2000
Mazda Protege

Starts at:
$12,215
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn DX Auto
    Starts at
    $12,215
    26 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn DX Manual
    Starts at
    $12,215
    29 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn LX Manual
    Starts at
    $13,515
    29 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn LX Auto
    Starts at
    $13,515
    26 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn ES Auto
    Starts at
    $15,315
    24 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn ES Manual
    Starts at
    $15,315
    26 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege 2000 Mazda Protege

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Expert 2000 Mazda Protege review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview
Side-impact airbags are a new option for the LX and ES versions of the Protegé, Mazda’s front-drive compact sedan. The new side-impact airbags are part of option packages that include anti-lock brakes. Protegé was redesigned last year, but it has a short future in its present form. Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda, and plans are to switch the Protegé to the Ford Focus platform for 2002. However, Mazda’s rendition is expected to look much different than Ford’s.

Interior
The five-passenger Protegé is one of the roomier small cars, with interior volume of 92.6 cubic feet. That translates into adequate rear legroom and headroom for adult-size passengers. A split, folding rear seat supplements the 12.9-cubic-foot trunk, giving Protegé commendable cargo space for a small sedan.

Exterior
At 174 inches end to end, Protegé is one inch shorter than the best-selling small car, the Honda Civic. Mazda says the “European-inspired styling” was done jointly by designers in Europe, Japan and California.

Under the Hood
The DX and LX models use a 105-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The top-line ES has a 1.8-liter engine with 122 horsepower. Manual and automatic transmissions are available with both.

Performance
It is easy to lose sight of the Protegé in the herd of small sedans. A closer look reveals a roomy car that is well equipped, competent, fun to drive and competitively priced.

 

Reported by Rick Popely  for cars.com
From the cars.com 2000 Buying Guide

2000 Mazda Protege review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview
Side-impact airbags are a new option for the LX and ES versions of the Protegé, Mazda’s front-drive compact sedan. The new side-impact airbags are part of option packages that include anti-lock brakes. Protegé was redesigned last year, but it has a short future in its present form. Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda, and plans are to switch the Protegé to the Ford Focus platform for 2002. However, Mazda’s rendition is expected to look much different than Ford’s.

Interior
The five-passenger Protegé is one of the roomier small cars, with interior volume of 92.6 cubic feet. That translates into adequate rear legroom and headroom for adult-size passengers. A split, folding rear seat supplements the 12.9-cubic-foot trunk, giving Protegé commendable cargo space for a small sedan.

Exterior
At 174 inches end to end, Protegé is one inch shorter than the best-selling small car, the Honda Civic. Mazda says the “European-inspired styling” was done jointly by designers in Europe, Japan and California.

Under the Hood
The DX and LX models use a 105-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The top-line ES has a 1.8-liter engine with 122 horsepower. Manual and automatic transmissions are available with both.

Performance
It is easy to lose sight of the Protegé in the herd of small sedans. A closer look reveals a roomy car that is well equipped, competent, fun to drive and competitively priced.

 

Reported by Rick Popely  for cars.com
From the cars.com 2000 Buying Guide

Safety review

Based on the 2000 Mazda Protege base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
4/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Side driver
3/5
Side rear passenger
4/5

Factory warranties

Basic
3 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
3 years / 50,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 50,000 miles

Consumer reviews

89% of drivers recommend this car
4.4 / 5
Based on 28 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.1
Interior 4.1
Performance 3.8
Value 4.6
Exterior 4.2
Reliability 4.7

Most recent

  • By AutoReviewer from Cary, NC
    Used to own this car
    December 21, 2025

    Owned 2000 Mazda Protege 1.

    Owned 2000 Mazda Protege 1.6l 5spd from new until 2011. Put > 100k miles. I think a power window went out and that's it. It was autox with no issues. Not a fast car, but a Blast to Drive. Ran into speed governor at ~112 MPH. Sic 4 wheel drifts. NC HW181 North just past Optimistic RV Campground the wide road goes up the mountain. Stuck it in 3rd gear around 4k rpm and entered the corners at full throttle and the car 4 wheel drifted (~1') through them as stable as could be. Ridiculous how fast I caught back up to cars after being passed helping broken down motorist. Didn't have the skill to pull the drifts off going down hill though, the dynamic is different. Only got 26 mpg on that tank, normally ~30 MPG. Near 80 MPH cruising get ~34 MPG. 4-wheel drifts well on decreasing radius turns too, just back off the throttle some and crank in some more steering and it tightens up the line. Miss the drifts and the low maintenance costs. Sold as I was just too big to comfortably fit in it. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoyed mine!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Chris
    Used to own this car
    September 2, 2024

    I have this car in high school back in 2002 to 2005.

