Mazda Protege
1999-2003 modelsMODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST
OVERALL EVALUATION:
| Structure/safety cage | Injury measures | Restraints/dummy kinematics | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head/neck | Chest | Leg/foot, left | Leg/foot, right | ||
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Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.
Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor
Test details:
The Mazda Protege was redesigned for the 1999 model year.
Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. During rebound, the dummy moved toward the driver door. Its head went part of the way out the open window and approached but didn't hit the window frame.
Injury measures — Measures taken from the head, neck, and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Forces on both tibias indicate that injuries to the lower right leg would be likely and injuries to the lower left leg would be possible.
Left to right:
- Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.
- The driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well, although there was more intrusion into the footwell area than is desirable.
- Intrusion into the footwell area contributed to the likelihood of leg injuries.
- The rear bumper system on the 1999 model allowed excessive damage in a 5 mph pole impact -- more than $2,800 worth of damage compared with about $700 damage to the predecessor Protege model.
Additional features:
- Side airbags: front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags (optional, beginning with 2000 models).
- Antilock brakes (optional)
Tested vehicle specifications:
- 1999 Mazda Protege LX 4-door
- Class: Small car
- Weight: 2,577 lbs.
- Side airbags: none
- Wheelbase: 103 in.
- Length: 174 in.
- Width: 67 in.
- Engine: 1.6 L 4-cylinder
- EPA ratings: 26 mpg city | 33 mpg highway
