The Mazda Protege does 27.5 mpg combined (24.7 city, 32.1 highway), which works out to about $1,396 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 29.5 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 24 — a difference of $298 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Mazda Protege engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Mazda Protege ranges from 29.5 down to 24 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $298 a year across 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 26.3 / 34 | 1995–1998 | $1,302 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 25 / 31.8 | 1990–2001 | $1,391 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 24 / 33 | 1992–1994 | $1,422 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 22 / 28 | 2002–2003 | $1,600 |
What that actually costs
The Mazda Protege burns a gallon every 27.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 436 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.116 |
| Fuel per year | $1,396 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,980 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$98 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,271 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Mazda Protege gives up 7.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 32.1 out there against 24.7 in town, a 30% drop worth $359 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 | 24.7 mpg | $1,555 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32.1 mpg | $1,196 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.4 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Protege changed over the years
The Protege peaked in 1996 at 30 mpg (27 city, 35 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2003 at 24 — 6 mpg apart, or $320 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2003 car does 24. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2002 | 22 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2001 | 25 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2000 | 25 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1999 | 25 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1998 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1997 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1996 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1995 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1994 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1993 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1992 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1991 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1990 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 14 EPA ratings of the Mazda Protege — 4 engines across 1990–2003. 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 $2,271. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mazda Protege get?
27.5 mpg combined on average — 24.7 in the city and 32.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1990–2003.
How much does a Mazda Protege cost in fuel per year?
About $1,396 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,980 over five years, or 0.116 dollars a mile.
Which Protege engine is the most economical?
The 1.5L 4-cyl at 29.5 mpg, against 24 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $298 a year.
Is the Protege good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Protege 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 Protege is $2,271 against the $1,396 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 30 and 24 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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