from http://www.virtualroadtest.com/2002/MazdaProtege5/mazdaprotege5.htm
Summary
Handsome interior and an excellent driving environment
Modestly priced for its performance and quality
Fine handling, somewhat taut highway ride
Needs more power
A cool alternative to high-priced EuroWagons
Other Choices
Ford Focus wagon
Suzuki Esteem wagon
Volvo V40t
VW Passat
VW Jetta wagon
Prime Numbers
Body style: 4-door wagon
Drivetrain: Front engine, front drive, std. 5-speed manual, opt. 4-speed automatic
Airbags (std): Front
Base curb weight, lb: 2,488
Base engine: 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 130 hp
Brakes, f/r: disc/disc, ABS opt.
Price range: $16,335-$18,315
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 25/31
Basic warranty, years/miles: 3/50,000
Price as tested: $18,315
2002 Mazda Protege5 Sport Wagon
A cool alternative to high-priced EuroWagons
by Mark Ewing
Mazda has its fair share of troubles these days, with soft sales and an uncomfortable marriage to Ford. But over the past few years, Mazda engineers in Hiroshima have done a fine job endowing all Mazdas with the same kind of sporting balance and flair found in the company's icon car, the Miata.
Sport wagons have recently become the chic transport of the well-heeled, with Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Saab, Volvo, and VW each now offering beautifully built, highly practical wagons that possess fine handling and performance. Not everyone can foot the bill for a Saab 9-5 Aero wagon, so Mazda has stepped in with the Proteg5. This sport wagon concept was first tried on the home-market version of the Proteg (known in Japan as the Familia), and the resulting Familia S Wagon quickly became one of Mazda's best selling cars. The Proteg5's suspension is similar to the US-market's Proteg ES', meaning handling is excellent; it also shares the ES' 2.0-liter engine.
Sporting style aside, practical, fuel-efficient transportation for a wide variety of potential customers is the Proteg5's main purpose, and it delivers just that at a reasonable price. The extra dash of performance lends character and added value.
The Powertrain
For the Proteg5, Mazda has borrowed suspension and engine packages from the Proteg ES, which in turn borrows its 130 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder from Mazda's midsize 626 sedan. A far less interesting 1.6-liter engine powers other Protegs. The added power and flexibility of the larger and more robust 626 engine give the Proteg5 a more relaxed, refined nature, and just barely enough power to bring the suspension to life when driving quickly.
At 65 or 70 mph, the Proteg5's engine is fairly quiet. Though it revs quickly to its 6500-rpm redline, it also has an old-fashioned growl and bark above 5000 rpm, not the high-flying revs and modern manners of a Honda spinning effortlessly to 7,500 rpm or more. Highway passing requires shifting from fifth to four and a hard stab at the throttle. The Proteg5 moves away smartly from stoplights, clutch engagement being smooth and easily controlled.
Proteg5's standard five-speed manual transmission has well-chosen ratios that compliment this engine's strengths. The shift action is accurate, with only a slight trace of gumminess. A four-speed automatic is optional, but diminishes the Proteg5's sporting intentions.
Torque steer-meaning the steering wheel jumping around under hard acceleration-is only evident under a few conditions in first gear, and the movement of the steering wheel is so slight as to be hardly noticeable for most drivers.
Styling & Design
Body build quality and finish on the Proteg5 is fairly high, and only well trained critics will perceive flaws-none of which are significant. The lower body panels are unique, as are its very cool taillights; combined with aggressive wheels and tires, the Proteg5's appearance speaks to athletic ability. A roof rack adds to practicality, and a whip aerial and rear roof diffuser are hints that this Mazda is a hip alternative to more expensive EuroWagons. Though "Vivid Yellow" is Mazda's corporate signature color, the Protege5 comes in more restrained colors that are worth a look. As with the Miata, we expect the Proteg5 will be offered in a variety of very distinctive and beautiful shades during its production run.
