2003
Mazda Protege

Starts at:
$13,580
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New 2003 Mazda Protege
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Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn DX Manual
    Starts at
    $13,580
    25 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn DX Auto
    Starts at
    $13,580
    25 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn LX Manual
    Starts at
    $15,315
    25 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn LX Auto
    Starts at
    $15,315
    25 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn ES Auto
    Starts at
    $16,040
    25 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn ES Manual
    Starts at
    $16,040
    25 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege 2003 Mazda Protege

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Safety review

Based on the 2003 Mazda Protege base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
5/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Nhtsa rollover rating
4/5
Side driver
3/5
Side rear passenger
4/5

Factory warranties

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years / 50,000 miles

Consumer reviews

93% of drivers recommend this car
4.5 / 5
Based on 31 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.2
Interior 4.1
Performance 4.4
Value 4.6
Exterior 4.3
Reliability 4.4

Most recent

  • By Caveman from Ramsey, Minnesota
    Owns this car
    February 15, 2023

    Purchased used 18 years old for son

    18 year old ES model with 77,000 miles from original owner. Car was very clean and very well maintained. Son has driven it daily for 1 year with no issues. Runs fantastic for its age and price. Did need to replace the tires due to their age. Wish I could find more cars like this one for my other kids. A very well built car!!!!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Benito Colima from Vancouver, British Columbia
    Owns this car
    August 6, 2022

    Love my Protege

    I bought a second-hand Protege from the dealer in 2004. It was a 2003 model, leased by a company for short drives around the city, then returned for resale a year later. It had about 12,000 kms on it and was exactly the colour I was hoping for (sand/champagne). I loved it. It's 18 years later and I still love it. My car's in excellent condition, with low mileage (less than 100,000 kms) and no rust, thanks to walking to work and parking underground all these years. Virtually every time I take it in for servicing, the mechanic asks if I'm interested in selling it. My latest mechanic said he's on his fourth Protege and doesn't care that they have none of today's bells and whistles. It's just a really good little car. In my experience, there are a few drawbacks to the interior. One is that you can't readily reach the passenger-side, outer-mirror adjustment knob. It's on the passenger's door, so you have to adjust, sit back and check, adjust, sit back and check. Of course, that's only a pain if you have multiple drivers. The other thing I dislike is the low seating. It's a sport suspension so you "feel" the road, which is all the more reason I'd prefer to have higher, better-padded seats. I bought seat covers and have a cushion under both front seat covers. Allows us to sit higher in the vehicle and to feel less of the road. My previous vehicles were all Fords so I was used to navigating using the crease down the hood. With my Protege, there is no crease so that took some getting used to. Of course, I'm perfectly comfortable navigating now. I know exactly where the car is on the road or in a tight parking spot. Over all, it's been a great car and I'll miss it when the time comes to change. I admit that I wish it had the built-in GPS, back-up camera, USB port, etc. of new vehicles but I've been using models that plug into the cigarette lighter for many years and they work perfectly fine. If you can find a Protege that's been taken care of, I recommend buying it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By HondaFan from Ottawa, ON. Canada
    Owns this car
    May 30, 2020

    I am first owner. Still driving, Unbelivable!

    This car can go for another 5 more years, very reliable. I hope Mazda will sell protégé again. I paid $20,000 (new car) in year 2003, almost fully loaded, so far, only changed alternator, oil pan, oxygen sensor, and regular maintenance, almost everything is original parts. the mileage is almost 30,000km, no burning oil.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    10 people out of 10 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Doc_Holladay from St. Louis
    Used to own this car
    March 11, 2020

    An Old Friend

    My family bought a 2003 Protege in 2014 with over 200,000 miles on it. It was not necessarily my car, but I drove it whenever I had the chance. It was a fun car to drive with the manual transmission and handled like a dream. Of course, the exterior wasn't flashy nor did support a racy-type look to the body, but it was a car I loved to drive. It took corners great, had a little zip in the acceleration, and handled well in the rain. We had the car for around four years and put another 80,000 miles on it before it broke down and was not reasonably repairable. Me and my younger brother drove it about It about 70 miles a day to and back from community college Monday through Friday. My brother drove it on the weekends to and from work as well. It didn't have a major breakdown once between that time. We had to replace the battery once, but that's just regular maintenance. Reliable beyond comprehension. But when the car decided it was time to retire, it did so pretty much in a week. But it was a good long haul before it decided to retire. Now I am thinking about getting another car and was hoping Mazda continued the line of Protege's, but unfortunately, it appears they have not. Once I realized they stopped the Protege production, it was like I was missing an old friend whom I haven't talked to in a while.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Zoom zoom from Buffalo new york
    Owns this car
    September 25, 2019

    Easy to fix and fun to drive

    This car is perfect in every way. Simple design, easy to fix, very reliable, and great fuel economy. Only downside is the fact that parts may take a few days to be obtained.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Mkar117 from Middleburg PA
    Owns this car
    December 16, 2017

    Mazda

    This was a great car. We were looking for a reliable car for our son before he heads out to college.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By PF from Montana
    Owns this car
    September 18, 2017

    Great car held hostage by design

    I like this car immensely. It has a large fuel tank and will traverse large areas of Montana without any fuel stops. It is "Zoom-Zoom" as advertised. What they do not tell you: 1. The alternator and starter are buried on the firewall side of the engine and are difficult to access. 2. The key and ignition is an overly designed nightmare, and it will require service and repair after you cannot remove the key, or engage the starter. 3. The A/C evaporator coil develops leaks inside the heater box, and that is a very expensive and time consuming repair. 4. Disable the entire airbag system, and buckle up.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Jams11 from Raleigh, NC
    Owns this car
    June 20, 2017

    Value for the price

    This car is a very good value for the price. They run well and are very dependable and reliable. Just enough frills, but not too many, very low cost to maintain and own. Great gas mileage. Car is tidy and sleek - good for a new driver/college kid, or someone who appreciates low cost ownership.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By HeyM
    Owns this car
    June 16, 2017

    I paid $2,000 for this car and it's the best!!

