2019 Proton Saga 4AT Is Cheaper To Maintain Than the Saga FLX CVT and Perodua Bezza

• RM683.90 cheaper over 5 years/100,000 km
• Transmission fluid is less costly to replace
• Optimised service intervals

Proton has put in extensive effort into marketing the benefits and rationale to switching from their punch-sourced Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) to a Hyundai-sourced 4-speed torque converter in the facelifted 2019 Proton Saga.

Besides boasting stronger acceleration and improved drivability, there is also another (huge) benefit of switching to the 4AT – lower maintenance. Over the course of 5 years/100,000 km, the Saga 4AT costs RM683.90 cheaper to service compared to the outgoing Saga FLX CVT. With that said, the lower maintenance cost is not entirely attributed to the new transmission, but rather a combination of variables.

Both the CVT and 4AT require a transmission fluid change at the 36th month or 60,000 km mark, while the CVT fluid costs a bit more – RM77.23 more to be exact. However, the biggest contribution to the lower service costs on the facelifted Saga 4AT is the optimisation of the intervals the parts are being replaced.

At 100,000 km the Saga FLX CVT requires a major service which amounts to RM836.08. Parts that required changing during this service interval include Engine Oil, Spark Plugs, Air Filter, Timing Belt Kit, and FEAD Belt. This major service also incurred a higher Service Labour cost of RM222.

The facelifted Saga 4AT also requires having these parts changed but are now spread out across different intervals to lower the burden on the customers. Proton engineers emphasised that despite some parts like the Timing Belt Kit are extended to 66-months/110,000 km before being replaced, it does not compromise on the car’s reliability, performance, and safety.

Compared to its direct rival, the Perodua Bezza 1.3 4AT, the Saga 4AT is also more affordable to maintain by RM685.85 over 5 years or 100,000 km. This is largely attributed to the Bezza using costlier fully synthetic (0W-20) grade engine oil and iridium spark plugs.

Besides lowering the entry price and adding more features to the facelifted 2019 Proton Saga, Proton has further optimised the service intervals of the Saga which adds even more savings to the owners.

The cost of vehicle ownership does not end at monthly repayments, road tax, and insurance, consumables such as fuel and maintenance usually takes up a big chunk of the vehicle’s running costs.