Tank Ledger

Mazda Speed 3 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Mazda Speed 3 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 2008 to 2013. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (2010) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2008). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.

21best combined mpg (2010)
20worst combined mpg (2008)
21latest year best (2013)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2008120 mpg20 mpg#44 of 70 (38th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars
2009120 mpg20 mpg#45 of 66 (32th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars
2010121 mpg21 mpg#39 of 63 (39th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars
2011121 mpg21 mpg#50 of 71 (30th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars
2012121 mpg21 mpg#58 of 76 (24th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars
2013121 mpg21 mpg#73 of 92 (21th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Mazda Speed 3 placed highest in 2010 at #39 of 63, and lowest in 2013 at #73 of 92. It spent 0 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 6 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20132.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd PremiumSIDI, turbocharged182521547.614.2$3,7004295/10
20122.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd PremiumSIDI, turbocharged182521547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20112.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd PremiumSIDI, turbocharged182521547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20102.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd PremiumPR, turbocharged182521547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20092.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl, turbocharged182520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20082.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium2.3L 4-cyl, turbocharged182620575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a

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.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2009 → 201020 → 21 mpg+1 mpg548 gal

What Speed 3 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2013 Mazda Speed 3 burns 548 to 548 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$1,643$1,643$0
$3.50/gal$1,917$1,917$0
$4.00/gal$2,190$2,190$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2013 model year is $3,700 to $3,700 a year in fuel, or $7,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Midsize Cars

Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 21 mpg the Mazda Speed 3 is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $307 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.