1997 Mazda Protege Review
1997 Mazda Protege Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Styling revisions inside and out update this roomy compact sedan.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$144/mo for Protege LX
Protege LX
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
We've been unfair to the Protege. Last year's review criticized Mazda for requiring consumers to buy the top-of-the-line ES to get the goodies on the options list, and we bitched about the Protege's price, which has pegged this smart sedan near the top of the compact sedan cost list since its debut in 1995.
These days, compacts regularly top $15,000 with a modest load of equipment. Mazda has been pricing cars more aggressively, resulting in better values despite the fact that all Proteges are shipped to the U.S. from Japan. Incentives and subsidized leases make the Protege even more desirable.
Not that the car itself isn't appealing. The Protege boasts the largest interior in its class, and J.D. Power and Associates found that the Protege finished among the top ten cars in its most recent Initial Quality Study. For 1997, exterior styling is spruced up with a new front bumper, grille, fenders and headlamps. Inside, a revised dashboard makes it easier to operate climate and stereo controls. New wheelcovers give the LX a more upmarket appearance.
Protege is available in DX, LX and ES trim. DX is very basic, nothing more than a price leader powered by an adequate 1.5-liter 92-horsepower engine. LX is the most popular Protege, and it comes standard with tilt wheel, cruise control, cassette stereo, power door locks, power windows, and power exterior mirrors. Step up to the ES, and you'll get a mini sport sedan equipped with a 122-horsepower 1.8-liter engine, disc brakes all around, air conditioning, and the ticket to alloy wheels.
Fully-loaded, the ES nearly reaches $19,000 including destination charges. While the ES is our favorite, we recommend the more sensible LX for budget-minded shoppers. Decently equipped with automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes, buyers can get into the LX for less than $17,000 sticker. That's still a good chunk of change for a small sedan, but not unusual in 1997. Take the Protege for a test drive, and find out for yourself if this attractive little Mazda is right for you.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Mazda Protege.
5 star(45%)
4 star(39%)
3 star(11%)
2 star(5%)
1 star(0%)
38 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.75 out of 5 stars
Still Going After 15 Years
cjh1948, 07/10/2011
1997 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
OK, so this is not a sexy looking car with super electronics.
But, it is still going strong after 15 years, gets good mpg, and does not cost a lot to own/maintain.
It's not comfortable enough for long hauls, but I only use it for short, around town trips, so it meets my needs.
Paint is still holding up, as is the upholstry.
Water pump replacement is about the most major repair the car … has had.
4 out of 5 stars
Just won't die
mochica, 04/19/2014
1997 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
Best reliable car I 've ever bought. After 17 years, car runs strong. I drive 120 miles daily average. Everything works. Mpg @33mpg. Mayor repairs: timing belt/ radiator change / front axles. Minor: Upstream O2 sensor / EGR valve clean up. Car is easy to repair. Done it myself except timing belt. Total $ amount of repairs + tires= $4,300. Walmart brand synthetic oil keeps this car well … lubed all these years.
4.88 out of 5 stars
GREAT LITTLE CAR
HAPPY WITH THE ES MO, 06/12/2004
1997 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan
IF ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT LX
MODELS AND SAID THEY
WERE "UNDERPOWERED" , WHY DIDN'T THEY
BUY THE ES MODEL WITH THE BIGGER
MOTOR ?? I BOUGHT AN ES MODEL WHICH
NOW HAS 210,000 MILES ON IT AS OF JUNE
OF 2004, AND IT STILL GETS UP AND GOES
JUST LIKE IT DID WHEN IT WAS NEW. I
WOULD DEFINITELY BUY ANOTHER ONE.
MAYBE MAZDA HEARD THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT
POWER, I BELIEVE THE … 2004 MODELS HAVE
A 2.2 LITER MOTOR IN THEM ....
4.88 out of 5 stars
'97 Mazda Protege LX
DJ Wheel, 08/21/2009
1997 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
One owner, regular maintenance,timing chain replaced at 85,000, new tires, 90,000+ miles, exterior white paint flaws.
1997 Protege Highlights
LX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 29 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $144/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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