Mazda totally redesigned the Protege for 1999. The makeover included a new body style with a distinctly European look, a tough new frame, two new engines and a new transmission. It resulted in a vehicle that was hailed in many quarters as the best in its class.

The changes shone even more in the context of the previous Protege, which was so fundamentally sound and aesthetically pleasing that Mazda could have gone a few more years without an overhaul. Mazda's decision to plow ahead with luxury-car styling, comfort, and roominess in an economy car raised the bar for its competitors.

For 2000, Mazda has improved the Protege even more with a number of refinements. They include optional side-impact air bags for the front seats and an optional anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution -- a stability-control system commonly found on much higher-end cars. New aesthetic touches for 2000 include chrome-accented interior switches, color-matched shifter and parking-brake levers, and illuminated power window and door lock switches to ease use at night.