The Mazda Mazda3 does 31.0 mpg combined (28.0 city, 35.8 highway), which works out to about $1,239 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.5L 4-cyl does 33.5 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 28.5 — a difference of $201 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Mazda Mazda3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 30.9 / 37.7 | 2011–2021 | $1,146 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 27 / 36.7 | 2024–2026 | $1,251 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 25.5 / 33.7 | 2004–2023 | $1,347 |
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 | $0.103 |
| Fuel per year | $1,239 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,195 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$273 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,033 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 | 28.0 mpg | $1,371 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 35.8 mpg | $1,073 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.8 mpg (28%) | Typical for its type |
How the Mazda3 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 | 27 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2025 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2024 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2023 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2022 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2021 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2020 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2019 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2018 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2017 | 32 / 40 | 1 | $1,097 | |
| 2016 | 33 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2015 | 30 / 40 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2014 | 29 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2013 | 29 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2012 | 29 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2011 | 29 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2010 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2009 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2008 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2007 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2006 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2005 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2004 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 |
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 Mazda3 get?
31.0 mpg combined on average — 28.0 in the city and 35.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2026.
How much does a Mazda Mazda3 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,239 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,195 over five years, or 0.103 dollars a mile.
Which Mazda3 engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 33.5 mpg, against 28.5 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $201 a year.
Is the Mazda3 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 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.