The Mazda MX-3 does 25.2 mpg combined (22.7 city, 29.6 highway), which works out to about $1,524 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 27.9 mpg while 1.8L 6-cyl does 22 — a difference of $369 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Mazda MX-3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 24.9 / 32.7 | 1989–1996 | $1,376 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 21 / 26 | 1991–1991 | $1,670 | |
| 1.9L 6-cyl | 20 / 26 | 1992–1995 | $1,745 | |
| 1.8L 6-cyl | 20 / 26 | 1996–1996 | $1,745 |
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 | $0.127 |
| Fuel per year | $1,524 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,620 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$12 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,500 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 | 22.7 mpg | $1,692 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.6 mpg | $1,297 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.9 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the MX-3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 23 / 30 | 2 | $1,506 | |
| 1995 | 22.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 1994 | 22.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 1993 | 22 / 29 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 1992 | 22.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 1991 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1990 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1989 | 24 / 30 | 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 MX-3 get?
25.2 mpg combined on average — 22.7 in the city and 29.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–1996.
How much does a Mazda MX-3 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,524 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,620 over five years, or 0.127 dollars a mile.
Which MX-3 engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 27.9 mpg, against 22 for the 1.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $369 a year.
Is the MX-3 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below 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.