The Ford ZX2 does 25.4 mpg combined (22.6 city, 30 highway), which works out to about $1,512 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Ford ZX2 engine, compared
The Ford ZX2 was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 22.6 / 30 | 1999–2003 | $1,512 |
What that actually costs
The Ford ZX2 burns a gallon every 25.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 472 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.126 |
| Fuel per year | $1,512 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,560 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$18 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,410 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Ford ZX2 gives up 7.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 30 out there against 22.6 in town, a 33% drop worth $419 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22.6 mpg | $1,699 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30 mpg | $1,280 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.4 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the ZX2 changed over the years
The ZX2 peaked in 2002 at 26 mpg (23 city, 31 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2003 at 25 — 1 mpg apart, or $59 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2003 car does 25. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 23 / 28 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2002 | 23 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2001 | 23 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2000 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1999 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Ford ZX2 — 1 engine across 1999–2003. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,410. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ford ZX2 get?
25.4 mpg combined on average — 22.6 in the city and 30 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1999–2003.
How much does a Ford ZX2 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,512 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,560 over five years, or 0.126 dollars a mile.
Which ZX2 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 25.4 mpg.
Is the ZX2 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world ZX2 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Ford ZX2 is $2,410 against the $1,512 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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