Mazda 3 5-Door 2WD
28.5 MPG The 2026 Mazda 3 5-Door 2WD is EPA-rated at 28.5 MPG combined (25.5 city / 34 highway). Over 15,000 miles a year that is about 526 gallons, $1684 a year in fuel, or $0.112 per mile at $3.20/gal.
Across its full 2019–2026 run it averages 29.2 MPG, falling by 1 MPG over 8 model years.
Running cost at different fuel prices and mileages
The figure everyone actually wants, and the one the EPA does not publish — because it depends on a fuel price no agency will commit to.
| Fuel price | Per mile | 10,000 mi/yr | 15,000 mi/yr | 20,000 mi/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2.50/gal | $0.088 | $877 | $1316 | $1754 |
| $3.00/gal | $0.105 | $1053 | $1579 | $2105 |
| $3.20/gal | $0.112 | $1123 | $1684 | $2246 |
| $3.50/gal | $0.123 | $1228 | $1842 | $2456 |
| $4.00/gal | $0.140 | $1404 | $2105 | $2807 |
| $4.50/gal | $0.158 | $1579 | $2368 | $3158 |
| $5.00/gal | $0.175 | $1754 | $2632 | $3509 |
Every model year
| Year | Combined | City | Highway | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Trims |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28.5 MPG | 25.5 | 34 | $2175 | 308 | 2 |
| 2025 | 30 MPG | 26.5 | 35.5 | $2100 | 295 | 2 |
| 2024 | 30 MPG | 26.5 | 35.5 | $2100 | 295 | 2 |
| 2023 | 30 MPG | 26.5 | 35.5 | $2100 | 294 | 2 |
| 2022 | 28 MPG | 25 | 33.5 | $2225 | 315 | 2 |
| 2021 | 28 MPG | 25 | 33.5 | $2225 | 314 | 2 |
| 2020 | 29.5 MPG | 25.5 | 35 | $2125 | 300 | 2 |
| 2019 | 29.5 MPG | 25.5 | 35 | $2125 | 301 | 2 |
Where a model year offered several engines or drivetrains, the figure is the average across all EPA-tested trims that year — the trim count is shown so you can see how much averaging is involved.
How it compares in its class
Among the 261 midsize cars models tracked here, the Mazda 3 5-Door 2WD ranks 60 on current figures, against a class average of 27.2 MPG.
Closest more-efficient alternatives in the same class: Audi A5 Sportback quattro (29), Buick LaCrosse eAssist (29), MINI Cooper SE Countryman All4 (29), Nissan Altima SR (29), Subaru Impreza 4-Door (29).
Tailpipe CO₂ is rated at 308 grams per mile, which works out to roughly 4.6 tonnes a year at 15,000 miles.
Questions
What MPG does the Mazda 3 5-Door 2WD get?
The 2026 Mazda 3 5-Door 2WD is rated at 28.5 MPG combined by the EPA — 25.5 city and 34 highway. Across all 8 model years in the database it averages 29.2 MPG, ranging from 27 to 30 depending on year and trim.
How much does a Mazda 3 5-Door 2WD cost in fuel per year?
At 28.5 MPG and 15,000 miles a year, it burns about 526 gallons — roughly $1684 a year with fuel at $3.20 a gallon, or $0.112 per mile. The EPA's own published annual figure for the 2026 model is $2175.
Has the Mazda 3 5-Door 2WD become more efficient over time?
No — it has actually gone backwards, from 29.5 MPG in 2019 to 28.5 in 2026. That usually reflects the model growing heavier, more powerful, or moving upmarket rather than the engineering getting worse.
Is the Mazda 3 5-Door 2WD efficient for its class?
It ranks 60 of 261 in the Midsize Cars class on current figures, against a class average of 27.2 MPG. That is 1.3 better than typical for the class.
EPA test figures from fueleconomy.gov. Cost per mile and annual fuel spend are computed at a reference price of $3.20 per gallon — use your own price. Estimates based on official test figures and average fuel prices. Real-world consumption varies with driving style, load, terrain and maintenance.