The Interior
Entirely conventional, uncluttered, and very well executed best sum up the Proteg5's interior. Nothing revolutionary here; just logical, attractive design.
Materials' quality for this class of car is high, every bit the equal of a Honda or Toyota. Assembly is also excellent, as this car is built in Hiroshima, not at Mazda's US plant. Though quality at auto plants worldwide has risen in the past two decades as a response to the Japanese method of manufacturing, not even the Germans can deliver the level of quality that comes out of Japan; Japanese workers are a quality engineer's dream, being careful, constant, bright, compliant with all rules and instructions, and highly motivated. The Proteg5 is tight as a drum.
Primary gauges are big black-on-parchment dials that draw kudos for simplicity and clarity. At night they reverse, with orange light seeping out onto black faces, which works surprisingly well. Switchgear is logically placed and clearly labeled.
The front seats have excellent lateral bolstering, hugging both ribs and hips, which is perfect for aggressive driving on twisty roads. They also provide adequate under-thigh support. The front seats remain comfortable on long drives, yet are also well suited to commuting and around-town duties. The black cloth breathes well, and adds to the seats' grip. The driver's seat has two manual dials for adjusting the height and rake of the seat bottom. Our test car featured optional front seat side-impact airbags, which come as a package with ABS braking.
Front passengers well over six feet tall will find ample foot, leg, shoulder and head room, even with the optional sunroof installed. Even with a tall driver and front passenger, equally tall rear-seat passengers will have foot and leg room enough for drives lasting an hour or so. Rear passengers will also have excellent head room. If all four passengers are adults of average height, rear passengers will be comfortable for drives of several hours.
The luggage area is big enough to accommodate a couple's luggage for a weekend, or for a young family. Lift-over height is reasonable for loading heavy bags.
Ride & Handling
Using suspension tuning comparable to the Proteg ES, the Proteg5 has a suspension compromised ever so slightly toward agility rather than plushness. The ride is taut and lively, and over rough highways can get busy, with low-frequency rumble and noise working its way through the car. It is appreciably tauter and harsher than a Civic or Toyota Corolla. On smoother roads, the Proteg5's ride is calm, but those seeking a small car with a wallowy big-car ride should shop elsewhere.
Pressed hard, the Proteg5 performs remarkably well for what amounts to a dressed up compact wagon. Like other Mazdas, its cornering posture is flat and assured, and only someone truly incompetent could get in trouble driving quickly over a mountain road. The sporting driver will enjoy throwing the Proteg5 into corners a little too fast, then flicking the wheel to keep everything moving forward smoothly. The Proteg5 does not have the same ultra-sharp reflexes of the Proteg MP3, but it is an amusing car nonetheless.
Steering is nicely weighted and predictable, garnering nothing but praise. Brake feel and action are also good. We highly recommend opting for the safety package, which includes ABS and side-impact airbags.
Personality
A practical and reasonably priced sport wagon that will deliver excellent service for years, the Proteg5 stands out for its fine build quality and interior materials, and its value for money.
Beyond basic transportation duties, the Proteg5 holds appeal to those who appreciate a car that doesn't trip over its own feet when moving quickly down a curving road. Mazda has worked hard to ensure all its products have the same fine handling as the Miata sports car. Only the more aggressively tuned Proteg MP3 can deliver sharper handling for such a friendly price. Few other Japanese compacts can compare with the Protege5's abilities. Only the Ford Focus ZX3 and VW GTI are as good or better.
The Proteg5 can serve those who need a reasonably priced wagon as well as those who desire a practical commuter that can entertain on a twisty road.
Final Words
The Proteg5's primary mission is economical transportation. Its edge over major competitors like the Civic, Corolla, and Nissan Sentra is the practicality of a wagon body. Beyond its attractive price and high build quality, the Proteg5 distinguishes itself with a finely tuned suspension that will please drivers who like to move quickly on winding roads. If the practicality of a sport wagon is needed but the sensations of a sports car are desired, the Proteg5 delivers.
