1994 Mazda Protege Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The exterior look of the Mazda Protege was updated for 1994. The four-door subcompact sedan received a new front hood, grille, and...

The exterior look of the Mazda Protege was updated for 1994. The four-door subcompact sedan received a new front hood, grille, and headlights, as well as a redesigned fascia (which is a fancy term for the front end, including the bumper, grille, and headlights). Mazda also added an entry-level base (or special) trim package for 1994. It was equipped with a stripped-down list of standard features, including power brakes, power steering, a rear-window defroster, and 13-inch wheels. Stepping up a notch, the Protege DX added 14-inch wheels, a remote trunk release, and intermittent windshield wipers. Both the entry-level base version and the DX trim package were powered by a a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that generated 103 horsepower. A third trim package, called the LX, received the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder, but it was equipped with twin cams, which boosted its horsepower to 125. Standard features for the LX included power windows, power door locks, power exterior mirrors, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, and an AM/FM/cassette stereo system. A five-speed manual transmission was standard for all Protege models, and a four-speed automatic was optional. While some drivers noted they had problems with the Protege's automatic transmission, most reported having few problems with the car, other than routine maintenance and repair issues. Overall, drivers noted, the Protege was reliable, comfortable, and affordable, with aggressive performance and responsive handling.