Jackson Free Press

I've known Ms. D. about the same amount of time that I've been writing car reviews—on and off for about six years now. (On and off for the car reviews. Aside from the occasional exile to the living-room sofa, I've been seeing Ms. D. continuously for that entire time.) For all those reviews, there have been only two cars—aside from my Mazda Miata, which is now pretty much her Mazda Miata—for which she has expressed any level of admiration.

One was a 2002 Porsche Boxster S (about $70,000) that we drove last year. That barely counts, though, because nearly every woman I encountered during that test drive—from a gregarious woman at a New Jersey rest area to my 91-year-old grandmother in Maryland—thought the Porsche was a sweet ride. But Ms. D. positively purred over it at the time, even going so far as to demand to drive it, which she did, swooping joyously through the Pennsylvania Dutch country, top down, hair blowing.

The only other car that has caught Ms. D.'s finicky eye is the Mazda Protégé5, an $18,000 economy "sportwagon" that's marketed to 20-somethings using skateboard terminology and a shiny metallic dashboard.

It's just these sorts of quirks that keep a relationship interesting.

The Protégé5 captured her imagination a few Sundays ago, on my birthday, when I dragged her over to the Gray-Daniels Mazda dealership off I-20 to see the "cute ute" Mazda Tribute. She, of course, nixed the Tribute because it looked bigger than the Honda CRV, which is her personal standard-bearer for the politically correct SUV.

Then I asked her to look at one other car, the Protégé5. She harrumphed, checking her watch, but I stared her down with that "it's my birthday" glare. Defeated, she swirled her head and stomped over to the Protégé5 to take her requisite gander.

"Hmmmm," she said. I had cupped my face to the glass to peer inside and was surprised to hear her vocalize anything above a growl. "Hmmmm, what?"

"It's kinda cool." she replied. "Looks sort of European." At that moment, I knew we had our next Test Drive car.

Fast forward, and we're roaring down I-20 in a black 2002 model with our salesman, Stan, swinging around in the backseat pretending that he has enough leg room and trying not to be too strident with his directions as I miss the Gallatin exit ... twice. I found the Protégé5 pleasing to drive—a fitting addition given Mazda's "Zoom Zoom" advertising campaign. Stan seemed to approve of my comparing the Protégé5 to a "Miata station wagon." At one point, Ms. D yanked the lever and tossed her seat back into the rear passenger area, testing its nap-ability for our long car trips. She judged it satisfactory, even if Stan found the maneuver somewhat disconcerting.

The Protégé5 is a sporty wagon, with a fun little short-throw shifter and an F16-ish red-glowing cockpit that sets it apart from a typical economy car. "Sporty wagon" should not be confused with "sports car," however—the Protégé5's 2.0-liter four makes 130 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque, with Car and Driver measuring its 0-60 mph time at 9.5 seconds. Cargo space is a bit tight considering the wagon styling—only 20 cubic feet in the hatch—enough for three cat carriers, Ms. D pointed out—which is less than competitors like the Ford Focus or PT Cruiser, but similar to the Pontiac Vibe. And, although the Protégé5 has the SUV market in its sights, it has no real off-road capability, with only 5.5 inches of ground clearance. The 16-inch wheels and low-profile tires are certainly striking, although for Jackson, I wish Mazda offered more conservative 60s or 70s which might take the bumps a bit less harshly.

Mazda has basically read my mind with its feature list. Hideaway cupholders, keyless remote entry, an adjustable driver's seat with good side support and a split-folding rear seat are all standard; a moonroof and 6-CD changer are currently available together in a $690 option package. Even a rearview mirror with compass and thermometer is available as a dealer-installed option—easily my favorite gizmo in any car or truck, particularly for cross-country hikes.

Mazda has sold a car like the Protégé5 in Asian and European markets for years, but it's only now that the young adult crowd in America has seemed to want a little sport and efficiency (25 city/31 highway) along with the utility vehicles. The Protégé5 delivers all three, along with a price ($17,055 MSRP for starters) that's lower than pretty much any SUV, cute or otherwise, and certainly cheaper than any in which Ms. D would ever be seen.

So, the Protégé5 is definitely on our list. Of course, I'd probably never have to sleep on the couch again if I got Ms. D that Porsche. Hmmmm.