All-new 2026 Proton Saga previewed, here’s what you need to know

Proton’s bread-and-butter model, the Proton Saga, has just entered its fourth generation. While it still uses the same BT codename as the last 3 generations of models, the overhaul is comprehensive enough to warrant the all-new moniker.

Watch: 2026 Proton Saga 第四代 First Look

What’s new with the 2026 Proton Saga?

You’ve seen the leaks and spy shots. Proton has listened to what customers expect out of the venerable Saga and dare we say, oh boy they delivered.

Starting with the exterior design – the 2026 Proton Saga finally gets a pair of automatic projector LED headlights, flanking a new grille with motifs that Proton calls the ‘Sulaman Songket’. Proton’s signature Ethereal Bow is still here, located beneath the Proton emblem, connecting the two headlights together.

Then there’s that new rear-end. The one word we can describe it is that it looks smart. There’s now a full-width LED tail light (Premium variant only), replete with a black lower bumper trim. The Saga typefont is new, and so is the i-GT emblem (denoting the new engine), while the bottom of the rear bumper gets diffuser-like pieces and a provision spot for a rear fog light. Look really close and you might even spot the raised boot lid, giving Proton’s entry-level sedan a very matured look. The shark fin antenna’s new too.

The sides are largely identical to the outgoing model, seeing that the platform has been carried over, but Proton has given the Saga new chrome trim on the door handles, with new dual-tone alloy wheels to complete the looks.

If the exterior hasn’t caught your attention, perhaps the interior might. For the first time in the Saga’s history (or for an A-segment sedan for that matter), the all-new 2026 Proton Saga gets dual digital displays – one digital instrument cluster and the other is the infotainment display.

While the infotainment system doesn’t appear to be running on Atlas Auto, Proton pointed out that support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto it baked into the model right from the start.

The steering wheel is also new to the Saga, though the overall design of the steering wheel is mostly lifted wholesale from the Proton X50, barring the cruise control buttons. As such, the leather-wrapped steering wheel gets a flat bottom for that added sporty appeal.

This massive upgrade exercise also overhauled the Saga’s electronic architecture, and alongside that upgrade came new wiper and signal stalks – the latter now with variable intermittent adjustment.

The revised dashboard also meant that the air-conditioning vents are now equal in height – previous models had the middle blower lower in position relative to the two side ones.

Other new bits include a simple-to-operate air-conditioning panel with buttons for door lock/unlock, rear demister, hazard light, stability control, and front parking sensors. The new centre console also gets a USB port and a ‘teh tarik’ hook for added convenience.

Rounding off the interior upgrades is redesigned seats, which Proton says is wider and longer for both the front and rear seats. On top of that, the Saga also gets height-adjustable rear head rests – something not even found on the one segment higher Persona.

Crucially, Proton has addressed the Saga’s biggest complaint – the lack of airbags. Proton has given the top-spec Premium variant a total of six airbags, including a pair of side airbags and curtain airbags.

But they didn’t stop there: the same Premium variant now benefits from the addition of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), which includes goodies like:

Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Lane Change Assist (LCA)
Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Car-to-Motorcyclist Rear Moving (CMRM) and Car-to-Motorcyclist Rear Braking (RMRB)
Door Opening Warning (DOW)
Rear Collision Warning (RCW)

The final piece to the 2026 Proton Saga puzzle is the brand-new naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Codenamed BHE15-CFN, this engine is a product from Aurobay, a powertrain specialist that’s parked under Horse Powertrain Limited, itself a subsidiary of Geely and Renault.

In the 2026 Proton Saga, the BHE15-CFN outputs a respectable 120 PS and 150 Nm – enough to rival B-segment models like the Honda City.

While the power figures are impressive (given the segment), Proton mentioned that said engine uses the Atkinson cycle (more efficient than Otto cycle), as well as a dual variable valve timing (DVVT) and electric water pump thermal management. Together, these bits help reduce fuel consumption by 14.04%. Under the MDC test cycle, the 2026 Proton Saga returns between 4.9 L/100 km (CVT) to 5.1 L/100 km (4AT).

The adoption of the new BHE15-CFN also means that the Saga is the second model to board the timing chain boat, with the first model being the X50. Here, the BHE15-CFN adopts a dual mass flywheel and toothed timing chain, which are claimed to reduce noise levels by 25.24% compared to regular roller timing chain.

Colour options for the all-new 2026 Proton Saga include Armour Silver, Ruby Red, Snow White, Space Grey and Deep Marine Blue – the latter two are new for the A-segment sedan.

The Executive and Premium variants both get 15-inch newly-designed alloy wheels, with the latter’s wheels adding a dual-tone finishing. The Standard variant gets regular 14-inch single-tone (silver) wheels.