The Mazda Protege does 27.1 mpg combined (24.4 city, 31.6 highway), which works out to about $1,417 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 25.4 mpg.
Every Mazda Protege 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 | 26.3 / 34 | 1995–1998 | $1,302 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 25 / 31.5 | 1990–2001 | $1,396 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 23.3 / 31.3 | 1991–1994 | $1,477 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 22 / 28 | 2002–2003 | $1,600 |
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 | $0.118 |
| Fuel per year | $1,417 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,085 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$95 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,214 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 | 24.4 mpg | $1,574 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.6 mpg | $1,215 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.2 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Protege 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1990 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 |
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 Protege get?
27.1 mpg combined on average — 24.4 in the city and 31.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1990–2003.
How much does a Mazda Protege cost in fuel per year?
About $1,417 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,085 over five years, or 0.118 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 25.4 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.