1999 Mazda Protegé...continued

Driving Position: Sitting behind the wheel of the new Protegé, the first thing one notices is the ample visibility all around. Looking toward the instrument panel there is a heating and air conditioning duct and one of many small storage compartments on the left. Under the rounded cowl, there are three round gauges. A tachometer is standard in the LX and ES but unfortunately it is not available in the DX. To the right of the instrument cluster, above the center console, are the main vents for the air conditioning and heating system and located directly below, where it should be, are the controls for the audio system. Below the audio system are the controls for the air and heating system. The center console between the seats contains the shifter for the transmission -- either manual or automatic -- and more storage which, in the case of the LX and ES models, is covered and includes an armrest.

Safety Features: It used to be that small cars were not considered safe. This is no longer the case. The new Protegé has a variety of safety features -- some standard, some optional. WOMAN MOTORIST believes that safety features are never an option. Consumers should make sure to get as many safety options as they can afford. Protegé features the latest generation of depowered airbags for both the driver and front passenger. There are three-point seat belts in all five seating positions with load limiters on the front seats belts. A three-channel antilock brake system is available on the LX and ES models.

There are more safety features hidden under Protegé's skin. The car has what Mazda calls triple H construction which creates a safety cage around the passenger compartment, similar to that in a racing stock car protecting passengers in case of a rollover. The car's doors feature side-impact beams and catchpins preventing the doors from intruding into the passenger compartment in the event of a side-impact.

For personnel safety, Protegé features dual action power door locks on the LX and ES models, allowing the driver to open one or all the doors from one key fob. This is important as it helps prevent someone from stealing a purse or gaining access to a vehicle.

Cargo Space: Protegé features a class leading 12.9 cu. ft. of trunk space, which in some cases can be as much as 3 cu. ft. more than its competitors.