The 2026 Proton Saga MC3 may have been launched in Malaysia for almost a week now, but this is the first 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 all showroom display cars in the Klang Valley are of the Premium and Executive variants only, so we intercepted this customer car before delivery, courtesy of the Proton Sianghin Auto showroom in Taman Melawati.
Let’s start with the exterior – you still 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 rather than DRLs (they’re not as bright and do not automatically come on when the engine is started).
However, we checked and found that the part number is the same as the Executive variant, so the difference is merely in the software – we’re sure the resourceful will find a way to reactivate them soon enough.
Moving on, there are no front parking sensors, and the Ethereal Bow (the thing that ‘cups’ the Proton logo in the grille) and door handle decorative strips are finished in silver instead of the chrome you get on the Executive and Premium. The Standard is also the only 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 driver’s door handle) but there’s keyless start at least. All Saga variants use the same new key fob (no more flip key like before). On the Standard, you’ll have to first thumb the key fob to unlock the doors, then get in and press 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. Because the Executive doesn’t get full-width tail lamps and an outside boot release button, the Standard obviously doesn’t either. There isn’t even a reverse camera or a lamp inside the boot – you’d need at least the Executive to get these.
Inside, the steering wheel is polyurethane (only the Premium’s is leather-wrapped) but at least it contains all the same buttons as the other variants (the previous Saga Standard had no steering wheel buttons whatsoever). You also still get a digital instrument panel, when the similarly-priced Axia G has analogue gauges and not even a rev counter.
The one you most want to see is the head unit. Unlike the other variants’ nine-inch touch-screen, the Standard gets a basic radio with Bluetooth, although it uses more modern-looking capacitive-touch buttons instead 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 one long piece) means fitting an aftermarket screen would not be a straightforward task. There are only two speakers here (the rear door speaker grilles are empty); the other variants get four.
The Standard’s upholstery is plain black fabric as opposed to the Executive’s wavy patterns. The driver’s seat uses the same rotary knob as on the Executive for height adjustment (only the Premium gets the new lever that raises or lowers the entire seat). Like the Executive, there’s no auto-down function for the driver’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 top row is missing the parking sensor button (obviously, since it has no front parking sensors). The bottom row is all blank, but so it is even on the Premium.
Behind the handbrake, you’ll find no USB ports (Executive and Premium only). The front USB port is still there, but it’s for data transfer and charges slowly. Located right in front of the driver’s left knee, it’s an awkward place to stick a pendrive for music. Regarding the back seats, you’ll need to buy at least the Executive to get adjustable headrests and seat back pockets.
The Standard and Executive share the same 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 only sub-RM40k car in Malaysia with a 1.5 litre engine – give your RM40k to Perodua and you’ll get a 1.0 litre three-potter.
Now, with the exception of crucial safety features like airbags and ADAS, many of the Standard’s omissions can be retrofitted rather easily later on. It remains superb value at RM38k – arguably even more so than the RM44k Executive – but of course it’s best to go for the Premium if budget permits. What are your thoughts on the most affordable new Proton you can buy today?
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