![]() The radio moved to the top of the dashboard in 1997. Small buttons require a long look away from the road to make any adjustments. Until the 1997 model year, however, the radio sat too low. The dashboard is well laid out, with clear gauges and stalk-mounted light and wiper controls. Both engines should return above-average fuel economy. Highway passing and merging are notably easier, however. Surprisingly, the 1.8-liter engine in the ES doesn’t seem that much stronger, despite its 30-horsepower advantage. With a full load, the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder might be short on strength. The 1.5-liter engine in DX and LX models delivers adequate acceleration with a manual transmission, though it’s sluggish with automatic. You get a good-sized trunk and an average-sized glovebox. However, rear doors are narrow at the bottom, making it awkward to climb in and out. ![]() Space inside is ample for four adults, with abundant front head and rear leg room. The 14-inch ES tires have noticeably better cornering grip. Bumps are easily absorbed, though they often produce a loud “thump.” Hard cornering brings lots of body lean, and the narrow 13-inch tires on DX and LX models start squealing early. Mazda obviously tuned the Protege’s suspension more toward ride comfort than handling finesse, though steering response is good and the car reacts well in urban driving. The Editors of Consumer Guide are regular contributors to the following programs:.The redesigned Protege has the same sort of jelly-bean styling that seems to characterize almost everything coming out of Japan these days. Although it's certainly a lot more handsome than before, it's still sort of generic. The 1995 model, however, looks as if it was sculpted in the wind tunnel. Car Shopping From Home: Carvana vs Vroom vs CarMax The old Protege was a stodgy looking sedan. ![]()
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