At the rear is a large compound-curved hatch and clear-covered taillights that echo the headlight shape. Although the Mazda3 5-door has a longer wheelbase than the old Protege5, and is longer, its beefier proportions give it a look that is more hatchback than wagon. Seventeen-inch wheels with low-profile performance tires fill the wheel arches, and plastic trim garnishes the rocker panels. The hood line continues to the base of the windshield to form a strong shoulder line, and top of the each lower, wider front fenders creates a line that flows back to the complementarily-shaped blistered rear fender for a strong, purposeful look. The plastic-faired headlight clusters are between the 3's two relatives in shape, but the lower fascia, with a large mesh-covered intake flanked by faux brake scoops with projector-beam foglamps, has a marked similarity to the front of the RX8. As on the Mazda6 and RX8, sharply-sculpted character lines radiate back from the grille (in this case a body-colored version of the Mazda five-point design) to form a power dome hood. It shows all of the latest styling trends from Mazda, with a healthy dose of Mazda6 in the sculpted hood and more than a hint of RX8 in the front face. Zoom-zoom, indeed.ĪPPEARANCE: A sporty car should look sporty, and the Mazda3 hides nothing of its character in its skin. Add plenty of useful power, matched with a great-shifting gearbox, and a refined but sporty chassis to that space and the result is an experience unique in this country. There is even more room inside, making it a great choice for anyone needing space but wanting sport. It's more refined, but not at the expense of an entertaining, fun-to-drive character. In the week I spent with a Mazda3 5-Door, I found it to be a more substantial and grown-up car than the Protege5. Its 160 horsepower is a considerable step up from the Protege5's 130-horse 2.0-liter engine. The sportier 5-Door is available only with the 2.3-liter engine. Mazda3 sedans are offered with a choice of four-cylinder engines, of 2.0 and 2.3 liters displacement, both closely-related to the four-cylinder used in the larger Mazda6. As with the Protege, the Mazda3 is a front-wheel drive car. It comes in sedan or 5-Door body styles, the 5-Door being a four-door hatchback with the hatch making the fifth door. Slightly longer and wider than the Protege, the Mazda3 is built on a new platform that is considerably more rigid than the old Protege chassis. The top-line Mazda3 is the S 5-Door, a car very much in the same vein as the Protege5 - but more grown up and better in all ways. Does this mean Mazda has given up on the sport-compact wagon? Not a chance.
For 2004, as the Mazda lineup continues to change, the Protege is history, replaced by the Mazda3. There was virtually no shift shock as well-the gear indicator on the instrumentation cluster provided the only sign of up or down shifts.SEE ALSO: Mazda Specs, Reviews and Comparisons 1997-Present Model YearĪ few years ago, Mazda invented the sport-compact wagon genre with the introduction of the Protege5. Though not exactly the most powerful one in its class, it was a good one-working seamlessly with the transmission providing smooth, steady progress even into triple-digit speed territory. Fast progress was assured thanks to the fairy godfather’s gift of a new heart: a 2.0-liter MZR inline-4.
#2004 mazda protege review driver#
On the move, it showed the driver its new found muscle by out-squirting most other things on the road. However, they did enjoy the supportive seats and individual headrests, perfect for long distance driving comfort. The wife too was happy with Mazda3’s large cubby holes, split-fold boot (for the groceries) and the gigantic glove box-big enough to fit her purse! The kids though felt a bit shortchanged at the back with Mazda3’s less than ample room.
#2004 mazda protege review manual#
It had everything the driver wanted: a 6-disc in-dash changer, leather seats, automatic climate control, power moon roof, and then some: vertically-rested dials, a reach and tilt adjustable steering wheel and a four-speed automatic with manual override. Though everything was jet-black and gloomy, it was purposeful with its driver-centered controls and impeccable driving position.
0 kommentar(er)
