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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2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.0 Sedan FWD

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2003 Mazda Protege DX

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New Car Pricing New listing price comparison and analysis.

2021 Mazda MAZDA3
2.0 Sedan FWD
MSRP
$20,650
Invoice
$19,751
Average Price Paid
$19,225
186 listings nationwide

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2003 Mazda Protege
DX
No Data Available
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2021 Mazda MAZDA3
2.0 Sedan FWD
No Data Available
2003 Mazda Protege
DX
No Data Available

Used Car Pricing Used listing price comparison and analysis.

2021 Mazda MAZDA3
2.0 Sedan FWD
CarGurus Instant Market Value
$20,480
7 listings nationwide

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2003 Mazda Protege
DX
CarGurus Instant Market Value
$4,994
3 listings nationwide

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Expert Reviews Reviews from CarGurus experts.

2021 Mazda MAZDA3
2.0 Sedan FWD
Matt Smith Test Drive Review:

Mazdas are fun. All of them. Even the SUVs. But until recently, they weren’t particularly fast. The joy in driving a Mazda derived from the expertly tuned ride and handling qualities t...

Read full review »
2003 Mazda Protege
DX
No Expert Reviews
No Data Available
  • Look and Feel 10
  • Performance 9
  • Form & Function 6
  • Technology 5
  • Safety 10
  • Cost-Effectiveness 10
  • Read full review »
No Data Available

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

2021 Mazda MAZDA3
2.0 Sedan FWD
gregory writes:
Power Ranked 2006 Ford Mustang GT Premium RWD better.
"More horses under the hood"
Handling Ranked 2006 Ford Mustang GT Premium RWD better.
"Its a mustang it just handles better"
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

2021 Mazda MAZDA3
2.0 Sedan FWD
2003 Mazda Protege
DX
Powertrain 6-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
FWD
Fuel Economy, City
28 MPG
22 MPG
22 MPG
Fuel Economy, Highway
36 MPG
28 MPG
28 MPG
Fuel Tank Volume 13.2 gal 14 gal
Engine
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Power
--
130 hp @ 6,000 RPM
130 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque
--
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
2,000 cc
2,000 cc
2,000 cc
Bore x Stroke
3.28 in x 3.59 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
Overall 5 stars --
Front Crash Overall 5 stars --
Front Crash Driver 5 stars --
Front Crash Passenger 5 stars --
Side Crash Overall 5 stars --
Side Barrier Driver 5 stars --
Side Barrier Passenger 5 stars --
Side Pole Driver 5 stars --
Rollover 5 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 13.2 cu ft 12.9 cu ft
Exterior
Length 183.5 in 175.3 in
Width 70.7 in 67.1 in
Height 56.9 in 55.5 in
Wheelbase 107.3 in 102.8 in

Available Options

2021 Mazda MAZDA3
2.0 Sedan FWD

Exterior Colors

  • Jet Black Mica
  • Sonic Silver Metallic
2003 Mazda Protege
DX

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