2003 Mazda Protege5 Review
2003 Mazda Protege5 Review

Used Protege5 for sale
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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 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.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$158/mo for Protege5 Base
Protege5 Base
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Mazda Protege5.
5 star(84%)
4 star(13%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(0%)
304 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
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.
5 out of 5 stars
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
4.88 out of 5 stars
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!
4.63 out of 5 stars
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 … terribly in any kind of snow, if you buy snow tires like I did its does amazing in snow, but stock tires are awful in snow. Cupholders and tires are only complaints. I absolutely love everything else about my amazingly fun to drive protege5.
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 |
Safety
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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