2002 Mazda Protegé5

Better yet, there's little penalty in ride comfort. An unabashedly taut suspension means that passengers might feel more bumps, and the car rolls a little more than might be expected, but it's smooth indeed on relatively unblemished roads. The ride is nicely controlled over bumps, which it absorbs at least to a reasonable extent, producing no really harsh reactions even when the going gets rougher. Road noise is minimal, beyond a touch of tire whoosh.


Solid and cohesive overall, the Protegé5 produces a sensation of confidence in the driver, approaching that which is experienced in full-bore sports cars. More than might be expected, in fact, the Protegé5 really behaves like a roadster—agile, maneuverable and fun to drive—but with a utility body up top instead of snug two-passenger accommodations.


Even though the Protegé5 promises virtual sports-car moves and a joyful personality coupled with generally zesty performance that tends to produce smiles, unabashed go-power is not its strong point. Manual-shift acceleration can easily be declared eager, or even frisky, but the driver shouldn't expect any startling responses when pushing down on the gas pedal. Long upgrades demand quite a bit of downshifting to keep the engine revving sufficiently high. On the plus side, the five-speed gearbox flicks through the gears easily and the clutch behaves adeptly, though a little effort is needed to produce truly easygoing startups from a standstill.


Quiet-running at all speeds, though emitting a bit of vibration when accelerating, the Protegé5 also promises frugal fuel economy. The EPA estimates gas mileage at 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for manual shift, or 25/30 with the automatic. About 60 percent are expected to have an automatic transmission (a little less than on other Protegés).

With white-faced gauges and a standard CD player, the Protegé5 has many modern conveniences and styling cues.

Getting into the front or rear is no problem, but seat comfort is one of few potential drawbacks. Definitely on the firm side, the upholstery offers less cushioning than some occupants might prefer, though back support is satisfying. The back seat is even harder-cushioned, but no less spacious, offering a surprising level of legroom for a small car.