The Mazda MX-5 does 25.4 mpg combined (22.7 city, 29.4 highway), which works out to about $1,512 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 26.9 mpg while 1.8L 4-cyl does 23 — a difference of $242 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Mazda MX-5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 24.1 / 31.3 | 2006–2026 | $1,428 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 21.5 / 27.5 | 1990–1993 | $1,600 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 20.5 / 26.3 | 1994–2005 | $1,670 |
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 | $0.126 |
| Fuel per year | $1,512 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,560 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$0 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,889 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 | 29.4 mpg | $1,306 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.7 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the MX-5 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 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2025 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2024 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2023 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2022 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2021 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2020 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2019 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2018 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2017 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2016 | 26 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2015 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2014 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2013 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2012 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2011 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2010 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2009 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2008 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2007 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2006 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2005 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2004 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2003 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2002 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2001 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2000 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1999 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1997 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1996 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 |
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-5 get?
25.4 mpg combined on average — 22.7 in the city and 29.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1990–2026.
How much does a Mazda MX-5 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,512 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,560 over five years, or 0.126 dollars a mile.
Which MX-5 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 26.9 mpg, against 23 for the 1.8L 4-cyl — a difference of about $242 a year.
Is the MX-5 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.