1998 Mazda Protege Review
1998 Mazda Protege Review

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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Zingy powertrain, despite lackluster performance data. Large inside. Fun to drive.
Cons
- Average crash scores. No de-powered airbags.
What’s new
A CD player is standard on ES and LX. It also comes on DX models equipped with an option package.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 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 $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$134/mo for Protege LX
Protege LX
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
We've been unfair to the Protigi in the past. A couple of years ago we criticized Mazda for requiring consumers to buy the top-of-the-line ES to get the goodies on the options list, and we complained about the Protege's price, which had 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 a recent Initial Quality Study. For 1997, exterior styling was spruced up with a new front bumper, grille, fenders and headlamps. Inside, a revised dashboard made it easier to operate climate and stereo controls. New wheelcovers gave the LX a more upmarket appearance. This year, a CD player has been added to the standard equipment list of the LX and ES. It comes on the DX too, but only when ordered with a Convenience Package.
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 cruise control, power windows, and a CD player. 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 fun times behind the wheel.
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 antilock brakes, buyers can get into the LX for less than $16,000 sticker. That's still a good chunk of change for a small sedan, but not unusual in 1998. Take the Protege for a test drive, and find out if this attractive little Mazda is right for you.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Mazda Protege.
5 star(44%)
4 star(42%)
3 star(11%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
36 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Timex Tin Can
craig, 02/21/2009
1998 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan
The car has been very reliable as others have mentioned, however this is transportation at it's most basic level. This car is a noisy tin can on wheels. Radio must be cranked in order to overcome excessive road noise. Car lacks power even with the larger 1.8L engine and is really not that great on gas. I rarely take it on highways and my wife refuses to drive it at all because of the … "Tin Can" feel. With that said, it is a reliable beater for local commutes but would not take this car on long trips.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Fun car
Danioes, 01/16/2005
1998 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
Bought the car at 71,000 miles. It's been trouble free with only preventive maintenance needed. The 1.5 is underpowered, but the 5-speed makes it fun to drive. This car also gets great mileage (30 mpg city/highway mix, 37 mpg all highway). Roomy car (I am 6'5"). Very very practical car.
3.63 out of 5 stars
Reliable, fun, needs more power!
dennisjhs, 03/09/2003
1998 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
This is my 5th Mazda, 2nd Protege. Fun
to drive, but, even with the manual
transmission needs more umph! The 13"
tyres don't grip the road very well, so
I replaced the wheels with alloys and
used the stock LX/ES sized tyres of
185x65x14 and it made a considerable
improvement in handling and braking.
But, inspite of the manual
transmission, its a loud vehicle; I …
installed Dynashield Extreme and other
sound insulation products to kill the
road noise. Reliable, has only needed
regular maintance in 101,000 miles and
a battery. Was totaled in a accident,
so I looking for another to replace it.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Love my 5 year old Protege!
jalth, 10/22/2003
1998 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
I have had my car for over 5 years now,
bought it with 30 miles on it. I drive
it about 11,000 miles a year. This car
has been so good to me. I have only had
1 minor problem so far with it, the
shifter froze one winter and wouldn't
shift, but that was fixed years ago.
This car has been so dependable, I
would recommend to anyone.
1998 Protege Highlights
LX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 29 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $134/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.1 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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