The Mazda CX-3 does 30.3 mpg combined (28.3 city, 33.7 highway), which works out to about $1,267 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 31 mpg while 2.5L 4-cyl does 26 — a difference of $238 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mazda CX-3 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mazda CX-3 ranges from 31 down to 26 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $238 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 29 / 34.2 | 2016–2021 | $1,239 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 24 / 31 | 2022–2022 | $1,477 |
What that actually costs
The Mazda CX-3 burns a gallon every 30.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 396 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.106 |
| Fuel per year | $1,267 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,335 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$227 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,050 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mazda CX-3 gives up 5.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 33.7 out there against 28.3 in town, a 19% drop worth $218 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 | 28.3 mpg | $1,357 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.7 mpg | $1,139 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.4 mpg (19%) | Typical for its type |
How the CX-3 changed over the years
The CX-3 peaked in 2021 at 31 mpg (29 city, 34 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2022 at 26 — 5 mpg apart, or $238 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2022 car does 26. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 29 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2020 | 29 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2019 | 29 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2018 | 29 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2017 | 29 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2016 | 29 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 7 EPA ratings of the Mazda CX-3 — 2 engines across 2016–2022. 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 $2,050. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mazda CX-3 get?
30.3 mpg combined on average — 28.3 in the city and 33.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2016–2022.
How much does a Mazda CX-3 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,267 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,335 over five years, or 0.106 dollars a mile.
Which CX-3 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 31 mpg, against 26 for the 2.5L 4-cyl — a difference of about $238 a year.
Is the CX-3 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 CX-3 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 CX-3 is $2,050 against the $1,267 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 31 and 26 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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