The Most Underrated Sports Wagon Ever? Mazda Protege5 Review 

I've had my P5 for almost the past 7 years, and it's brought nothing but smiles. Every level of utility you could need, I can still get 30MPG with almost 160k on the clock. Engine still strong, MT as flawless as the day I bought it, and I never have a second thought about jumping in it to drive across town or a 6 hour trip. Im about 6'4" and it fits me like a glove. I bought my 2016 Mazda6 at the end of 2016, but kept my P5 just because I couldn't bear to part with it. the rear seats fold flat, and I can throw anything I want in it and go. I wish Mazda would bring the 6 Wagon to the states, I'd even be willing to give up my manual trans mission for it if they did. It's just as at home on the highway as it is in a twisty back road. I also think the design has aged really well, it's sporty but not obnoxious and the front end is what got me when they first came out. With the big round fog lamps it screams rally wagon, without needing to be one. If you can find one, scoop it up, you won't regret it.

It's new enough to have most of the basic features that we've become accustomed to, but old enough that I don't need to have a degree in rocket science to be able to repair things on it myself. love it

As a Protegé5 owner myself, I agree that it's extremely underrated as a driver's car.

Bit sad that SUV's and CUV's are replacing wagons these days, wagons are great.

Most underrated wagon. Most underrated brand.

As a former own I can 10000% day these cars are the most underrated hatches on the market. Mine was a delight to drive whether it be on the highway or the back roads, and like other comments the design was everything. Really sleek and nifty. I’d definitely buy one again just to restore it, these cars deserve to be remembered.

Was so happy to own this car. It ate corners so easy, engine wasn’t fast but responsive when needed, easy cheap maintenance, great manual gearbox, great mpg and just looked amazing with the roof rack

This is one of my favorite cars that I have ever drove just due to how tight it felt in corners

Loved my Protege5. Was so much fun to drive. Especially for its age

Nice camera work. I’ve had my 2002 P5 for the last 12 years with over 235,000 miles on it. It has been my daily ride since college and is still going strong and staying clean as my daily commuter to work. Fun to drive indeed.

I learned standard on it! Truly a great car I took it around the parking lot and went on the road blaring Eurobeat and did 160 km on a back road for the first time! I’ll never forget that night!

Traded mine in a year ago, manual transmission. Loved that car, 200k miles, still was an amazing drive.

I had one for little over a year and I totally loved mine. Most fun car I ever owned. I miss it a lot.

My wife has had a 2003 since new. I've owned, Alfa Romeos, MGs, etc, and the P5 handles every bit as good. Very fun car to drive.

Been waiting for this exact video! I have only owned mine for a little under a year, but I can't gloat enough about how much I love the car. Most certainly is underrated. Looks and feels great. I do, however, admit that the car does need more power. I went and bought mine interstate because of how low of km's it had done. 2003 323 SP20. Is (for the better) different to the one seen in this video. I so look forward to modifying it in the future. Good video, man. Continue to bring out the hidden gems!

Had a 2003 five speed for ten years. Loved it, but everything rusted like crazy on the salted roads of Buffalo. It got so bad the floorboards disintegrated. My dad called it the Flintstone mobile.

Owning a Protege5 myself I'm probably a bit biased, but I agree with your assessment of it being underrated. Buddy of mine owns a Miata and has referred to the Pro5 as the FWD Miata in terms of handling. With some grippier tires as well as a rear sway bar, the car is plenty capable of putting a smile on your face. It's funny as I also own a 96 Impreza Outback Sport, and comparing the two, I'd LOVE if the Pro5 had the Subaru's gearing. The Subaru for me is my winter beater, and I enjoy each car for its own styling choices. If I could own "new" versions of both cars, I'd be curious to which one I would gravitate towards more.

I have had my p5 for 6 years it now has 321k miles and still runs amazing!! No check engine light no miss fires shifts smooth I absolutely love it

got one myself, didnt know about the p5 before but now i LOVE her

I found one of these for $300 with an automatic. I got it running, and was immediately put off by how slow it was. Then I came to a roundabout and was surprised how fast I could toss it around! This protege5 is BIG fun on a winding mountain road. It really does handle like a dream. Extremely predictable handling so you feel comfortable pushing it hard.

