Mazda MAZDA3 vs Mazda Protege Compare price, expert/user reviews, mpg, engines, safety, cargo capacity and other specs at a glance.

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2020 Mazda MAZDA3 Hatchback AWD
Photo of 2019 model year shown

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2003 Mazda Protege DX

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User Ranking Drivers and owners ranked these cars in 9 categories.

11
Best Hatchbacks
View all
Based on 27 rankings.
Best Hatchbacks
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New Car Pricing New listing price comparison and analysis.

2020 Mazda MAZDA3
Hatchback AWD
MSRP
$25,100
Invoice
$24,004
Average Price Paid
$23,510
333 listings nationwide

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2003 Mazda Protege
DX
No Data Available
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2020 Mazda MAZDA3
Hatchback AWD
No Data Available
2003 Mazda Protege
DX
No Data Available

Used Car Pricing Used listing price comparison and analysis.

2020 Mazda MAZDA3
Hatchback AWD
CarGurus Instant Market Value
$25,256

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2003 Mazda Protege
DX
CarGurus Instant Market Value
$14,200
8 listings nationwide

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Expert Reviews Reviews from CarGurus experts.

2020 Mazda MAZDA3
Hatchback AWD
Cherise Threewitt Preview:

The Mazda3, redesigned just last year, is one of the most elegant compact cars on the market, and unlike many others, it’s a lot of fun to drive. For 2020, the Mazda3, available in sed...

Read full review »
2003 Mazda Protege
DX
No Expert Reviews

User Reviews Reviews from CarGurus users who have driven or owned the car.

2020 Mazda MAZDA3
Hatchback AWD
30
wgreen_cg writes:
Nice, affordable car.
Full review »
2003 Mazda Protege
DX
25
Jawn writes:
First vehicle bought and owned personally. Excellent entry level car. Paid under 14k new off the lot. Got exce...
Cargo Capacity Ranked 2009 Jeep Liberty Limited 4WD better.
"Easily fits at least 3 times as much more cargo than the protege."
Would Buy Ranked 2009 Jeep Liberty Limited 4WD better.
"Its a highly capable excellent quality smaller SUV from a well respected manufacturer. Well worth the money."
Full review »
205
Todd 2003 Mazda Protege DXReview:

Good Little Cars, If You Check It Over Well It Should Be Reliable. — Really reliable little cars, if well taken care of. Relatively inexpensive for parts. The performanc...

Primary Use: Family transportation

Full review »
25
Dane 2003 Mazda Protege DXReview:

Fool's Gold — it's freaking gold.

Full review »
Read all 3 user reviews »

Specs

2020 Mazda MAZDA3
Hatchback AWD
2003 Mazda Protege
DX
Powertrain 6-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
FWD
Fuel Economy, City
24 MPG
22 MPG
22 MPG
Fuel Economy, Highway
32 MPG
28 MPG
28 MPG
Fuel Tank Volume 12.7 gal 14 gal
Engine
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Power
186 hp @ 6,000 RPM
130 hp @ 6,000 RPM
130 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque
186 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
135 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
135 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
Cylinders
4 cylinders
4 cylinders
4 cylinders
Compression Ratio
13:1
9.1:1
9.1:1
Displacement
2,500 cc
2,000 cc
2,000 cc
Bore x Stroke
3.5 in x 3.94 in
3.26 in x 3.62 in
3.26 in x 3.62 in
Safety
ABS Brakes Standard --
Driver Airbag Standard Standard
Passenger Airbag Standard Standard
Front Side Airbags Standard Optional
Curtain Airbags Standard --
NHTSA Crash Test Results
Front Driver -- 5 stars
Front Passenger -- 4 stars
Side Driver -- 3 stars
Side Rear Passenger -- 4 stars
Rollover (pre-2011) -- 4 stars
Comfort and Convenience
Sunroof/Moonroof -- Optional
Air Conditioning Standard Optional
CD Player -- Standard
CD Changer -- Optional
Cassette Player -- Optional
Radio Standard Standard
Power Windows Standard --
Power Door Locks Standard --
Passenger Power Seats -- Optional
Interior
Maximum Seating 5 seats 5 seats
Front Legroom 42.3 in 42.2 in
Back Legroom 35.1 in 35.4 in
Payload and Towing
Cargo Volume 20.1 cu ft 12.9 cu ft
Maximum Payload 967 lbs --
Exterior
Length 175.6 in 175.3 in
Width 70.7 in 67.1 in
Height 56.7 in 55.5 in
Wheelbase 107.3 in 102.8 in

Available Options

2020 Mazda MAZDA3
Hatchback AWD

Exterior Colors

  • Deep Crystal Blue Mica
  • Jet Black Mica
  • Machine Gray Metallic
  • Snowflake White Pearl Mica
  • Soul Red Crystal Metallic

Option Packages

  • Appearance Package
  • Soul Red Metallic Paint Charge
2003 Mazda Protege
DX

Related Comparisons

2003 Mazda Protege
DX