 

Proton Saga Price in Pakistan

Proton Saga has recently increased the prices of all three variants. 

Below are the current and updated  prices of all three of its variants. 

Variant	Price
Saga MT	Rs.2,149,000
Saga AT	Rs.2,299,000
Saga ACE	Rs.2,399,000

Proton Saga Launch in Pakistan

As mentioned above, Saga was launched in Pakistan in April 2021.

Proton Saga Interior

When you step inside this compact sedan, you are entering a spacious cabin. Unlike in some other compact sedans there is ample leg and head room. Seats are comfortable, which makes this sedan ideal for long drives as well. Dashboard is conventional and had it not been for the infotainment screen, it would have looked nothing out of ordinary. Though it is worth reminding our readers that this dashboard offers pretty much everything that a modern sedan offers or should offer. 

Inside Saga’s premium variant, you’ll find:

• Steering wheel switches for phone
• Smartphone connectivity (these two features are not available in the other two variants)
• Eco Drive Assist
• Driver Seat Adjustable Height (Manual)
• Power Steering Tilt
• Hydraulic power steering
• Multimedia steering (feature not offered in the other two variants)
• 7” touch screen (also not offered in the AT and MT variants)
• Power windows 

Proton Saga Exterior

The most noticeable feature in this sedan’s exterior are the oversized headlights both in front and rear. Though overall, Proton Saga ACE has a modern look.  

The ACE variant is equipped with:

• 15” alloy wheels (other two variants come with 14” steel rims)
• Halogen headlights
• DRL LEDs (absent in other two variants)
• Keyless entry
• Electric door mirrors with LED turn

Proton Saga ACE Safety Features

Given Saga’s price, it stands above its competitors when it comes to offering safety features, such as:

• Dual airbags (driver and passenger)
• ABS-EBD braking system
• Rear parking sensors
• Brake assist
• Immobilizer

These features are common in all the three variants. However, what makes ACE special or what extra features ACE has which the other two variants do not are:

• Reverse camera
• Front parking sensors
• Traction control
• Hill assist, and
• Electronic stability control (ESC)

Proton Saga Engine Configuration 

All three variants of Saga – MT, AT and ACE come with:

• 1299 cc engine
• 91hp
• 120 N m torque

The only difference between these three variants is the manual and auto transmission with ACE being offered only in auto transmission (4 speed). 

Fuel Average

It’s a 1300cc car but do not expect Honda City fuel average from it. ACE does about 11 km/l in the city and about 13 km/l on highways. 

Comparisons 

A subcompact sedan, Saga ACE is introduced at a time when Suzuki Cultus and Honda City are already ruling the roost in this category. Therefore, it goes without saying that this new entrant will face a very tough competition not only from City and Cultus but also from relatively new Toyota Yaris and Changan Alsvin.  

Proton Saga ACE Vs. Changan Alsvin

Changan Alsvin, too, has been introduced with three variants. However, there is only a variant that comes with a 1.3L engine (1.3L Manual Comfort). A quick look at the two tell us:

	ACE	ALSVIN
Engine	1299 cc engine 91hp 120 N m torque	1370 cc engine 99 hp 135 N m torque
Safety	Dual airbags (driver and passenger) ABS-EBD braking system Rear parking sensors Brake assist Immobilizer	Dual airbags (driver and passenger) Rear parking camera Parking sensors Immobilizer
Comfort	Keyless entry Electric door mirrors with LED turn 7” touch screen Power windows	EPS Steering mounted audio controls 7” touch screen Power windows
Price	Rs.2,399,000	Rs.2,424,000

If you are looking for a faster car, go for Alsvin. Even otherwise, the two are neck to neck when it comes to other important features and since the price difference is negligible between the two, Alsvin will give Saga ACE a run for its money.

Proton Saga ACE Vs. Honda City

A quick comparison between Saga ACE and City 1.2LS CVT reveals some startling differences between the two. For example:

	ACE	City
Engine	1299 cc engine 91hp 120 N m torque	1199 cc 66 hp 110 N m torque
Safety	Dual airbags (driver and passenger) ABS-EBD braking system Rear parking sensors Brake assist Immobilizer	Dual airbags Rear camera (optional)
Comfort	Keyless entry Electric door mirrors with LED turn 7” touch screen Power windows	Keyless trunk opener Electric retractable door mirrors
Price	Rs.2,399,000	Rs.2,949,000

Saga ACE is hands down a clear winner here and not just because of its price. Even otherwise, it has a bigger engine than City and comes on top when it comes to safety and comfort features. 

Proton Saga ACE Vs. Toyota Yaris

As mentioned earlier, Proton Saga ACE is Saga’s premium variant. On the other hand, the 1.3L ATIV CVT is Toyota Yaris’s premium variant. Let’s do a quick comparison of the two:

	ACE	Yaris
Engine	1299 cc engine 91hp 120 N m torque	1329 cc engine 73 hp 123 N m torque
Safety	Dual airbags (driver and passenger) ABS-EBD braking system Rear parking sensors Brake assist Immobilizer	Dual airbags (driver and passenger) ABS brakes Central power door locks Immobilizer Backup camera
Comfort	Keyless entry Electric door mirrors with LED turn 7” touch screen Power windows	Keyless entry Steering wheel multi-media control switches Adjustable steering wheel
Price	Rs.2,399,000	Rs.2,856,000

The first thing which catches the eye is their big price difference. This will be a determinative factor for many when comparing the two. In addition, there isn’t a lot that Yaris offers in terms of safety and comfort features to justify its price tag vis-à-vis Saga ACE. 

Should you consider buying this car?

If you’re considering buying this car because it’s the cheapest compact sedan in Pakistan then go for it because it is the cheapest (even after recent price hike) in its category in Pakistan. However, be mindful of the fact that it is not the best when it comes to the fuel average. 

The only other compact sedan which comes close to Saga, especially pricewise is Alsvin. It does slightly better fuel average (about 12 km/l in the city and 16 km/l on the highway). However, be mindful of the fact that 1.3L Alsvin comes in manual transmission only. So, it would be unfair to compare it with Saga ACE, which comes in automatic transmission.  

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions – 

Knowing what you now know about Proton Saga ACE, would you consider buying it? If not, then which one of the above mentioned sedans would you choose and why? 

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City vs. Yaris: A Brief Comparison