The Mazda CX-50 does 30.7 mpg combined (29.2 city, 32.5 highway), which works out to about $1,251 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid does 38 mpg while 2.5L 4-cyl does 27 — a difference of $411 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mazda CX-50 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mazda CX-50 ranges from 38 down to 27 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $411 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 39 / 37 | 2025–2026 | $1,011 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 24.3 / 30.3 | 2023–2026 | $1,422 |
What that actually costs
The Mazda CX-50 burns a gallon every 30.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 391 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.104 |
| Fuel per year | $1,251 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,255 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$243 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,083 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mazda CX-50 gives up 3.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 32.5 out there against 29.2 in town, a 11% drop worth $133 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 | 29.2 mpg | $1,315 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32.5 mpg | $1,182 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.3 mpg (11%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the CX-50 changed over the years
The CX-50 peaked in 2025 at 33 mpg (32 city, 34 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2024 at 27 — 6 mpg apart, or $258 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 32. 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 | 31.5 / 33.5 | 2 | $1,200 | |
| 2025 | 32 / 34 | 2 | $1,164 | |
| 2024 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2023 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,422 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Mazda CX-50 — 2 engines across 2023–2026. 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 $2,083. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mazda CX-50 get?
30.7 mpg combined on average — 29.2 in the city and 32.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2023–2026.
How much does a Mazda CX-50 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,251 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,255 over five years, or 0.104 dollars a mile.
Which CX-50 engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid at 38 mpg, against 27 for the 2.5L 4-cyl — a difference of about $411 a year.
Is the CX-50 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-50 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-50 is $2,083 against the $1,251 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 38 and 26 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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