    I have this car in high school back in 2002 to 2005. Loved it great on Gas great ongoing on trips had plenty of room for being my friends. I even had fun taking that air filter out made it sound louder to get another one.
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Adam from New York, NY
    Used to own this car
    April 15, 2021

    Most reliable car I've owned!

    I loved the car. It was fun to drive, loved the look, the comfort, reliability... I truly had fun driving and taking care of the car. I highly recommend this car!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By DevineVic from New York, NY
    Owns this car
    March 3, 2020

    Car has met all of my expectations.

    It is reliable and fun to drive. It is great looking and it has comfortable and also good looking interior. I think you will not need to put a lot of money to keep it running.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Luis Aguirre from Philadelphia
    Test drove this car
    December 19, 2018

    You get what you pay for

    I’ll admit the low milage drew my attention as I’m sure it will for you, but that’s the cars only redeeming quality, there’s rust seeping under the car, irregular motor patterns, interior below average, dripping oil; don’t waste your time.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 2.0
    9 people out of 16 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Owner Neice from birmingham, Alabama
    Owns this car
    August 13, 2018

    This car was a great buy for the owner.

    This car served the owner well. It was purchased by a retired person so the mileage is very low. The inside is very clean for a used car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By KiraH. from Somerset, NJ
    Owns this car
    May 27, 2018

    Very reliable car, even at 18 yrs old

    This sedan is roomy & comfortable to ride in. Reliable. Inexpensive to repair. Good gas miles per gallon & only approx. $25 to fill. No major issues.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Mazdalover from Charleston, SC
    Owns this car
    March 5, 2018

    Best car ever made

    I bought my 2000 Mazda Protege from the second owner. The Protege had 152,000 miles on it and had been maintained but with no real repairs. I have had this car now as a daily driver for 5 years. At 187,000 miles I have had no repairs. Just routine maintenance such as oil changes, belt, hoses, tires, etc.. I find the car has a lot of pep but best of all the gas mileage is INCREDIBLE! I get 28 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway. I was talking to another owner of the same vehicle and they had 320,000 miles with no major repairs. Built to last and loads of run to drive. It reminds me of a Porsche. I especially like the low body, tall glass, cab forward design similar to the older Ferraris. I will keep it until it stops running which means I will probably have it for the rest of my life. The guy that sold it to me stops by every year to whine about how he wished he had not sold it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By carjae from california
    Owns this car
    October 4, 2017

    Reliable and Easy to Service

    Great! Plenty of space in front and rear of car! Lasts a long time!! Power windows, locks, remote key
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By riprop
    Owns this car
    August 8, 2017

    Most reliable car I've ever owned

    I got this car with 92k on it and have put another 15k on it during the two years I've owned it. Car has needed nothing but regular gas and regular oil changes (every 4k miles). I've driven it every way possible and it has never given me a problem. Car has always started right up and never let me down. For a 17 year old car it blends it with everything on the road quite nicely and the interior although basic, is functional and well laid out. This is the kinda car you can beat on and it will just keep going.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By J
    Owns this car
    January 20, 2012

    Odometer 256,000 and counting

    Mazda makes a heck of a product, and it just keeps going (though I just replaced my first starter at 256,000 miles). The difference between the Protege and the newer MAZDA3's is definitely comfort - I tried a 2011 3 and didn't even bother test-driving it as my head was scraping the cabin ceiling (I'm only 5-11!). The 2009 3 (just before the 2010 redesign) is much better. In the search for aerodynamics every manufacturer seems to content to squeeze people into their cars with very little room, giving a whole new, negative meaning to the word "compact." The 2000 Protege is a compact with midsize comfort.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By New Reviewer from WV
    Owns this car
    September 5, 2011

    A Great Surprise

    This car had been rebuilt when I bought it but it has been well worth the money. This is not a good winter car, but great for spring, summer, and fall.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2000 Mazda Protege?

The 2000 Mazda Protege is available in 3 trim levels:

  • DX (2 styles)
  • ES (2 styles)
  • LX (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2000 Mazda Protege?

The 2000 Mazda Protege offers up to 29 MPG in city driving and 34 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2000 Mazda Protege reliable?

The 2000 Mazda Protege has an average reliability rating of 4.7 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2000 Mazda Protege owners.

Is the 2000 Mazda Protege a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2000 Mazda Protege. 89.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.4 / 5
Based on 28 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.1
  • Interior: 4.1
  • Performance: 3.8
  • Value: 4.6
  • Exterior: 4.2
  • Reliability: 4.7
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