Mazda Protégé Review

  Mazda's compact sedan is offered in DX, LX and ES trim levels. Though already outstanding, the Mazda Protege got a major makeover for 2001. The Protegé is priced in the same league as more ordinary sedans, and it stands a strong cut above in the handling department. The Protegé's performance is also appealing, especially when it is equipped with the manual shift and larger engine. The Protege offers as much interior roominess as many higher-priced mid-size sedans, and it's as comfortable as it is spacious. Ride quality is comparable to larger, pricier cars. Sporty handling makes it fun to drive and easy to maneuver in today's crowded world. For those looking for an even sportier ride, the Protege5 hot hatch delivers excellent value and great performance, in addition to added cargo room. The Protege5 is based off the Protégé sedan, but gets suspension tuned for a sportier ride. There's a lot of value in the new Protege5-in its efficiency, utility, looks and sporty performance. It embodies the zoom-zoom spirit. It deserves to bring Mazda more name-recognition and engineering-recognition. And as an option to a mini-SUV for a small, sporty family, that compromise between a Miata and a Tribute, the Protege5 could be a whole lot of fun.

Protégé Power and Handling

  All DX, LX and ES models carry a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 130 hp engine designed by Mazda. Either a four-speed-automatic or five-speed-automatic transmission can be installed. The 2003 Protegé features a new four-speed Sport AT Shifter that is incorporated into the optional automatic transmission; it permits manually selected gear changes. The Protegé is among the more spacious and well-equipped compact sedans on the market. It is highly competent on the road and fun to drive, befitting the claims for sportiness made by Mazda.  Four-wheel disc brakes are available. Ride and handling, already excellent for this class, is further improved through significant chassis and suspension reinforcements.

2003 Mazda Protégé Design

 The Protegé has a 102.8-inch wheelbase and measures 175.3 inches long overall. What Mazda describes as European-inspired styling emerged from a collaboration among designers in Europe, Japan and California. A black chrome grille, rear spoiler and fog lamps are standard on the ES sedan. Alloy wheels hold 16-inch tires on the ES, and 15-inch wheels are installed on the DX and LX models. A power moonroof is available.

Inside the Protégé

For 2006, new five-spoke 16-inch wheels go on the ES model, which also gains a pair of tweeters for the sound system and a silver-colored shift boot. Side marker lamps are new, and this year's headlight housings feature a smoke treatment. Silver-colored gauges replace white on the ES. A new moonroof and six-CD changer package is available for LX and ES models. 

 
Air conditioning is now a stand-alone option for the DX. The Protegé is one of the roomier small cars on the market. As a result of what Mazda calls OptiSpace design; this car can actually accommodate five passengers. The Protegé's interior volume amounts to 92.6 cubic feet, and the sedan has adequate rear legroom and headroom for adult passengers. A split, folding rear seat supplements the 12.9-cubic-foot trunk space. Air conditioning is optional in the DX sedan and standard in other models. The LX sedan includes a CD player, a remote entry system, and power windows, door locks and power mirrors. The interior is more hushed with substantially improved insulation and anti-vibration measures, and the interior has been revised for enhanced convenience.

Mazda Protégé 5 Hatchback

 The Mazda Protegé5 sport wagon was launched as an early 2002 model. The Protegé5 is cute and competent and has essentially the same underpinnings as the Protegé sedan, but its tauter suspension quickly becomes evident. The Protegé5's steering is quick and takes a bit of effort, but it's markedly more precise than what is customary for a small wagon. Its behavior is truly crisp in tight curves and near corners. Even in demanding situations, the car appears to be in total control by yielding a solid and cohesive feel. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the excellent, easy-to-read gauges are fully calibrated. Add flexible cargo space, and Mazda has packed a lot of value into a small package. The front of the Protegé5 looks similar to the Protegé sedan. It is led by a five-point grille with black chrome and a large Mazda logo in the middle. The Protegé5 has front and rear air dams, side sills and a rear roof spoiler. Monochromatic bumpers, protective moldings and door handles are installed. The rear end of the wagon-style body is gracefully angled to yield a rakish, playful profile.

The chassis has been tuned for more responsive handling than that of the Protegé sedan. For 2003, the Protegé5 gets some new options, including a four-speed Sport AT transmission that permits switching between automatic and manual operation. Black leather-faced seats are also available. Black-on-silver gauges are now installed, and occupants can enjoy a six-CD changer. The Protege5 is very good looking. Cool looking, for an un-wagon. Trim cladding, just side sills and air dams. Great-looking 5-spoke, 16-inch alloy wheels, either brushed or polished like chrome. The spoiler fits like an eyelid over the slanted rear hatch. There's a standard black roofrack, and the black radio antenna is raked back from the rear center of the car. The center brake light (CHMSL) has 24 small bulbs that definitely catch your attention. A red suspension brace between the wheel strut towers, to firm up the handling, signals the car's capability.

Conclusions

For safety, side-impact airbags, antilock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution are available in an option group. The ES sedan has all-disc brakes. Integrated within the chassis, which was redesigned in '99, are front and rear crush zones. Mazda claims its 'Triple-H' frame structure forms a rigid barrier to injury from side impact. Mazda Protege is a prime example of ever-increasing levels of refinement in base offerings. For further research, visit Automotive.com's Mazda Protege overview. For years, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla were the kingpins of the economy car market and with good reason: They offer high-quality, reliable transportation. But even before it was redesigned, the Mazda Protege was a durable, refined sedan that could compete with those standard bearers. Mazda's faith in the quality of its product can be seen in its warranty: 50,000 miles compared to the 36,000-mile coverage offered by most carmakers.