The Mazda CX-9 does 21.7 mpg combined (19.7 city, 25.6 highway), which works out to about $1,770 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 26 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 18 — a difference of $656 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.8 mpg.
Every Mazda CX-9 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 | 24 / 28 | 2026–2026 | $1,477 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl Hybrid | 24 / 28 | 2024–2025 | $1,536 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 21.5 / 27.5 | 2016–2023 | $1,613 | |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 16.6 / 23.3 | 2008–2015 | $2,065 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 16 / 22 | 2007–2007 | $2,133 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.147 |
| Fuel per year | $1,770 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,850 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$169 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,963 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 19.7 mpg | $1,949 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25.6 mpg | $1,500 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.9 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the CX-9 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 / 28 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2025 | 24 / 28 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2024 | 24 / 28 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2023 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2022 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2021 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2020 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2019 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2018 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2017 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2016 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2015 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2014 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2013 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2012 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2011 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2010 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2009 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2008 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2007 | 16 / 22 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mazda CX-9 get?
21.7 mpg combined on average — 19.7 in the city and 25.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2007–2026.
How much does a Mazda CX-9 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,770 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,850 over five years, or 0.147 dollars a mile.
Which CX-9 engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid at 26 mpg, against 18 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $656 a year.
Is the CX-9 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.8 mpg, computed across 6170 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.