The Mazda 323 does 27.6 mpg combined (24.6 city, 32 highway), which works out to about $1,391 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mazda 323 engine, compared
The Mazda 323 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 24.6 / 32 | 1986–1995 | $1,391 |
What that actually costs
The Mazda 323 burns a gallon every 27.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 435 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.116 |
| Fuel per year | $1,391 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,955 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$103 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,240 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mazda 323 gives up 7.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 32 out there against 24.6 in town, a 30% drop worth $361 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 | 24.6 mpg | $1,561 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32 mpg | $1,200 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.4 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 323 changed over the years
The 323 peaked in 1995 at 28 mpg (25 city, 33 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1989 at 27 — 1 mpg apart, or $51 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1995 car does 28. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1994 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1993 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1992 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1991 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1990 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1989 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1988 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1987 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1986 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 10 EPA ratings of the Mazda 323 — 1 engine across 1986–1995. 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 $2,240. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mazda 323 get?
27.6 mpg combined on average — 24.6 in the city and 32 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1986–1995.
How much does a Mazda 323 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,391 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,955 over five years, or 0.116 dollars a mile.
Which 323 engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 27.6 mpg.
Is the 323 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world 323 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Mazda 323 is $2,240 against the $1,391 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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