2003 Mazda Protege5 Review

Name: 2003 Mazda Protege5 Review
Brand: Mazda
Price: 2113 USD
Rating: 4.8 (304 reviews)

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Mazda Protege5 model years

2003
2002

Mazda Protege5 for Sale

2003
2002

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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

Cargo area too small to be considered for real station wagon duty.

What’s new

The Protege5 now has carpeted floor mats as standard equipment, and the moonroof can now only be had with an in-dash six-disc CD changer. There's also a new color this year: Laser Blue Mica.

Edmunds says

An enjoyable compact wagon that possesses more than its fair share of sports car reflexes.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 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 $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$158/mo

$168/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Mazda Protege5.

5 (84%)

4 (13%)

3 (2%)

2 (1%)

1 (0%)

4.8

304 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 304 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Amazing

rylie1, 07/17/2013

2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

I drove this car for three weeks. I loved it. Unfortunately a guy turned in front of me without looking. My car got totaled. This car saved my life. The paramedics could not believe how much the car was squished and not me. Besides the normal symptoms of a crash, I am way better than I should be. This is one amazing car in all aspects.

Spacious and reliable

Rome45249@gmail.com, 04/21/2016

2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

These cars are great on gas mileage they have a pretty good amount of room and maintenance is very low

Absolutely Love It.

kenmo, 09/17/2011

2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

I work at a car rental company at an airport, so I drive brand new 2011-2012 cars all day long. This car is on par with these brand new cars, in my opinion. Everything about it is wonderful. The features, the handling, the styling, the utility, the mileage!. It's by far my favorite car to drive out of all I have driven!

Best car I've ever owned

crawlnstall, 03/17/2011

2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

I bought Stella, my 2003 Mazda Protege5, about 14 months ago. It had 95,000 miles on it and now has 105,000. I was previously driving an old beat up Honda. It was a night and day difference between the two. It looks beautiful and new. Interior is great. Bad placement on the cupholders, only bad part of the interior. It is a fun, zippy quick car with great gas mileage. Stock tires drive …

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2003 Protege5 Highlights

Base MSRP	$16,895
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$158/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested

2003 Mazda Protege5 Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 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 $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Mazda Protege5.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Amazing

Spacious and reliable

Absolutely Love It.

Best car I've ever owned

2003 Protege5 Highlights

Safety

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2003 Mazda Protege5 Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 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 $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Most helpful consumer reviews

Amazing

Spacious and reliable

Absolutely Love It.

Best car I've ever owned

2003 Protege5 Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2003 Mazda Protege5 info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research recent models from same make

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 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 $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}