2003 Mazda Protege Review
Fuel Economy
24 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
When it comes to small, snappy sedans, the Protege is a tough act to beat.
Pros
Tight suspension, powerful brakes, superb steering feel, comfortable seats, attractive exterior styling.
Cons
Suspension may be too stiff for some buyers, mediocre horsepower output given the handling capabilities of the car.
What's New for 2003
Minor changes limited to feature content are in store for Mazda's economy sedan. The DX trim gets a CD player as standard equipment, while air conditioning is offered as a stand-alone option. The LX trim receives 15-inch wheels as standard. Last year's premium packages for the LX and ES have been discontinued, but you can still get the sunroof, side airbags and antilock brakes as options.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Reliable as the Sun
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have a paper route; that is 60 miles a night of continuous stop and go with a heavy load of newspapers. This car never complains. Still has excellent get up and go with almost 150000 miles of hard driving. Never been in the shop for anything aside from a belt replacement and an AC recharge. Most reliable and solid little car I've ever owned. No rattles, clunks, or squeaks to drive one crazy. I love this car.
Favorite Features
The handling in amazing, the turn radius being extremely tight and takes turns like a dream. Roomy interior for its size. And remarkably good gas mileage in stop and go driving. The gear box in tight and responsive without much fuss.
Suggested Improvements
The headlight assembly could be a little friendlier when it comes to changing the bulbs and the fuel mileage at highway speeds could be upped a bit. But otherwise its a fantastic driver!
2003 Mazda Protege
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This is a fun car to drive .. not as fuel efficient as my 96 Protege was but the better looks on the 2003 model negates the lower mpg rating for me. Still 34 highway/24 city not bad .. roomy comfortable car despite being so small with good sound system - highly manuverable as well with tight steering
Favorite Features
Front grill work and overall look from front is exceptional - the mag wheels are an attractive feature - also the overall stance of the car gets a second glance
Suggested Improvements
paint issues seem to be in need of improvement ... no rust but some little bubbling going on - otherwise nothing negative to say.
Excellent sedan
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Bought the car new, 5 speed trans. running fine, going on its 6th year. I have driven it across country three times and have had no issues. Always changed oil between 4k-5k use synthetic. With clean air filter on the highway I've gotten 32 MPG. Control is tight and a blast to drive on good roads. Suspension may be to stiff for some on bumpy roads. Very happy with interior, sunroof and 6 CD deck (all work fine). Also like the red interior lights (good on the eyes.
Favorite Features
How the car drives on good roads, overall design. Happy to see re-sale value almost 50% of what I paid after 6 years.
Suggested Improvements
As others have mentioned in 5th gear the engine RPM is to high (for those of us who drive around 75), With a little more horse power initial pick up could be improved.
Will not be shopping for another Protege
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
A few days ago, my Protege was completely totaled by another driver in a very minor accident. So, its durability is questionable. Within the first year of owning it, I had a reoccurring problem with moisture on the inside of the car. Whenever it would rain, wells in the trunk would fill with water with no drainage route. Windshield took forever to defrost/fog. In the winter ice would form on the inside of the windshield -not a fabulous prerequisite to my morning commute. The weather stripping began to peel from the passenger door, and the door handle became loose one winter. Also, the car would rattle whenever stopped in traffic.
Favorite Features
It was very comfortable and fun to drive, great sound system.
Suggested Improvements
No major problems with the car, just an adequate number of small annoyances that will keep me from replacing it with another.
Some flaws after a few miles
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car about a year & 1/2 ago. Paid $8k w 55k and now has 82k. The A/C doesn't work on 2 or 3 setting. The transmission makes a 'growling' or humming noise and continues to get worse the more I drive it. The trunk leaks due to a faulty trunk seal; My car smells like mildew all the time because water gets under the carpets. Had to replace the drive belts around 60k due to squeaking. Hit curb and cost $3800 to fix; not the best car to get into an accident in due to thin sheet metal. Other than that, the car is a great car. I switched out the stock head unit for a Pioneer; the CD player didn't work properly. I like the aux connection on my new head unit.
Favorite Features
Handling is amazing; I never have to hit the brake on sharp turns. Headlight design. Above average interior plastics. Fit and finish is amazing. Side mirrors are very high quality. My favorite thing is the steering wheel, its small and very sporty looking. Looks great when all cleaned up.
Suggested Improvements
Smoother ride, stiffer sheet metal, better gas mileage; I get about 26 MPG combined (I do floor it all the time!). Change the instrument panel lights to blue; green isn't right for this car.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2003 Mazda Protege
- 2002 Mazda Protege
- 2001 Mazda Protege
- 2000 Mazda Protege
- 1999 Mazda Protege
- 1998 Mazda Protege
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