Mazda MAZDASPEED Protege vs Mazda MX-5 Miata

2003 Mazda MAZDASPEED Protege
2003 Mazda MAZDASPEED Protege
$20,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
$28,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2003 Mazda MAZDASPEED Protege
$20,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
$28,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$20,500

MSRP

$28,050

Average price

Average price

$20,353

Listings

2

Listings

2766
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10
Pros
  • Street-legal go-kart
  • Top-down driving joy
  • Perfect instrumentation
Cons
  • Interior is a snug fit
  • Not much cargo space
  • Potentially unsafe in a crash

Reviews Summary

Reviews Summary

Mazda’s legendary two-seat, rear-drive roadster isn’t the most powerful or the fastest sports car you can buy, and it won’t elicit envy as a luxury-brand convertible can. But some people will longingly stare as you drive by with the top down, music on, and hair tousled by the breeze, wishing they could get a Mazda-badged reality escape pod of their own. We say go for it, new or used, from any of the four generations of MX-5s. But the 2022-2023 versions are the best.
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 170 hp I4

Engine

2.0L 181 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

RWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

2

Horsepower

170 hp @ 6000 rpm

Horsepower

181 hp @ 7000 rpm

MPG City

22

MPG City

26

MPG Highway

28

MPG Highway

34
2003 Mazda MAZDASPEED Protege
2003 Mazda MAZDASPEED Protege
$20,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
$28,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2003 Mazda MAZDASPEED Protege
$20,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
$28,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$20,500
$28,050
Average price
$20,353
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.3
4.7
Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Street-legal go-kart
  • Top-down driving joy
  • Perfect instrumentation
Cons
  • Interior is a snug fit
  • Not much cargo space
  • Potentially unsafe in a crash
Summary
Mazda’s legendary two-seat, rear-drive roadster isn’t the most powerful or the fastest sports car you can buy, and it won’t elicit envy as a luxury-brand convertible can. But some people will longingly stare as you drive by with the top down, music on, and hair tousled by the breeze, wishing they could get a Mazda-badged reality escape pod of their own. We say go for it, new or used, from any of the four generations of MX-5s. But the 2022-2023 versions are the best.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
2.0L 170 hp I4
2.0L 181 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
RWD
Seating Capacity
5
2
Horsepower
170 hp @ 6000 rpm
181 hp @ 7000 rpm
MPG City
22
26
MPG Highway
28
34
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By: CarGurus + AI

This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.