- Newest year: 2003
- Gas
- Small cars
2002-2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 MPG & Fuel Cost
2 model years · 23–24 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 8 of 10 small car configurations, MY2003. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2002-2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 at a glance
The 2002-2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 covers 2 model years in the EPA database (7 configurations in all), rated 23–24 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2003, costs about $2,720 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD (24 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2003.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2002-2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 by model year
What the 2003 Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$227
$2,720 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.53
Per 100 miles
$18.13
Five years
$13,600
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$770less a year
Class median $3,490 a year, MY2003
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration stays at 24 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,720.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S4) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $3,490 |
1 configuration requires or recommends higher-octane gasoline and is costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2002 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 MPG
24 MPG · $2,720/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S4) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD: $3,700 in California and $2,370 in Texas, a $1,330 difference.
- California $3,700
- Washington $3,430
- New York $2,720
- Florida $2,570
- Texas $2,370
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2003 small car models.
Generations
- 2002-2003 (BJ)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2002-2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 get?
EPA rates the 2002-2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 at 23–24 MPG combined across 7 configurations and 2 model years. The most efficient version, the 2003 Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 24 MPG (22 city, 28 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2002-2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5?
Every model year of the 2002-2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 tops out at 24 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2002-2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2003.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,720 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $2,720–$3,490 a year. That is a $770 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 100 miles?
About $18.13 per 100 miles for the Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $18.13 and $23.27 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD is rated 22 city and 28 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 compare with other small car configurations?
The Protege/Protege 5 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,720 a year to fuel, $770 less than the class median of $3,490, and less than 8 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 349 rated small car configurations for MY2003, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2003 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 different from the 2002 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 24 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,720. EPA lists 4 configurations for 2003 against 3 configurations for 2002. See the 2002 Mazda Protege/Protege 5 for that year.