As a new addition to the Mazda line-up, the Protege5 – a five-door car – excels on a number of levels for a smaller-sized vehicle: good ride and handling, sufficient trunk space (with the added feature of a trunk light that utilizes one switch for auto mode as well as on/off), comfortable seats, practical and functional instrument panel lay-out, and head room to spare for a front seated 6-foot-4 occupant. The car also holds its own against larger-sized vehicles, meaning the Protege5 doesn’t sway and shimmy when being passed by a full-size automobile. Protege5, powered by a 16-valve, 2-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 130 horsepower, mates to a standard smooth-shifting 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed electronically controlled transmission. The car’s unique exterior styling gets plenty of rave comments, and yes, that black roof rack is standard fare. Protege5 is an amazing steering machine. (As a side note, the steering column avoids a dashboard mounting and instead utilizes the instrument panel’s main member for the support.) Mile per gallon estimates are 25 city/31 highway with manual transmission. Suggested retail price is $16,385.