The third generation Proton Saga was officially launched on 28 September 2016 at Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Malaysia.

[4][5] The launch event was covered in an exclusive live broadcast by paultan.org, and was endorsed by Khairy Jamaluddin on behalf of the then Ministry of Youth and Sports.

[7] The new Saga is powered by the Iriz's 1.3-litre VVT engine and CVT combination, both of which have been further refined for improved fuel efficiency, reduced NVH and smoother driving experience.

The naturally aspirated DOHC VVT engine is no longer paired to a CVT made by Punch Powertrain, but a four-speed torque converter automatic gearbox sourced from Hyundai.

[3] The decision to assemble the Saga locally was made to keep prices competitive by reducing import taxes, and to spur Kenya's automotive industry with employment creation and skill transfer.

[3] On 18 December 2020, it was announced that the Saga will be exported to Nepal when Jagdamba Motors, the Nepalese automotive company starts operations there by January 2021.

Nonetheless, in the latest 2016 platform revision, Proton has extended both front and rear overhangs and re-engineered the entire body structure to warrant a generational leap.

[25] The company has kept development costs relatively low by recycling as much as 60% of parts and components from the outgoing Saga, and by borrowing some equipment from other Proton models.

The disparity in size and classification is the result of Proton's revised marketing strategy which aims to prevent product overlapping and sales cannibalisation.

[7] The new Saga features halogen reflector headlamps like its predecessors, but its rear lamps have reverted to more conventional bulb-based lighting as opposed to LEDs, to cut costs and pricing.

[9] The 2016 Saga was produced in six colours, namely Fire Red, Cotton White, Topaz Blue, Sterling Silver, Midnight Black, and Metal Grey.

On Standard variants, in place of LED DRL's is a body colour plastic piece with a similar design to that found on B-Line Saga BLM's.

The 2019 Saga is produced in five colours, namely Snow White, Armoured Silver, Jet Grey, Rosewood Maroon and Ruby Red.

Nonetheless, the mounting points for the dashboard, vents, seats and other key modules in the cabin remained largely unchanged as a result of the platform carryover.

[30] Proton had also invested considerably in solutions to reduce transmissions of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) into the cabin, in an effort to create a more mature and refined Saga.

Several interior parts and components in the new Saga were borrowed from other Proton models in an effort to increase economies of scale and reduce costs and pricing.

These include the steering wheel, CVT gear lever and driver's power window controls on all variants, as well as the Premium-exclusive double-DIN head unit and integrated rear view mirror display.

[8] The notable carryovers from the second generation Saga include the air-con controls, handbrake lever and manual gear knob.

[30] The driver's instrument cluster is largely unchanged, but the meter graphics have been updated, and the HUD now includes Proton's ECO Drive Assist system, an indicator which lights up in green when the car is being driven in an economical manner.

Other interior changes saw the inclusion of a LED map light for the driver and front passenger, different material used for headliner and grab handles that are not fixed but rather can be pulled down when in use and automatically retracts when not in use.

[29] The 2022 Saga shows off the revised center cluster, redesigned semi-digital air-conditioner controls and new Proton logo emblem at steering.

The disparity is due to the Saga's continued reliance on an older platform, as well as pricing considerations with regards to its market positioning as Proton's entry-level product.

[5] The suspension setup in the third generation Saga, like the FLX previously, consists of MacPherson struts with stabiliser bars at the front and torsion beam axles at the rear.

With the 2019 Proton Saga MC1, the Standard variant gained ABS, EBD and BA, and the front disc rotors are now 1 inch larger in diameter.

[33] The new Saga is fitted with a number of ultra high strength steel (UHSS) components at critical sections throughout its body structure to reinforce and protect the passenger compartment in the event of a collision.

[34] The third generation Saga is powered by Proton's 1.3-litre VVT S4PE engine, a naturally aspirated, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC petrol unit with variable valve timing.

[8] Although the new VVT engine outputs the same amount of power as the IAFM+ unit previously, it features a number of mechanical enhancements for reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and improved fuel efficiency.

It also features variable valve timing in the cylinder head, making the third generation Saga the first in its lineage to offer VVT technology.

[5] The system assesses the driver's throttle input, and a green indicator on the instrument cluster will light up when the car is being driven in an economical manner.

[5] The decision was made in view of Proton's revised marketing strategy which aims to prevent product overlapping and sales cannibalisation.