Summary
Handsome interior and an excellent driving environment
Modestly priced for its performance and quality
Fine handling, somewhat taut highway ride
Needs more power
A cool alternative to high-priced EuroWagons
Other Choices
Ford Focus wagon
Suzuki Esteem wagon
Volvo V40t
VW Passat
VW Jetta wagon
Prime Numbers
Body style: 4-door wagon
Drivetrain: Front engine, front drive, std. 5-speed manual, opt. 4-speed automatic
Airbags (std): Front
Base curb weight, lb: 2,488
Base engine: 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 130 hp
Brakes, f/r: disc/disc, ABS opt.
Price range: $16,335-$18,315
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 25/31
Basic warranty, years/miles: 3/50,000
Price as tested: $18,315
2002 Mazda Protege5 Sport Wagon
A cool alternative to high-priced EuroWagons
by Mark Ewing
Mazda has its fair share of troubles these days, with soft sales and an uncomfortable marriage to Ford. But over the past few years, Mazda engineers in Hiroshima have done a fine job endowing all Mazdas with the same kind of sporting balance and flair found in the company's icon car, the Miata.
Sport wagons have recently become the chic transport of the well-heeled, with Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Saab, Volvo, and VW each now offering beautifully built, highly practical wagons that possess fine handling and performance. Not everyone can foot the bill for a Saab 9-5 Aero wagon, so Mazda has stepped in with the Proteg5. This sport wagon concept was first tried on the home-market version of the Proteg (known in Japan as the Familia), and the resulting Familia S Wagon quickly became one of Mazda's best selling cars. The Proteg5's suspension is similar to the US-market's Proteg ES', meaning handling is excellent; it also shares the ES' 2.0-liter engine.
Sporting style aside, practical, fuel-efficient transportation for a wide variety of potential customers is the Proteg5's main purpose, and it delivers just that at a reasonable price. The extra dash of performance lends character and added value.
The Powertrain
For the Proteg5, Mazda has borrowed suspension and engine packages from the Proteg ES, which in turn borrows its 130 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder from Mazda's midsize 626 sedan. A far less interesting 1.6-liter engine powers other Protegs. The added power and flexibility of the larger and more robust 626 engine give the Proteg5 a more relaxed, refined nature, and just barely enough power to bring the suspension to life when driving quickly.
At 65 or 70 mph, the Proteg5's engine is fairly quiet. Though it revs quickly to its 6500-rpm redline, it also has an old-fashioned growl and bark above 5000 rpm, not the high-flying revs and modern manners of a Honda spinning effortlessly to 7,500 rpm or more. Highway passing requires shifting from fifth to four and a hard stab at the throttle. The Proteg5 moves away smartly from stoplights, clutch engagement being smooth and easily controlled.
Proteg5's standard five-speed manual transmission has well-chosen ratios that compliment this engine's strengths. The shift action is accurate, with only a slight trace of gumminess. A four-speed automatic is optional, but diminishes the Proteg5's sporting intentions.
Torque steer-meaning the steering wheel jumping around under hard acceleration-is only evident under a few conditions in first gear, and the movement of the steering wheel is so slight as to be hardly noticeable for most drivers.
Styling & Design
Body build quality and finish on the Proteg5 is fairly high, and only well trained critics will perceive flaws-none of which are significant. The lower body panels are unique, as are its very cool taillights; combined with aggressive wheels and tires, the Proteg5's appearance speaks to athletic ability. A roof rack adds to practicality, and a whip aerial and rear roof diffuser are hints that this Mazda is a hip alternative to more expensive EuroWagons. Though "Vivid Yellow" is Mazda's corporate signature color, the Protege5 comes in more restrained colors that are worth a look. As with the Miata, we expect the Proteg5 will be offered in a variety of very distinctive and beautiful shades during its production run.
