1999 - 2003 MAZDA Protege

The Mazda Protege is a compact car that was produced by Mazda from 1990 to 2003. It was available in various body styles including sedan, hatchback, and wagon.

The Protege was known for its reliability and fuel efficiency, making it a popular choice among buyers looking for an affordable and practical car. It offered a comfortable and spacious interior, with seating for up to five passengers.

In terms of performance, the Protege came with different engine options throughout its production years, including both gasoline and diesel engines. It offered a smooth and responsive ride, with agile handling and good maneuverability.

Safety features included in the Protege varied depending on the year and trim level, but commonly included features like antilock brakes, airbags, and traction control. It also received high crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Over the years, the Protege underwent several updates and redesigns, with each iteration bringing improvements in performance, technology, and overall quality. It was praised for its reliability and low maintenance costs by owners and automotive enthusiasts.

Overall, the Mazda Protege was a practical and reliable compact car that offered good performance, fuel efficiency, and safety features. It was a popular choice among buyers looking for a budget-friendly and dependable vehicle.

Mazda Protege is a compact car that was first introduced in 1964, under the name Mazda Familia. Over the years, the Protege has gone through several model generations, redesigns, and name changes. Here are the main models, generations, and redesigns of the Mazda Protege:

1. First Generation (1964-1967): The first-generation Mazda Protege was initially known as the Mazda Familia. It featured a boxy design with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout.

2. Second Generation (1968-1973): The second-generation Protege/Familia underwent a redesign and introduced a more modern look. It featured a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout.

3. Third Generation (1973-1977): This generation of the Protege/Familia featured a larger body and more aerodynamic styling. It also introduced the popular "Fastback" and "Sedan" variations.

4. Fourth Generation (1977-1980): The fourth-generation Protege/Familia saw further design enhancements, including more streamlined looks. It offered various engines and body styles, including sedan, "Sport Wagon," and "Van" variants.

5. Fifth Generation (1980-1984): This generation of the Protege/Familia featured a more angular and modern design. It offered improved safety features and fuel efficiency.

6. Sixth Generation (1985-1989): The sixth-generation Mazda Protege/Familia received a major redesign, with a sleek and rounded body style. It also introduced various technological advancements, such as fuel injection and advanced suspension systems.

7. Seventh Generation (1990-1994): The seventh-generation Protege represented a significant departure from previous models, with a more refined and upscale appearance. It featured improved aerodynamics, increased interior space, and updated engines.

8. Eighth Generation (1995-1998): The eighth-generation Protege continued the trend of more evolved styling, with a rounded and sleek design. It offered improved handling, safety features, and interior comfort.

9. Ninth Generation (1999-2003): The ninth-generation Protege received a complete redesign, adopting a more modern and aggressive look. This generation introduced the "Protegé" name and offered several engine options, including a high-performance version called the Mazdaspeed Protege.

10. Tenth Generation (2004-2011): The tenth-generation Protege was renamed the Mazda3 and featured a completely new design language. It offered improved performance, handling, and a more luxurious interior.

11. Eleventh Generation (2014-present): The eleventh-generation Mazda3 continues to be a popular compact car. It features Mazda's "KODO" design language, offering a sleek and sporty appearance. It also includes advanced safety features and innovative technologies.

Throughout its various generations and redesigns, the Mazda Protege/Familia has evolved from a simple and boxy compact car to a stylish and technologically advanced vehicle.

The Mazda Protege was offered with two engine options: a 1.6-liter inline-four engine and a 1.8-liter inline-four engine. The 1.6-liter engine produced 103 horsepower and 100 lb-ft of torque, while the 1.8-liter engine produced 122 horsepower and 117 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines were paired with a five-speed manual transmission as standard, with a four-speed automatic transmission available as an option.

In terms of performance, the Mazda Protege offered respectable acceleration and handling for its class. The car had a relatively light curb weight, which helped it to feel nimble and responsive on the road. The suspension setup was well-tuned, striking a good balance between comfort and sportiness.

Overall, while the Mazda Protege was not a high-performance vehicle, it offered solid performance and a fun-to-drive nature that made it a popular choice among compact sedan buyers.

The fuel economy, MPG, of a Mazda Protege varies depending on the year and model. Here are some average fuel economy ratings for different model years of the Mazda Protege:

• 1998 Mazda Protege: 22 MPG city / 29 MPG highway
• 2001 Mazda Protege: 24 MPG city / 31 MPG highway
• 2004 Mazda Protege: 25 MPG city / 30 MPG highway

Note that these are just average fuel economy ratings and actual mileage may vary depending on driving conditions and vehicle maintenance.

