The Mazda MX-3 does 25 mpg combined (22.5 city, 29.6 highway), which works out to about $1,536 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 28 mpg while 1.8L 6-cyl does 22 — a difference of $374 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mazda MX-3 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mazda MX-3 ranges from 28 down to 22 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $374 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 25 / 33.2 | 1992–1996 | $1,371 | |
| 1.9L 6-cyl | 20 / 26 | 1992–1995 | $1,745 | |
| 1.8L 6-cyl | 20 / 26 | 1996–1996 | $1,745 |
What that actually costs
The Mazda MX-3 burns a gallon every 25 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 480 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.128 |
| Fuel per year | $1,536 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,680 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$42 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,530 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mazda MX-3 gives up 7.1 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 29.6 out there against 22.5 in town, a 32% drop worth $410 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 | 22.5 mpg | $1,707 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.6 mpg | $1,297 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.1 mpg (32%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the MX-3 changed over the years
The MX-3 peaked in 1996 at 25.5 mpg (23 city, 30 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1993 at 24.5 — 1 mpg apart, or $61 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1996 car does 25.5. 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 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 10 EPA ratings of the Mazda MX-3 — 3 engines across 1992–1996. 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 $2,530. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mazda MX-3 get?
25 mpg combined on average — 22.5 in the city and 29.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1992–1996.
How much does a Mazda MX-3 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,536 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,680 over five years, or 0.128 dollars a mile.
Which MX-3 engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 28 mpg, against 22 for the 1.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $374 a year.
Is the MX-3 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world MX-3 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 MX-3 is $2,530 against the $1,536 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 29 and 22 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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