2001 Mazda Protege Review
2001 Mazda Protege Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Tight suspension, powerful brakes, superb steering feel, comfortable seats, attractive exterior styling.
Cons
- No other body styles available other than four-door, suspension may be too stiff for some buyers, potentially expensive.
What’s new
Already one of the best-looking economy sedans on the market, the Protege receives freshened exterior styling for 2001. ES models now have standard 16-inch wheels, and 15-inch wheels are optional on LX models. A larger 2.0-liter engine replaces the previous 1.8-liter engine. All Proteges get a revised interior and improvements to ride comfort, braking effort and steering feel. Front seatbelt pre-tensioners are standard.
Edmunds says
When it comes to small, snappy sedans, the Protege is a tough act to beat.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M) 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 $3.46 per gallon for regular unleaded in Georgia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Georgia
$156/mo for Protege DX
Protege DX
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Now in its third model year, Mazda's current Protege is a snappy car that competes against vehicles like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. Sold only as a four-door sedan, the Protege is available in three trim levels: DX, LX and ES. The base-model DX comes with standard features like power steering, a tilt steering wheel and a split-folding seatback. For options like a driver's height-adjustable seat, power windows and locks, a tachometer, and cruise control, you'll have to step up to either the LX or the ES. The ES also comes with features like standard air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, and optional ABS and side airbags.
Both the DX and the LX use a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 105 horsepower and 107 foot-pounds of torque. Power from the 1.6-liter is tolerable, but buyers looking for more acceleration should opt for the new 2.0-liter engine. Optional on the LX and standard on the ES, the new engine puts out 130 horsepower. Torque is rated at 135 foot-pounds, up 12.5 percent over last year's 1.8-liter engine.
The Protege is one of the best-looking economy sedans on the market, and the 2001 improvements should only further the car's lead. Mazda has updated the front end's styling, adding a new grille, hood, fenders and headlights. The attractive brushed-aluminum wheels go a long way toward giving the Mazda an upscale appearance, as do the jewel-like headlight reflectors, angular taillights and chrome accents.
The firm seats are comfortable, and the seat height and cushion angle adjustments (on the LX and ES) are greatly appreciated. The driving position is excellent, with a thick steering wheel rim to grip and a properly placed dead pedal for the left foot. There's also a proper Germanic front-passenger door grip, nicely padded upper door panels where elbows often rest, lots of storage nooks and crannies, a large rear seat, and a commodious 12.9 cubic foot trunk. For 2001, the interior features a new center stack design, new seat and trim fabric, a new interior color, a modular audio system, improved cupholders, ignition key illumination, power window switch illumination, a map light, a lockable glove box, and a lock for the 60/40 split-fold rear seatback.
On the road, the Protege is a bit louder than expected, but it does provide an excellent drive. Credit goes to the first-rate steering system with gobs of feedback, perfect weighting and no on-center dead spot. Enhanced by a taut and well-damped suspension, Protege is the "driver's car" of economy sedans.
The Mazda Protege is a long-time favorite of ours. And although its price can rise to uncomfortable levels (especially with the ES model), the Protege deserves the attention of people looking for a comfortably quick commuter with spicy style and a good reliability record.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 Mazda Protege.
5 star(65%)
4 star(28%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
77 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Decent Car
shizzel12, 07/17/2011
2001 Mazda Protege LX 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Good quick car to get around the city and beat other cars to a parking spot. handles good and can take tight turns that you couldnt do with most vehicles. For a 4 cylinder this car can move when you need it to. Most 4 cylinders dont have the best highway driving but this car accelerates good at higher speeds and passes with ease. I dont recommend it though if you will only be using it … for highway driving because the ride is a little bumpy. I dont really care much for the mpg because for a car this size you expect it to have better gas. When i bought this car i was a little skepticle but it turned out to do what i needed it to do and i gave i just sold it in good condition with 173000 miles.
5 out of 5 stars
Great car
Steve, 11/24/2015
2001 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
I bought my 01 protege 3 years ago for $500.00 with 150k. He thought it was on its last leg lol it now has 235k and still gets a persistent 34 to 37 mpg and just runs like a sewing machine. The only maintenance I've had was a starter battery brakes tires and alternator
5 out of 5 stars
Awesome Car
Liz, 04/28/2006
2001 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Great car for a woman! NEVER have any mechanical problems; the only thing I do to this car is the routine maintenance that it needs. It already has more that 100,000 miles and is still running like the first day I bought it :)
5 out of 5 stars
The Best Car I've ever owned
queenb, 12/18/2009
2001 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I have always loved the Protege. This one has over 165k and is still going strong. Makes me say "zoom zoom" every time I go around a corner fast. Never had a problem with it, it has never been in the shop for anything other than routine care. Everything still works great. No electrical problems at all. Someone just hit it, how do I part with the best car ever?
2001 Protege Highlights
DX
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $12,765 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $156/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- 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 – OriginalMarginal
- 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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