I've been wanting one of these for so long and finally got my hands on one. 03 P5 with 87k miles this thing is awesome.

My P5 has 210,000 on the clock. Aside of maintenance and occasional repairs, she run great, is affordable to keep and is a blast to drive. Also convenient but it's a blast and sports a great manual transmission. Thanks for the video! Subbed

I had that exact car back in high school and it was probley my favorite car. Ive also had a Saturn SL1, Chrysler 300, Subaru Outback, and a Hyundai Elantra lol

I subscribed cause I vibe with your personality, some people just have a annoying personality but your just chill and laid back

I have one 2002, man it handles awesome. Love how compact it is but also how much room you can get from this car. Looking forward for many more years of use...

Hahah I bought a 2003 323 Astina today as my daily drive! Just looking at vids on them now, loved your review for so many reasons!! I have a Honda S2000 and a 3rd Gen Prelude so I am spoiled when it comes to handling, fun and power with older Japanese cars. I wanted a CR-V for my daily, but went with this little thing instead. It handles/revvs so well! Love it!

Fun To Drive Ratio is off the charts. We owned one for over 10 years. Great gas mileage too (5-speed). Wife totaled it. I has had a major sad. Still miss it. (Dark Blue)

I bought a 2001 Mazda Protege MP3 in 2013, and still own it to this day. I’ve wanted to move to a bigger car, but it works so well for me and is still extremely reliable. 165k miles and running strong.

my protege5 has 160k miles with the check engine light on and i abuse it everyday and it’s still my daily

I have one too, it's called Mazda 323F in Hungary. This car is amazing, but really few people have and the most don't even know the 323/Protoge. It should have bigger fame, its handling, shape, the feeling of driving it..literally as you say, it's not about the speed, but only those know who drove it. Unfortunatly my car has the smallest engine, the 1.3 16V, but it feels like driving a car whit at least 1.8 engine. Once my cousin sat in there, then I asked him "What do you think, which engine is it?" He answered "I don't know, maybe 1.8 or 2.0 whit 110-120 HP" That's the proof :D

I bought mine back in July and I feel right at home in it. Very fun to drive and easy to work on, about 85% of the fun of the Rx7 I owned before it.

I used to have one as my first car and it was just simply awesome. Very tempted to get another one...lower it, get some bbs on it and decent coilovers...and just smile for days.

I just purchased a 2002 protege5. I love it already. ❤❤❤

Great review! I own an 02 Black Mica P5 and man. I almost consider long drives with it some sort of therapy. Awesome relic of the early 2000’s

Nice relaxed review.I have one of these in a 2000 model year and the same colour.It called a Familia in NZ.Totally agree with this review,like you say its the handling that surprised me.Nice firm ride with little body roll for what it is.Just a real good budget priced car that is fun to drive at legal speeds.It sure is fun to stuff into corners.Cheers.

Protege5 one of best cars Mazda ever produce.

Editing skills are very good.....Keep it up.

I've wanted a Protege5 since I saw my friend's older brother with one in high school. So that's 18 years now that I've wanted one and I think I'm gonna try and sell my van to buy one.

A surprisingly good looking wagon! I knew the Protege was a thing since my parents had one, but I didn't realize until a couple month ago that Mazda made a wagon version! Kinda want one now. I think my Fiesta ST would be jealous though, lol.

absolutely love mine!

I just bought one of these, same color too. I'm loving the shit outta it! It'll last me through college, hopefully:)

I have one of these and I totally agree with everything he said in the video! It’s actually way to fun to drive

That car looks awesome

Nice video. I own a 323f (which is the same thing), but with the 1.5 16v engine... :'( Still handles awesome!

Great cars I've driven several of them but the seller usually wants way more then they are worth. I had a Protégé ES with the same drive train and on back roads under 70mph they get decent gas mileage. Because the way they are geared the engine is spinning at 4,000 rpms at 80mph. Which means it eats gas. Keep it around 65ish and your be fine. A nice tight back road is where these cars shine!