The interior of the MAZDA Protege is simple and functional. The seats are comfortable and provide adequate support for passengers. The cabin is spacious enough for a compact car, offering enough legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers.

The dashboard layout is well-organized and easy to navigate. The controls are placed within easy reach of the driver, making it convenient to adjust settings while driving. The materials used in the interior are of decent quality, although there are some hard plastics that can feel cheap.

In terms of exterior design, the MAZDA Protege has a sleek and timeless look. It features clean lines and a smooth silhouette, giving it a refined appearance. The car's proportions are well-balanced, and its overall design is inoffensive and pleasant to the eye.

In terms of comfort, the MAZDA Protege is adequate for daily commuting and short trips. The suspension is well-tuned, offering a comfortable ride over most road surfaces. However, the car's compact size means that it may feel slightly cramped for taller individuals, especially in the rear seats.

Overall, the MAZDA Protege provides a comfortable and functional interior, with a stylish and attractive exterior design. It is a reliable and practical choice for those looking for a compact car.

The MAZDA Protege is a compact car model manufactured by the Japanese automaker Mazda. Although it is not equipped with the most advanced infotainment and connectivity features compared to newer car models, it still offers some notable features for its time.

Infotainment System: The MAZDA Protege typically comes with a standard audio system, which includes an AM/FM radio and a CD player. Some higher trim levels may also include a cassette player. The audio system is typically controlled through physical buttons and knobs on the dashboard. It may also come with a small display screen to show information about the current audio source.

Connectivity: In terms of connectivity, the MAZDA Protege does not come with built-in Bluetooth or USB ports. However, it may have an auxiliary input jack, which allows you to connect external devices, such as smartphones or MP3 players, using an aux cable. This allows you to play music from your external device through the car's audio system.

Upgrades and Aftermarket Options: Although the MAZDA Protege is not equipped with advanced infotainment features from the factory, there are aftermarket options available to upgrade the car's audio system. These upgrades may include installing a new head unit with modern features like Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, and even touchscreen displays. Additionally, you may also find upgrade options for better sound quality, such as upgraded speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofers.

Overall, while the MAZDA Protege may not have the latest infotainment and connectivity features, it can still be enhanced with aftermarket upgrades for a more modern and connected driving experience.

The MAZDA Protege is equipped with several safety features and driver-assistance technologies to enhance the overall safety of the vehicle and its occupants. Here are some of the key safety features and driver-assistance technologies available in the MAZDA Protege:

1. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): The ABS helps prevent the wheels from locking up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control and avoid potential accidents.

2. Electronic Stability Control (ESC): This system helps to keep the vehicle stable and on its intended path during cornering maneuvers or in slippery conditions, reducing the risk of skidding or loss of control.

3. Traction Control System (TCS): The TCS helps to manage traction by limiting wheel spin when accelerating, especially on slippery surfaces. It improves the car's stability and control under various driving conditions.

4. Brake Assist: This technology detects emergency braking situations and automatically provides additional braking force to help shorten stopping distances.

5. Dual Front Airbags: The MAZDA Protege comes with dual front airbags that provide additional protection to the driver and front passenger in the event of a collision.

6. Side-Impact Airbags: Some models of the MAZDA Protege are equipped with side-impact airbags that protect occupants in the event of a side collision.

7. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): This system continuously monitors the tire pressure and alerts the driver if the pressure drops below a safe level. It improves safety and helps prevent accidents caused by underinflated tires.

8. Rearview Camera: A rearview camera is available in some models of the MAZDA Protege to assist the driver in parking and maneuvering the vehicle safely.

9. Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM): This system uses sensors to detect vehicles in the blind spots of the MAZDA Protege. It provides a visual or audible alert to warn the driver of potential hazards when changing lanes.

10. Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS): LDWS alerts the driver if the vehicle unintentionally crosses the lane markers without signaling. It helps prevent accidental lane departures and reduces the risk of collisions.

11. Forward Collision Warning (FCW): FCW uses sensors to detect the distance between the vehicle and objects or vehicles ahead. It provides a warning to the driver if a potential collision is detected, allowing the driver to react and brake in time.

12. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): AEB works in conjunction with FCW and automatically applies the brakes if a potential collision is detected and the driver does not respond in time. It helps to mitigate or avoid collisions altogether.

These safety features and driver-assistance technologies work together to enhance the MAZDA Protege's overall safety performance and provide peace of mind to the driver and passengers.