The Mazda CX-5 does 27.9 mpg combined (25.6 city, 31.5 highway), which works out to about $1,376 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 29 mpg while 2.5L 4-cyl does 27.3 — a difference of $83 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mazda CX-5 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mazda CX-5 ranges from 29 down to 27.3 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $83 a year across 3 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 | 26 / 34 | 2013–2015 | $1,324 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 28 / 31 | 2018–2019 | $1,324 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 24.9 / 30.8 | 2016–2026 | $1,407 |
What that actually costs
The Mazda CX-5 burns a gallon every 27.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 430 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.115 |
| Fuel per year | $1,376 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,880 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$118 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,307 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mazda CX-5 gives up 5.9 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 31.5 out there against 25.6 in town, a 23% drop worth $281 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 | 25.6 mpg | $1,500 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.5 mpg | $1,219 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.9 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the CX-5 changed over the years
The CX-5 peaked in 2019 at 29 mpg (28 city, 31 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2026 at 26 — 3 mpg apart, or $153 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2025 | 26 / 30 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2024 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2023 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2022 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 25 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2020 | 25 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2019 | 28 / 31 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2018 | 28 / 31 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2017 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2016 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2015 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2014 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2013 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 14 EPA ratings of the Mazda CX-5 — 3 engines across 2013–2026. 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 $2,307. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mazda CX-5 get?
27.9 mpg combined on average — 25.6 in the city and 31.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2013–2026.
How much does a Mazda CX-5 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,376 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,880 over five years, or 0.115 dollars a mile.
Which CX-5 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 29 mpg, against 27.3 for the 2.5L 4-cyl — a difference of about $83 a year.
Is the CX-5 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-5 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-5 is $2,307 against the $1,376 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 29 and 26 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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