Mazda Protege vs Mazda CX-3 Compare price, expert/user reviews, mpg, engines, safety, cargo capacity and other specs at a glance.

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2003 Mazda Protege DX

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2021 Mazda CX-3 Sport AWD

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

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#7
Best 2021 Small SUVs
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Based on 14 rankings.

Used Car Pricing Used listing price comparison and analysis.

2003 Mazda Protege
DX
CarGurus Instant Market Value
$14,200
1 vehicle

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2021 Mazda CX-3
Sport AWD
CarGurus Instant Market Value
$25,210
10 listings nationwide

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Expert Reviews Reviews from CarGurus experts.

2003 Mazda Protege
DX
No Expert Reviews
2021 Mazda CX-3
Sport AWD
Stephen Edelstein Preview:

The Mazda CX-3, a subcompact crossover, was introduced for the 2016 model year and refreshed for 2019. It carries over pretty much unchanged for 2021—with the exception of one new stan...

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

2003 Mazda Protege
DX
35
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 »
215
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 »
2021 Mazda CX-3
Sport AWD
No User Reviews

Specs

2003 Mazda Protege
DX
2021 Mazda CX-3
Sport AWD
Powertrain 6-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
AWD
Fuel Economy, City
22 MPG
22 MPG
27 MPG
Fuel Economy, Highway
28 MPG
28 MPG
32 MPG
Fuel Tank Volume 14 gal 11.9 gal
Engine
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Power
130 hp @ 6,000 RPM
130 hp @ 6,000 RPM
148 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque
135 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
135 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
146 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM
Cylinders
4 cylinders
4 cylinders
4 cylinders
Compression Ratio
9.1:1
9.1:1
13:1
Displacement
2,000 cc
2,000 cc
2,000 cc
Bore x Stroke
3.26 in x 3.62 in
3.26 in x 3.62 in
3.29 in x 3.59 in
Safety
ABS Brakes -- Standard
Driver Airbag Standard Standard
Passenger Airbag Standard Standard
Front Side Airbags Optional Standard
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 Optional Standard
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 42.2 in 41.7 in
Back Legroom 35.4 in 35 in
Payload and Towing
Cargo Volume 12.9 cu ft 17.8 cu ft
Exterior
Length 175.3 in 168.3 in
Width 67.1 in 69.6 in
Height 55.5 in 60.7 in
Wheelbase 102.8 in 101.2 in

Available Options

2003 Mazda Protege
DX
2021 Mazda CX-3
Sport AWD

Exterior Colors

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

Option Packages

  • Front & Rear Bumper Trim Package
  • Rear Parking Sensors

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