Mazda Protégé Sales Figures

Mazda Protégé

The Mazda Protégé, also known as the Mazda 323 in many parts of the world, was a compact car produced by Mazda between the late 1970s and the early 2000s. It was known for its reliability, affordability, and decent handling for its class. The Protege was replaced by the Mazda3 in 2003.

Mazda Protégé Overview

Before it became widely recognized as the Protégé in North America in the 1990s, the car had its roots in the Mazda Familia/323, which dated back to the 1960s. The Protégé underwent several generational changes during its lifespan. As a compact car, it competed with other vehicles like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Sentra. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Protégé had evolved into a well-rounded compact sedan with various trims and engine options, including performance-oriented variants like the Mazdaspeed Protégé.

The Mazda Protégé was generally praised for its driving dynamics. Even in its more basic forms, it offered a more engaging driving experience than many of its competitors. This characteristic is a hallmark of Mazda vehicles, which often emphasize a “zoom-zoom” sporty feel. Over the years, the car came with a variety of engine options ranging from efficient 1.5L engines to more powerful 2.0L versions. The Mazdaspeed Protégé, available in the early 2000s, was a turbocharged version of the car that catered to performance enthusiasts.

The Protégé’s run effectively ended after the 2003 model year. It was succeeded by the Mazda3 in 2004, which took over the compact car role in Mazda’s lineup and brought a more modern design and improved features.