The Interior
Entirely conventional, uncluttered, and very well executed best sum up the Proteg5's interior. Nothing revolutionary here; just logical, attractive design.
Materials' quality for this class of car is high, every bit the equal of a Honda or Toyota. Assembly is also excellent, as this car is built in Hiroshima, not at Mazda's US plant. Though quality at auto plants worldwide has risen in the past two decades as a response to the Japanese method of manufacturing, not even the Germans can deliver the level of quality that comes out of Japan; Japanese workers are a quality engineer's dream, being careful, constant, bright, compliant with all rules and instructions, and highly motivated. The Proteg5 is tight as a drum.
Primary gauges are big black-on-parchment dials that draw kudos for simplicity and clarity. At night they reverse, with orange light seeping out onto black faces, which works surprisingly well. Switchgear is logically placed and clearly labeled.
The front seats have excellent lateral bolstering, hugging both ribs and hips, which is perfect for aggressive driving on twisty roads. They also provide adequate under-thigh support. The front seats remain comfortable on long drives, yet are also well suited to commuting and around-town duties. The black cloth breathes well, and adds to the seats' grip. The driver's seat has two manual dials for adjusting the height and rake of the seat bottom. Our test car featured optional front seat side-impact airbags, which come as a package with ABS braking.
Front passengers well over six feet tall will find ample foot, leg, shoulder and head room, even with the optional sunroof installed. Even with a tall driver and front passenger, equally tall rear-seat passengers will have foot and leg room enough for drives lasting an hour or so. Rear passengers will also have excellent head room. If all four passengers are adults of average height, rear passengers will be comfortable for drives of several hours.
The luggage area is big enough to accommodate a couple's luggage for a weekend, or for a young family. Lift-over height is reasonable for loading heavy bags.
Ride & Handling
Using suspension tuning comparable to the Proteg ES, the Proteg5 has a suspension compromised ever so slightly toward agility rather than plushness. The ride is taut and lively, and over rough highways can get busy, with low-frequency rumble and noise working its way through the car. It is appreciably tauter and harsher than a Civic or Toyota Corolla. On smoother roads, the Proteg5's ride is calm, but those seeking a small car with a wallowy big-car ride should shop elsewhere.
Pressed hard, the Proteg5 performs remarkably well for what amounts to a dressed up compact wagon. Like other Mazdas, its cornering posture is flat and assured, and only someone truly incompetent could get in trouble driving quickly over a mountain road. The sporting driver will enjoy throwing the Proteg5 into corners a little too fast, then flicking the wheel to keep everything moving forward smoothly. The Proteg5 does not have the same ultra-sharp reflexes of the Proteg MP3, but it is an amusing car nonetheless.
Steering is nicely weighted and predictable, garnering nothing but praise. Brake feel and action are also good. We highly recommend opting for the safety package, which includes ABS and side-impact airbags.
Personality
A practical and reasonably priced sport wagon that will deliver excellent service for years, the Proteg5 stands out for its fine build quality and interior materials, and its value for money.
Beyond basic transportation duties, the Proteg5 holds appeal to those who appreciate a car that doesn't trip over its own feet when moving quickly down a curving road. Mazda has worked hard to ensure all its products have the same fine handling as the Miata sports car. Only the more aggressively tuned Proteg MP3 can deliver sharper handling for such a friendly price. Few other Japanese compacts can compare with the Protege5's abilities. Only the Ford Focus ZX3 and VW GTI are as good or better.
The Proteg5 can serve those who need a reasonably priced wagon as well as those who desire a practical commuter that can entertain on a twisty road.
Final Words
The Proteg5's primary mission is economical transportation. Its edge over major competitors like the Civic, Corolla, and Nissan Sentra is the practicality of a wagon body. Beyond its attractive price and high build quality, the Proteg5 distinguishes itself with a finely tuned suspension that will please drivers who like to move quickly on winding roads. If the practicality of a sport wagon is needed but the sensations of a sports car are desired, the Proteg5 delivers.
