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2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB)
Shown: 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB). Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Newest year: 2005
  • Gas
  • Two-seaters
  • Same as 2004

2000-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata MPG & Fuel Cost

6 model years · 20–24 MPG combined

23 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
City
26 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost · MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD
$3,490

15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)

Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 two-seater configurations, MY2005. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.

2000-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata at a glance

The 2000-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata covers 6 model years in the EPA database (20 configurations in all), rated 20–24 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2005, costs about $3,490 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD (23 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001 and 2004; 2002, 2003 and 2005 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 24 MPG, was reached in 2000.

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

2000-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata by model year

2000-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata: EPA combined rating and yearly fuel cost for each model year
Model yearPowertrainsCombined$/yrEPA ratings
2005 Gas 20–23 MPG $3,490–$4,020 Same EPA ratings as 2004
2004 Gas 20–23 MPG $3,490–$4,020 Ratings changed
2003 Gas 22–23 MPG $3,490–$3,650 Same EPA ratings as 2002
2002 Gas 22–23 MPG $3,490–$3,650 Same EPA ratings as 2001
2001 Gas 22–23 MPG $3,490–$3,650 Ratings changed
2000 Gas 22–24 MPG $2,720–$2,970 First year

What the 2005 MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD costs to drive

Per month

$291

$3,490 a year ÷ 12

Per 25 miles

$5.82

Per 100 miles

$23.27

Five years

$17,450

5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level

vs the two-seater median

$870less a year

Class median $4,360 a year, MY2005

Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata MPG

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

EPA lists the same ratings for the 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata as for the 2004 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2004 section above.See 2004

Gas · 1.8L
Combined
20–23 MPG
Per year
$3,490–$4,020

Gas configurations (4)

2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 20 26 23 $3,490
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 20 26 22 $3,650
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 20 26 22 $3,650
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl turbo RWD 18 24 20 $4,020

4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata MPG

20–23 MPG · $3,490–$4,020/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,490.

Gas · 1.8L
Combined
20–23 MPG
Per year
$3,490–$4,020

Gas configurations (4)

2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 20 26 23 $3,490
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 20 26 22 $3,650
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 20 26 22 $3,650
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl turbo RWD 18 24 20 $4,020

4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata MPG

Same EPA ratings as 2002

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

EPA lists the same ratings for the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata as for the 2002 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2002 section above.See 2002

2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata MPG

Same EPA ratings as 2001

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

EPA lists the same ratings for the 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata as for the 2001 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2001 section above.See 2001

2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata MPG

22–23 MPG · $3,490–$3,650/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration moves from 24 to 23 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,720 to $3,490, $770 more.

Gas · 1.8L
Combined
22–23 MPG
Per year
$3,490–$3,650

Gas configurations (3)

2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 20 26 23 $3,490
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 20 25 22 $3,650
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 20 26 22 $3,650

3 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata MPG

22–24 MPG · $2,720–$2,970/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Gas · 1.8L
Combined
22–24 MPG
Per year
$2,720–$2,970

Gas configurations (3)

2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 22 27 24 $2,720
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 21 26 23 $2,840
MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD Automatic 4-spd 1.8L 4-cyl RWD 20 25 22 $2,970

Fuel cost by state

Yearly cost of the MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD: $4,170 in California and $3,030 in Texas, a $1,140 difference.

Gasoline prices: California: California state average; Washington: Washington state average; New York: New York state average; Florida: Florida state average; Texas: Texas state average (Sep 2026).
Fuel cost in every state

Similar cars

Closest combined MPG among MY2005 two-seater models.

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city / 45% highway · How we calculate

Generations

  • 2000-2005 (NB)

Frequently asked questions

What gas mileage does the 2000-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata get?

EPA rates the 2000-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata at 20–24 MPG combined across 20 configurations and 6 model years. The most efficient version, the 2000 MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD, is rated 24 MPG (22 city, 27 highway).

Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

The MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 24 MPG, in 2000. The lowest top rating, 23 MPG, was in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Yes. Ratings changed in 2001 and 2004. In 2002, 2003 and 2005 the values repeat the year before.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata per year?

Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD costs about $3,490 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $3,490–$4,020 a year. That is a $530 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.

How much does it cost to drive a 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata 100 miles?

About $23.27 per 100 miles for the MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $23.27 and $26.80 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.

Is the 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata more efficient in the city or on the highway?

The MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD is rated 20 city and 26 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.

How does the 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata compare with other two-seater configurations?

The MX-5 Miata 1.8L 4-cyl RWD costs about $3,490 a year to fuel, $870 less than the class median of $4,360, and less than 9 of 10 two-seater configurations. The comparison covers all 69 rated two-seater configurations for MY2005, not weighted by sales.

Is the 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata different from the 2004 model?

No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2004 and 2005: 4 configurations rated 20–23 MPG combined. See the 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata for that year.