NAVIGATION
Introduction
Fourth Place
Third Place
Second Place
First Place
Conclusion
Editors' Evaluation
Specifications and Performance
Editors' Picks and Recommendations
Top 5 Features
Consumer Commentary
Final Rankings and Scoring Evaluations

USEFUL TOOLS
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Comparison Tests

2003 Econosport Sedans Comparison Test
Editors' Evaluation
 By Ed Hellwig
 Date Posted 08-18-2003

Evaluation - Drive
Evaluation - Ride
Evaluation - Design
Evaluation - Cargo/Passenger Space

Evaluation - Drive

Engine Performance
Vehicle Score Rank
Dodge SRT-4 9.7 1
Mazdaspeed Protegé 8.3 2 (t)
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 8.3 2 (t)
Ford SVT Focus 7.0 4

Transmission
Vehicle Score Rank
Dodge SRT-4 7.7 1
Ford SVT Focus
 7.3 2
Mazdaspeed Protegé 6.7 3
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 5.0 4

Braking
Vehicle Score Rank
Ford SVT Focus 9.3 1
Dodge SRT-4 8.3 2 (t)
Mazdaspeed Protegé
 8.3 2 (t)
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 6.7 4

Suspension
Vehicle Score Rank
Ford SVT Focus
 9.7 1
Mazdaspeed Protegé 8.7 2
Dodge SRT-4
 8.0 3
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
 7.3 4

Tires
Vehicle Score Rank
Dodge SRT-4 8.3 1
Mazdaspeed Protegé
 8.0 2
Ford SVT Focus
 7.7 3
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 7.0 4

Steering
Vehicle Score Rank
Mazdaspeed Protegé 9.3 1
Ford SVT Focus
 8.7 2
Dodge SRT-4
 7.7 3
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
 7.3 4

Visibility
Vehicle Score Rank
Mazdaspeed Protegé 8.0 1
Ford SVT Focus
 6.7 2 (t)
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
 6.7 2 (t)
Dodge SRT-4
 6.0 4

Fun to Drive
Vehicle Score Rank
Dodge SRT-4 9.0 1
Ford SVT Focus 8.3 2 (t)
Mazdaspeed Protegé 8.3 2 (t)
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 7.7 4

Evaluation - Ride
Seat Comfort Front
Vehicle Score Rank
Dodge SRT-4 9.0 1
Ford SVT Focus 7.7 2
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 7.3 3
Mazdaspeed Protegé 7.0 4

Seat Comfort Rear
Vehicle Score Rank
Mazdaspeed Protegé 7.3 1
Ford SVT Focus
 7.0 2
Dodge SRT-4
 6.7 3
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
 5.3 4

Wind & Road Noise
Vehicle Score Rank
Dodge SRT-4 7.7 1 (t)
Ford SVT Focus 7.7 1 (t)
Mazdaspeed Protegé 7.3 3
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 6.3 4

Rattles & Squeaks
Vehicle Score Rank
Ford SVT Focus
 8.3 1 (t)
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 8.3 1 (t)
Mazdaspeed Protegé 8.0 3
Dodge SRT-4 7.7 4

Evaluation - Design
Interior Design
Vehicle Score Rank
Dodge SRT-4 8.3 1
Mazdaspeed Protegé
 7.3 2
Ford SVT Focus
 6.3 3
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 5.7 4

Interior Material
Vehicle Score Rank
Mazdaspeed Protegé 9.0 1
Ford SVT Focus
 8.3 2
Dodge SRT-4
 6.7 3
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
 6.0 4

Climate Control Design/Operation
Vehicle Score Rank
Dodge SRT-4 8.3 1 (t)
Ford SVT Focus 8.3 1 (t)
Mazdaspeed Protegé 8.0 3
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 7.3 4

Audio System Design/Operation
Vehicle Score Rank
Ford SVT Focus
 8.0 1
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 7.0 2
Dodge SRT-4
 6.3 3
Mazdaspeed Protegé
 2.7 4

Secondary Control Design/Operation
Vehicle Score Rank
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 8.7 1
Ford SVT Focus 8.3 2 (t)
Mazdaspeed Protegé 8.3 2 (t)
Dodge SRT-4 7.7 4

Exterior Design
Vehicle Score Rank
Mazdaspeed Protegé 8.3 1
Dodge SRT-4 7.0 2
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 6.3 3
Ford SVT Focus 5.3 4

Headlight Illumination
Vehicle Score Rank
Dodge SRT-4 7.3 1 (t)
Ford SVT Focus 7.3 1 (t)
Mazdaspeed Protegé 7.3 1 (t)
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 7.3 1 (t)

Overall Build Quality
Vehicle Score Rank
Mazdaspeed Protegé 8.7 1
Ford SVT Focus
 7.6 2
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
 7.3 3
Dodge SRT-4
 7.0 4

Evaluation - Cargo/Passenger Space

Entry/Exit
Vehicle Score Rank
Ford SVT Focus
 7.7 1 (t)
Mazdaspeed Protegé 7.7 1 (t)
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
 7.0 3
Dodge SRT-4
 5.3 4

Expanding/Loading Cargo
Vehicle Score Rank
Dodge SRT-4 8.0 1
Ford SVT Focus 7.3 2 (t)
Mazdaspeed Protegé 7.3 2 (t)
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 6.3 4

Storage Space
Vehicle Score Rank
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 7.7 1
Mazdaspeed Protegé 6.7 2
Dodge SRT-4 6.3 3
Ford SVT Focus 5.3 4

Cupholders
Vehicle Score Rank
Mazdaspeed Protegé 7.0 1
Dodge SRT-4 6.7 2
Ford SVT Focus
 6.3 3
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 5.0 4


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