    This car is the most reliable car I know. I only paid $2,000 for this car and I still run smooth. Regular oil change and maintenance are important but this car doesn't require much. Sadly, I believe the Mazda protege 2003 was the last model they made. Right now, my car has over 160,000 miles and it's still going strong and I know it will last a longer. I will definitely get another Mazda!!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Tiffy from China Grove, NC
    Owns this car
    January 5, 2015

    Best car I have ever owned

    I bought my Mazda Protege new in 2003. I have about 96,000 miles on my car. I have had very few problems with my car. Had a belt replaced once and everything else has been your typical maintenance. I love the way it handles, it turns on a dime. On Christmas Eve day I was on my way to work and someone ran a red light and hit the drivers front side. I have no idea at this point if the insurance company is going to have the damage fixed or if they will have it totaled. It will be so sad for me if it it totaled as with such low mileage and just had new tires put on this past summer I will never find anything even close to what I have in this little car. I can say one thing, if I have to start looking for a car I think I might start with the Mazda 3.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By 16vPete from Chicago, IL
    Owns this car
    May 20, 2014

    Great, Cheap Fun!

    My 2003 ES currently has around 121,000 on it. I bought it used from a dealer in 2009 with 80,000. It's a great little car! A little slow by today's standards, but the engine likes to rev and has adequate power for the highway and scooting around in the city. You're not going to get into much trouble due to the lack of power, but I suppose that can be considered a good thing. The ES has excellent stock suspension. I've autocross'd mine on stock tires and have put down some respectable times for a bone-stock car (auto too!). The steering in communicative and handling is sharp! Mazda usually always gets this right, which is why it's my favorite car company. They know how to keep cars affordable and fun. I'm still surprised when I attack an off ramp at a pretty high speed and the thing just sticks (again on stock all season tires). I've made plenty of high speed turns without much trouble in regards to understeer, this is where the independent rear suspension and slightly better shock valving shines. The auto sportshift is... nothing special. It's great because you can rev the nuts out of it and hold 2nd gear in autocross, however it shifts really slowly and the ratios are pretty wack (probably for better fuel economy). Still, it can be a little fun from time to time. The body is pretty weak up against Midwestern, salted roads. If you read online forums there are lots of tips out there in regards to preventing rust, FOLLOW THEM (I didn't think I had to since mine was clean, however the rust got pretty bad after just one Winter - huge mistake). My engine and trans are in perfect condition for their age, no leaks, weird noises, or oil burning. The suspension though needs to be looked after. Bushings, the independent rear suspension bits, shock mounts, wheel bearings, etc. wear out a tad faster than say a Honda. Though, their all cheap to replace. Make sure to replace the timing belt sometime around 90,000 miles. I'm not quite sure what the recommended mileage is, but its sometime around then. I played with fire by replacing mine around 115,000, definitely a dumb move because its QUITE expensive if it breaks and destroys the valvetrain in a 16v head. The interior is nice. I'm 6'3 and right at the limit of headroom in an upright driving position, though plenty of leg room. The seats are decent, though my back gets a little sore on roadtrips. All in all a great car. I really wish I had held out for a manual in good condition though, I'd be a lot more apt to tuning the suspension (shocks, springs, rear sway bar) and doing some mild power mods (header, intake, exhaust and protege MP3 ECU). In fact, I've been keeping an eye out for a cleaner, lower-mileage, 5-speed replacement =)
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By mitch from Columbus, Ohio
    Owns this car
    December 8, 2013

    Very Reliable

    I bought my Protege with 13,000 miles back in 2004. I now have 145,000 and have had with no major issues. The only reason I'm looking now is rust has developed on the driver side rear quarter due to the salt up hear in Ohio. Had I washed it more than two or three times since purchasing it that might not even be a problem. I've been test driving a lot of new cars lately and I still prefer the handling of my Mazda.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2003 Mazda Protege?

The 2003 Mazda Protege is available in 3 trim levels:

  • DX (2 styles)
  • ES (2 styles)
  • LX (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2003 Mazda Protege?

The 2003 Mazda Protege offers up to 25 MPG in city driving and 31 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2003 Mazda Protege reliable?

The 2003 Mazda Protege has an average reliability rating of 4.4 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2003 Mazda Protege owners.

Is the 2003 Mazda Protege a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2003 Mazda Protege. 93.5% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.5 / 5
Based on 31 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.2
  • Interior: 4.1
  • Performance: 4.4
  • Value: 4.6
  • Exterior: 4.3
  • Reliability: 4.4
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