Big news for economy-car buyers: The Mazda Protege has been totally redesigned for 1999. If you liked the previous incarnation of the Protege--which was last overhauled in '95--you'll love the new version. For 1999, Mazda's engineers have not only given the Protege a spiffy new suit of clothes--the new body design has a distinctly European look--they've also given it a new frame, two new engines to choose from and a re-designed transmission. That ground-up rebuild is even more admirable in light of the fact that the previous Protege was so fundamentally sound and aesthetically pleasing that Mazda could have gone a few more years without a redesign--and the Protege would still have been one of the leaders in its class. Every time a world-class carmaker--and Mazda certainly qualifies--re-designs a stellar performer, they face a new challenge: How do you improve on a sure-fire winner? In the case of the Protege, Mazda has risen to the challenge by raising the bar--they've built luxury-car styling, comfort, and roominess into an economy car. The result is a compact car that's so far improved over the spartan econo-boxes of the 1980s and early-1990s that it seems like a different species.
2003 Mazda Protege
Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.
You can interpret our ratings in the following way:
: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.
: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.
: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.
: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.
: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.
Overview
Specs & Features
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque | 2.0L I-4 / 130 HP / 135 ft.lbs. |
Drive Type | Front-wheel |
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined | 25 / 31 / 28 Mpg |
Brakes | Front Disc/rear Drum |
Front Suspension | Strut |
Rear Suspension | Independent Strut |
Spare Tire And Wheel | Compact Steel |
Fuel Tank | 14.5 Gal. |
Recommended Fuel Type | Regular Unleaded |
Average Cost To Fill Tank | $55 |
Maximum Cargo Volume | 12.9 Cu.ft. |
Passenger Volume | 93 Cu.ft. |
Exterior Length | 175.3 " |
Exterior Width | 67.1 " |
Exterior Height | 55.5 " |
Front Headroom | 39.3 " |
Rear Headroom | 37.4 " |
Front Legroom | 42.2 " |
Rear Legroom | 35.4 " |
Front Shoulder Room | 53.9 " |
Rear Shoulder Room | 53.4 " |
Front Hip Room | |
Rear Hip Room | |
Curb Weight | 2,634 Lbs. / 2,687 Lbs. |
Wheel Base | 103 " |
Turning Radius | 17.0 ' |
Door Count | 4 Doors |
Wheels | 15.0 " Steel |
Paint | Clearcoat Monotone |
Exterior Mirrors | Dual Manual Remote |
Bumpers | Body-colored |
Grille Moldings | Black |
Rear Spoiler | Wing |
Exhaust | Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish / Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish |
Passenger Capacity | 5 |
Seat Trim | Cloth |
Front Seat Type | Bucket |
Heated Front Seats | |
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls | 4-way |
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls | 4-way |
Front Armrests | 4-way |
Rear Armrests | |
Rear Seats | 60-40 Bench |
Radio | Am/fm, Clock, Seek-scan / Am/fm, Seek-scan / Clock |
Speakers | 4 / 4 Kenwood |
Radio Steering Wheel Controls | |
Apple Car Play | |
Android Auto | |
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity |
Steering Wheel Type | Tilt |
Climate Control | |
Cruise Control | |
Sun Roof | |
Rearview Mirror | Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night |
One Touch Open Window | |
Tinted Windows | Light |
Vanity Mirrors | |
Remote Keyless Entry | |
Power Outlets | 1 |
Overall Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
|
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
|
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating |
Not Yet Available
|
Rollover Crash Safety Rating | |
Front Impact Airbags | Driver And Passenger |
Driver Side Impact Airbags | |
Knee Airbag | |
Passenger Side Impact Airbag | |
Rear Side Airbag | |
Seatbelt Pretensioners | Front |
Anti-Lock Brakes | |
Forward Collision Warning | |
Blind Spot Sensor | |
Lane Departure Warning | |
Autonomous Cruise Control | |
Pedestrian Detection | |
Driver Attention Alert | |
Daytime Running Lights | |
Auto High Beams | |
Adaptive Headlights | |
Parking Sensors | |
Security Systems | |
Panic Alarm | |
Ignition Disable |
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles | 48 Months / 50,000 Miles |
Major Components Months | 48 Months / 50,000 Miles |
Included Maintenance Months | |
Roadside Assistance Months | 48 Months / 50,000 Miles |
Corrosion Perforation | 60 Months / Unlimited Miles |
Accessories Months | 48 Months / 50,000 Miles |
Used 2003 Mazda Protege for Sale
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