Verdict
The Honda City costs RM89,900 to the Proton Saga’s RM38,990, a RM50,910 leap that brings a larger 519-litre boot, 2,600-mm wheelbase and six airbags rather than two. Its 119 hp 1.5-litre and CVT are only marginally ahead of the Saga’s 118 hp, while the Proton has 150 Nm against 145 Nm. Safety is the decisive divide: the City adds autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, steering correction and adaptive cruise control. The Saga is the budget choice, but its 420-litre boot, four-speed automatic and two airbags make the City easier to justify for frequent family use.
Pick the Honda City if six airbags, Honda SENSING driver assistance, a 519-litre boot and an eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than the RM50,910 price gap.
Pick the Proton Saga if you want the lowest entry cost, 150 Nm of torque and a space-saver spare tyre, and can accept two airbags and no driver-assistance systems.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM89,900; Proton Saga RM38,990.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Proton Saga 420 litres.
- Airbags: Honda City 6; Proton Saga 2.
- Wheelbase: Honda City 2,600 mm; Proton Saga 2,465 mm.
- Transmission: Honda City CVT; Proton Saga 4-speed conventional automatic.
- Warranty: Honda City 8 years with unlimited mileage; Proton Saga 5 years or 150,000 km.
City
- Six airbags plus autonomous braking, lane assistance and adaptive cruise control.
- 519-litre boot and 2,600-mm wheelbase.
- 8-inch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display with rear USB ports and rear air vents.
- RM50,910 more expensive.
- 145 Nm torque versus the Saga’s 150 Nm.
- Tyre repair kit instead of a space-saver spare tyre.
Saga
- 150 Nm torque from its 1.5-litre engine.
- Space-saver spare tyre.
- Full LCD instrument monitor.
- Two airbags versus the City’s six.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assistance or adaptive cruise control.
- Four-speed automatic versus the City’s CVT, plus no rear air vents.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM89,900 | RM38,990✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Atkinson Cycle |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ | 118 hp at 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 150 Nm at 4,400 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | 4-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,577 mm | 4,390 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,690 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,525 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,465 mm |
| Weight | 1,116 kg | 1,055 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Atlas AS380 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloys | 14" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloys | 14" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 2 (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 |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Honda SENSING: ACC, CMBS, LKAS, LDW, RDM, Auto High Beam, Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector, Auto | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Fabric | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers + 4 Tweeters | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Honda LaneWatch | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Remote Engine Start | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free labour for up to 5 services (100,000 km/5 years) | — |
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.
Used City & Saga for sale
City vs Saga FAQ
Is the Honda City or Proton Saga better?
The Honda City is better for safety, luggage capacity and long-term warranty cover, with six airbags, driver assistance and a 519-litre boot. The Proton Saga is the better choice only when its far lower purchase price is the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City costs RM50,910 more than the Proton Saga: RM89,900 versus RM38,990.
Which car has more boot space?
The Honda City has the larger boot at 519 litres, 99 litres more than the Proton Saga’s 420 litres. Its rear seat also splits 60:40, while the Saga is listed with a foldable backrest.
