Mazda Protege MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mazda Protege has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 9 model years, from 1992 to 2000. Across those years its best rated version returned 30 mpg (1995) and its thirstiest returned 22 mpg (1994). The EPA record holds 38 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mazda Protege placed highest in 1995 at #1 of 60, and lowest in 1999 at #12 of 50. It spent 9 of its 9 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 38 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Protege fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2000 Mazda Protege burns 426 to 500 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.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2000 model year is $2,300 to $2,700 a year in fuel, or $750 more 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 27 mpg the Mazda Protege is 1 mpg better the median, which is worth about $57 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Compact Cars 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.