Mazda CX-50 MPG by year — every rating on record
The Mazda CX-50 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 2023 to 2026. Across those years its best rated version returned 38 mpg (2025) and its thirstiest returned 25 mpg (2023). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 27 mpg | 25 mpg | #66 of 166 (61th pct) | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 2024 | 2 | 27 mpg | 25 mpg | #78 of 176 (56th pct) | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 2025 | 3 | 38 mpg | 25 mpg | #57 of 194 (71th pct) | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 2026 | 3 | 38 mpg | 25 mpg | #66 of 188 (65th pct) | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mazda CX-50 placed highest in 2025 at #57 of 194, and lowest in 2024 at #78 of 176. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 10 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 23 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355 | 5/10 |
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | SIDI | 24 | 30 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 344 | 5/10 |
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (variable gear ratios) Regular | SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, Hybrid, start-stop | 39 | 37 | 38 | 302.6 | 7.8 | $1,650 | 233 | 7/10 |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 23 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355 | 5/10 |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | SIDI | 25 | 31 | 28 | 410.7 | 10.6 | $2,250 | 322 | 6/10 |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (variable gear ratios) Regular | SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, Hybrid, start-stop | 39 | 37 | 38 | 302.6 | 7.8 | $1,650 | 233 | 7/10 |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 23 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 356 | 5/10 |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | SIDI | 24 | 30 | 27 | 425.9 | 11.0 | $2,300 | 335 | 5/10 |
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 23 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 356 | 5/10 |
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | SIDI | 24 | 30 | 27 | 425.9 | 11.0 | $2,300 | 335 | 5/10 |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 → 2025 | 27 → 38 mpg | +11 mpg | 303 gal |
What CX-50 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2026 Mazda CX-50 burns 303 to 460 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 price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $908 | $1,380 | $472 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,059 | $1,610 | $551 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,211 | $1,840 | $629 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2026 model year is $1,650 to $2,500 a year in fuel, or $1,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Across the 311 nameplates EPA classifies as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, the median best combined rating is 27 mpg. At 38 mpg the Mazda CX-50 is 11 mpg better the median, which is worth about $432 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Mazda nameplates
Every Mazda model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.