Omg I LOVE my 2003 Mazda Protege5, my favorite car ever

I didn't know these things came with a 2.0 engine, myself I've picked up a 99 pre-facelift 1.5 EU spec, called the 323F here, early this summer. Bought it totally as just a get-around while my project daily is in the docks and what a surprise. The 90hp Z5-DE is an absolute fighter to 6.5 and a bit thousand RPM, and while the pedestrian if very smooth and compliant gearbox keeps that busy and revving, the handling is so good. The way just a basic wagon-lite that nobody cares about can assume a position, worn suspension and all, and go around bends with such conviction is amazing. Front seats are good, rears are... stiff but not uncomfortable. In any case, these cars just get thrown around, abused into the ground and totally forgotten. I'm going to make mine as good as can for the least money and give it many more years for someone to love.

I've had my Protege5 for 3 years now. I am getting ready to sell it for a gen 2 CRV. Watching this video is making me rethink selling it...

I had mine for 8 years I had so much fun with it. It's so nice to drive and I regret trading it in.

I still have mine. It's 18 years old. I have a blue 2003 protege5

Favourite car I ever owned. Dearly miss it. I hate what Mazda's done with the Protegé/Mazda3 after they replaced the model.

You got a sub out of me. Nice review, lovely car

I was thinking of picking one of these up and converting it into a beginner rally car.

When these were still being made, it felt like they were super common here in the Toronto area, and now if I try to find one on AutoTrader, there aren't that many. I wondered if that meant they didn't hold up, but judging by the love I'm seeing in the comments, its because people have held onto them. Would like to see someone do an EV conversion on one of these.

Just put second motor in my 03 protege. Love the car

I have the es sedan and it is great, only problems never addressed with protégés are the rust issues. The bottom of the car will rust out and you’ll fall through the floor before anything else needs to be replaced

Had that exact car. Great daily driver.

The MK1 Ford Focus sold around the world in riding on this same platform, which by many is considered one of the best handling compact cars to this day, so it makes sense that this wagon would be brilliant as well, especially with how sporty Mazda tends to make all their cars.

I drove a 01 protege es for 8 years, great car, tons of fun. Unfortunately, at 200k I had a bunch of work that needed to be done, just basics nothing major, but enough $$$ for me to just hop in a newer car. I now have a 2012 mazda3 hatch, not as fun as the protege was but plenty fun enough.

Test drove one of these 18 years ago and as I drove it I could feel myself smiling. Bought one the following weekend and I still have it today. A few years back, was going to buy a "practical" BRZ and sell the Protege5 but then realized I could buy a Miata and just keep the P5 so that's what I did. It's an awesome car. I'm replacing all the wear parts on it to try and get it driving like new.

I have one and it's really nice to drive

I had a 2002, first car that was not pre-owned. They weren't fast, nor particularly economical, and they were noisy as heck. But great handling and so much fun to drive, and excellent space efficiency. I miss it, and should have kept it longer than I did.

My mom drives this and she likes it. We had a Mitsubishi Gallant? That car didn't do us well. The Mazda is nice and I like the black and tan theme it has.

I have 2000 turbo diesel version here in europe. Great car, but diesel engine is loud as tractor engine. feels like sports car on. Suspensions are very stiff but its comfy car nevertheless

I still have my 2002 P5 with only 48K miles (city car)! Unfortunately these had a tendency to rust along the rear wheel wells and Chicago winters are not kind to vehicles. Handles great but the gearing makes highway travel tiring due to the engine noise.

great car, agree with your review. Thanks Eric

Original owner of 2003 P5. Over 400K miles. Many great memories.

