Mazda Protege5

A lot of times it happens that the advertising campaign of the product gets ahead of the product described by the manufacturer. Well, this is not the case with the brilliant Mazda Protégé 5 for the amazing vehicle that it is. With a number of great features present in the car, 2.0 L Inline 4-cylinder steals the headlines because of its great performance and fuel efficiency. Mazda Protégé 5 is a spectacular Front Wheel Drive with a 5 speed manual transmission that lets you take control of a powerhouse and test its limits on the roads.

Overview

Mazda Protégé 5 is one of the hottest cars of its time and no wonder why it enjoys its fair share of sports car reflexes on the road. The most noticeable features of the car include a tight suspension and a set of strong brakes. A great addition in the 2003 version of Protégé 5 is that there are now carpeted floor mats in the car which give a great comfortable feeling to the drivers and passengers. A new cool colors has also been introduced the same year called Laser blue mica. The best thing about the Protégé is that it is morphing towards sportiness and its sporty style which will become your identity in no time.

Under the hood

ULEV 2.0-liter engine is what makes this car unique and different from the others as it adds 8 HP and 15 lb. ft. to Protégé. The car weighs about 2800 lb. and what’s great is that it responds amazingly fast to the steering inputs. The car generates 130 hp @ 6000 rpm which is quite good given its size and weight. 4 inline cylinders are installed in the car which offer great performance with the engine. It reaches 0 to 60 mph in about 9.5 seconds and time taken in street start from 5 to 10 mph is 10.1 seconds.

However, some critics have blamed the Protégé’s engine to be a bit noisy and that it runs out of breath when reaching high speeds. However, when compared with Lotus Elise, Protégé 5 comes out just fine with a relatively quieter engine than the former.

Exterior

The exterior of the car adds about 80 lbs. to the car but it does give the driver pretty much space to add cargo and stuff in it. The extensive structural enhancements let the driver boast off about its really sporty and dandy looks. Who wouldn’t want to try out a Protégé themselves after noticing the simplicity of both the interior and the exterior? The classic but sporty exterior of the car has been greatly improved over the years. However, to be honest, the car seems a bit rotund from some angles even with the kit on but this is not a big issue and you are going to have to learn to live with it.

Interior/Styling

The interior of the car is pretty spacious and comfortable but what comes in handy is that its handling and controls are pretty simple and easy to handle. The factory black leather interior is something better than a lot of the manufacturers and it is quite attractive too. The interior lighting is really cool and makes you feel like you’re home and gives enough light that you could even read something. Even for tall people, the car doesn’t fall short and they can fit in pretty easily. The leather interior in very comfortable and you can easily use this car for long trips with friends and family and you will not get tired real soon.

Options and Packages

There are quite a number of options and packages that Mazda Protégé 5 offers like remote keyless entry, rear cargo lift, power front windows and more. The air condition of the car also comes in handy in the hot and humid areas so you can use this car pretty much anywhere. The great tilt steering wheel option is also available for the driver. Besides that, there are a lot of entertainment options and packages available in the car such as 7 speakers, CD player and AM and FM radio. Moreover, you could also install a cassette for just $200. The rear window wiper lets you clean the rear window easily and front fog lights improve your visibility to a large extent in foggy areas where visibility is low. You could also install a third party 4 speed automatic transmission for just $900.

Fuel Economy

Most of the SUVs of this size don’t give good fuel economy and that is where Mazda Protégé 5 steals the show. The fuel economy that it offers is 22/28 mpg in the city which is pretty amazing given the size of the car and a handful of great features too. Highway fuel economy is a little lower than suburban fuel economy but that depends on how you drive the car and of course the number of passengers sitting in the car. It gives up to 31 mpg on the highway but at the cost of a bit loud noise.

Safety and Security features

The car receives a good safety rating from the safety tests that it has underwent and it also has child door locks for families with kids. The lack of engine immobilizer lifts little concerns but it is nothing serious. There are a number of safety airbags on the front and on the rear to grant maximum protection to the driver and the passengers in case of any accident. The car receives full rating in front impact rating and received 3 out of 5 points in rear impact rating. Also the crash test rating makes it a totally safe and secure car for you to drive anywhere.

So given its features and great engine and attractive styling, Mazda Protégé can easily become your next favorite car if you are looking for a spacious car with a number of great safety and security features. The car also has a great fuel economy so it means that it will also save you a lot of money in the long term.