Unfortunately, that small exterior package was rather bland in appearance, and the sporty ES model with a rev-happy engine was largely ignored by the buying public in favor of underpowered DX and LX models. Proteg was still a Great Little Car, but one that nobody knew about or appreciated, aside from the small core of knowledgeable buyers who searched out the few ES models that made the trip down the assembly line. Behold the all-new 1999 Mazda Proteg . Crisp, angular lines recall the first-generation Proteg as well as the current Audi A4, Honda Civic and Nissan Altima. Interior space, commodious in the previous car, continues to please.
New engines make more power and torque.
Improved ergonomics make it easier to live with the Proteg . We recently drove this new Proteg 1,200 miles, covering urban Southern California corridors, twisty two-lane roads, and hundreds of miles of straight desert Interstate. We returned the Proteg to Mazda with few complaints. The 1999 Proteg is a Great Little Car that you should know more about. The LX is better equipped, including cruise control, a CD player, power door locks, power windows, power mirrors and a seat-height adjuster.