2002 Mazda Protegé5

A fun yet practical sport wagon

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Fun behind the wheel doesn't have to preclude practicality. Mazda is proving that premise with its new Protegé5, which is basically a five-door variant of the well-known Protegé four-door sedan (with trunk). A new body style for Mazda, Protegé5 combines the practical virtues of a wagon with the taut suspension and precise maneuverability of a small sport sedan. The new model went on sale as an early 2002.

Affordable and sportable, the 2002 Protegé5 should be a hit with the younger crowd as well as aftermarket tuners. Five-doors haven't been popular in the U.S. lately, though they've remained high on shopping lists in both Europe and Japan. Mazda first called the new model a "sporty wagon," but then switched to Protegé5. There's "probably some negative baggage" with the wagon name, said executive vice president Steve Odell. The Protegé5 is actually a follow-up to the MP3 sedan, which was introduced in mid-2001 with a 140-horsepower four-cylinder engine, various performance-oriented components, and an alluring MP3 audio system.

Although the Protegé5 has the regular Protegé's 130-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, it displays the MP3's front-end appearance, including immense, round foglamps. Alloy wheels hold P195/50R16 tires, and the Protegé5's chassis is specially tuned to yield more responsive handling than a regular Protegé—which isn't bad either. Sinuously shapely in physique, the five-passenger, five-door hatchback comes in a choice of youth-oriented colors.

Dimensions and powertrain details are similar to the regular Protegé sedan. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a four-speed automatic optional. On the safety front, side-impact airbags antilock brakes are optional.

From the front, the Protegé5 shares sheetmetal and styling with its four-door sedan sibling. Especially when painted in such exuberant shades as Vivid Yellow, the Protegé5 is an extra-friendly "fun" car, taking full advantage of Mazda's propensity toward sporty behavior. Handling is its principal benefit, promising well-controlled road reactions—a Mazda hallmark. Enthusiastic drivers can expect spirited response, sporty steering "feel," easy maneuverability, and sure-footed movement through curves. Quick steering, which requires a little effort, also enhances its sporty nature.