12/31/2023 0 Comments 1995 mazda protege![]() Three tall adults even fit in reasonable comfort in the rear. Getting in or out is easy, and the car comfortably seats four 6-footers. Unfortunately, the $800 anti-lock brakes aren't offered for the base DX model.Īll Proteges have exceptional roominess, which is the first thing a good sedan of any size should possess. The Protege has impressively short stopping distances and an easily modulated brake pedal. And a firm-but-supple, all-independent suspension and long wheelbase deliver a good ride and above-average roadability. Quick, precise variable-assist steering provides nice road feel. Too bad the manual shifter gets balky and likes to make a ``grunch'' sound when rushed, because the Protege-particularly the ES-acts like a mini sports sedan. Economy of the 1.8 four-cylinder with the manual is 26 city, 33 highway and 23 and 30 with the automatic. The best acceleration with either engine is gotten with the five-speed manual, which works with an easily operated clutch. This high-revving motor generates 122 horsepower and provides almost neck-snapping performance. However, the ES is powered by a quieter, 1.8 liter double-overhead-camshaft, 16-valve four-cylinder. in the city and 39 on highways with the manual and 27 and 35 with the four-speed automatic, which is an $800 Protege option. The 1.5 provides lively performance and delivers an impressive, EPA-estimated 32 m.p.g. The DX and LX have a spunky 1.5-liter, 92-horsepower four-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. It also has larger, wider tires and a rear stabilizer bar for improved handling. The ES, which I recently tested, adds air conditioning, sport front bucket seats and four-wheel disc brakes instead of the less-effective front disc/rear drum setup. The LX adds cruise control, AM/FM/cassette, tachometer and power windows, door locks and mirrors. The DX has air bags, reclining front bucket seats, console, power steering, dual remote mirrors, tilt steering column and rear defogger. Thoroughly revamped for 1995, the exceptionally solid, front-wheel-drive Protege comes as a base, $11,895 DX model, mid-range $13,195 LX and top-line $14,995 ES. Still, Mazda spokesman Fred Aikins said the automaker will sell only about 70,000 Proteges in the United States this year, which puts it far behind most autos in that Car and Driver comparison test. In fact, Car and Driver magazine named the Protege the winner in a test against highly regarded cars such as the Saturn, Honda Civic, Dodge Stratus and Ford Contour in last February's issue. The under-$15,000 Protege doesn't look adventuresome, but is a standout subcompact sedan in most respects. Look for Mazda to become less adventuresome under Ford, which wants to considerably boost sales of the Japanese firm. But the most successful Japanese automakers have scored by being mainstream. The philosophy of Japan's Mazda long has been to offer something unique. That's a shame, because Mazda, which recently came under Ford's control, has offered such things as the innovative rotary engine and presented cars with nearly exotic styling, such as the slinky MX-6 sports coupe. The only Mazda they're somewhat familiar with is the highly visible Miata sports car. Invariably, people I know who rent a Mazda coupe or sedan speak highly of the car-but then say they know little about its producer. The same could be said for most Mazda models because the automaker lacks the promotional sharpness and advertising dollars of larger rivals. The Mazda Protege is an excellent, but largely undiscovered sedan that suffers from limited promotion and muddled marketing.
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