Mazda's Protege shows that subcompacts aren't the barren transportation devices they used to be. Buying a subcompact just a few years ago meant settling for a spartan, low-quality econobox that lacked power and handled poorly.Today, makers of economy cars know they have to deliver the goods to consumers. Chrysler recently learned this the hard way. Consumers who attended their product clinics said they wanted a five-cent cigar--an economy car that was cheap, inexpensive, economical. Chrysler listened to its customers and designed bare-bones Neons that retailed for less than $10,000. It was a mistake. Few bought these inexpensive models. Instead, people bought small cars that offered quality and features that approached the levels of larger, more expensive cars.Click here to read more