Tank Ledger

Mazda CX-3 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mazda CX-3 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 2016 to 2021. Across those years its best rated version returned 31 mpg (2016) and its thirstiest returned 29 mpg (2016). The EPA record holds 12 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

31best combined mpg (2016)
29worst combined mpg (2016)
31latest year best (2021)
12configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2016231 mpg29 mpg#26 of 108 (77th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
2017231 mpg29 mpg#28 of 100 (73th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
2018231 mpg29 mpg#25 of 95 (74th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
2019231 mpg29 mpg#21 of 86 (76th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
2020231 mpg29 mpg#19 of 79 (77th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars
2021231 mpg29 mpg#24 of 79 (71th pct)Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mazda CX-3 placed highest in 2020 at #19 of 79, and lowest in 2017 at #28 of 100. It spent 6 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 12 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20212.0L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI273229396.610.3$2,1503036/10
20212.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI293431371.09.6$2,0002897/10
20202.0L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI273229396.610.3$2,1503036/10
20202.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI293431371.09.6$2,0002897/10
20192.0L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI273229396.610.3$2,1503036/10
20192.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI293431371.09.6$2,0002897/10
20182.0L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI273229396.610.3$2,1503086/10
20182.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI293431371.09.6$2,0002907/10
20172.0L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI273229396.610.3$2,1503087/10
20172.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI293431371.09.6$2,0002887/10
20162.0L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI273229396.610.3$2,1503087/10
20162.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) RegularSIDI293531371.09.6$2,0002907/10

What CX-3 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2021 Mazda CX-3 burns 371 to 397 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,113$1,190$77
$3.50/gal$1,298$1,388$90
$4.00/gal$1,484$1,586$102

EPA’s own estimate for the 2021 model year is $2,000 to $2,150 a year in fuel, or $1,250 less than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 31 mpg the Mazda CX-3 is 5 mpg better the median, which is worth about $250 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Mazda nameplates

Every Mazda model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.