Major rust problems with these cars in my area, but they have a very comfortable drive and clean interior for the price

Enjoyed the review. In 2002 this was my first-ever, new-from-the-dealer car -- same color and everything. I was attracted to the car because I think it has good design with the long hood and relatively low roof height, and it was a decent drivers car. I ultimately traded it in on a MINI Cooper, but there will always be a soft spot in my heart for these relatively rare, underappreciated cars. (It frustrates me that Americans are down on wagons and manual transmissions. Wagons are awesome.)

something people don't know about these cars is that they're incredibly lightweight for a sport-wagon. right around 2,750 at the very heaviest, 2,720 is the lightest they came, but if they're stripped down and have carbon fiber fenders, hood, and hatch, you could probably get it down to 2,300 lbs. it's not fast at all by modern standards, but due to these cars being so light, they wouldn't feel out of place in a canyon

I've had mine for the last 5 years now and the perk of it is that only cost fifteen hundred bucks so I'll put so much money into it to make it a roadster and it hauls ass you can make those cars really amazing

I've had two of these, with the first one something was ALWAYS wrong with it. The second one didn't even make it back home... had to leave it on the side of the road :(

I have an 02 with only 40,000 miles on it. I’m the second owner and it was garage kept until I got it in 2019

Have had mine for a year now. Only my second car and it handles amazing.

I love this car so much. Has been fantastic and dependable. Unfortunately recently it was struck by a drunk driver in the parking lot. So now my driver doors are crushed. :( I'm saving some money to see if I can replace the doors but it won't be the same.

I'm expected to buy my first car soon, its gonna be this one. I'm excited. Only difference is that its Automatic Transmission, same year/color though

I live in Seattle and have a p5 the check engine light has been on for 2 years and still my daily

Just bought one for 1800 with 120k miles engine and transmission are in excellent shape

I had this car 2 time and 2 time a sedan they were both ( great and well cars )

Thanks for doing this review. Had my 2003 for 13 years until someone rear ended me while stopped. It didn't survive. Best car I've owned yet...and I have a 2015 Mazda 3 hatch. I wish they'd make a sportwagon again.

really considering this now...but its so scarce in South Africa

These are fun I have the silver 5 speed one it reminds me a lot of my dads old mx 5

Have the same year in mica black. 168,000 miles runs excellent. I think she’ll rust out before she dies out!

I miss mine every day

Hey man, great video! how do you record your video when driving? a gopro? I'm also in the washington area!

on the autobahn i pushed my protege 1.6 to 129 miles with original parts... ok.. it was down a mountain :D

They are very dependable yet some think they are slow, get mediocre gas mileage and rides too stiff. They do have good torque

I own 1 of these there really fun its red to. I'm thinking of doing an engine swap

I was thinking of getting a 1.6 one of these as my first car after I've experienced driving my dad's car for a bit. Would you recommend?

From the area! What road was that at the end? Looks fun to drive in my 06 Impreza wagon

Is it still for sale?? I’d love to buy one like this. Had the opportunity to buy one used in 2004 and got a new Mazda3 instead. Would have probably loved the yellow Protegé5 more! I miss cars like this.

I like the way the car looks, and that’s really all haha I’m not a big on cars and I recently just got my license. And was wondering if this would be a good first car? I don’t really like newer cars and I trust Mazda’s

I bought one of these off my uncle and I wanted to know is there anywhere I can learn everything I can on care care and maintenence? I want to take care of this car but idk how I'm more of a tech guy

Was this video in Seattle? The architecture seems like i5

Awesome car she is❤️💯

The only major problem about these at least that I know of is the rust. I had a 2000 Protege with a 1.6L auto. I got rid if it becasue it started to rust through the floorboard, even thugh it was running good. I live in Minnesota so it's common to see rusty cars, but not as bad as the Proteges and even Mazdas around the same years.

Had my P5 for the past couple months and while she's got over 200k from the previous owner(s) and smokes like a trailer park mother from cold start...this car's been way too much fun.

I bought my 2003 new with 7 miles on it and I still love it. Its not fast by any means but what it is is a drivers car... It is just fun to drive. My only complaint is before I turned mine into a show car when I drove on the freeway Hondas would pull up on me wanting to race... Really???

Had one of the pre facelift ones here in Aus and the interior was a lot better. Semi buckets in the front. 130hp? Maybe Aus version was less. 100hp from memory

After 180k mine started to fall apart. Anybody know if the bell housing is same as miata? Thinking about swapi g a Honda kseries in to mine.