- Newest year: 2026
- Gas
- Two-seaters
2016-2026 Mazda MX-5 MPG & Fuel Cost
11 model years · 29–30 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 10 of 10 two-seater configurations, MY2026. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2016-2026 Mazda MX-5 at a glance
The 2016-2026 Mazda MX-5 covers 11 model years in the EPA database (22 configurations in all), rated 29–30 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2026, costs about $2,730 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD (29 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024, 2025 and 2026; 2020, 2022 and 2023 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 30 MPG, was reached in 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
2016-2026 Mazda MX-5 by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Gas | 29 MPG | $2,730–$2,770 | Ratings changed |
| 2025 | Gas | 29 MPG | $2,730–$2,770 | Ratings changed |
| 2024 | Gas | 29 MPG | $2,730–$2,770 | Ratings changed |
| 2023 | Gas | 29–30 MPG | $2,700–$2,770 | Same EPA ratings as 2022 |
| 2022 | Gas | 29–30 MPG | $2,700–$2,770 | Same EPA ratings as 2021 |
| 2021 | Gas | 29–30 MPG | $2,700–$2,770 | Ratings changed |
| 2020 | Gas | 29–30 MPG | $2,700–$2,770 | Same EPA ratings as 2019 |
| 2019 | Gas | 29–30 MPG | $2,700–$2,770 | Ratings changed |
| 2018 | Gas | 29 MPG | $2,740–$2,770 | Ratings changed |
| 2017 | Gas | 29 MPG | $2,730–$2,770 | Ratings changed |
| 2016 | Gas | 30 MPG | $2,680–$2,710 | First year |
What the 2026 MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$228
$2,730 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.55
Per 100 miles
$18.20
Five years
$13,650
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the two-seater median
$1,470less a year
Class median $4,200 a year, MY2026
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2026 Mazda MX-5 MPG
Versus 2025: The most efficient configuration stays at 29 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,730.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,730 |
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,770 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2025 Mazda MX-5 MPG
29 MPG · $2,730–$2,770/yr
Versus 2024: The most efficient configuration stays at 29 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,730.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,730 |
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,770 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2024 Mazda MX-5 MPG
29 MPG · $2,730–$2,770/yr
Versus 2023: The most efficient configuration moves from 30 to 29 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,700 to $2,730, $30 more.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,730 |
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,770 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2023 Mazda MX-5 MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2022
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2023 Mazda MX-5 as for the 2022 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2022 section above.See 2022
2022 Mazda MX-5 MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2021
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2022 Mazda MX-5 as for the 2021 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2021 section above.See 2021
2021 Mazda MX-5 MPG
29–30 MPG · $2,700–$2,770/yr
Versus 2020: The most efficient configuration stays at 30 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,700.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 35 | 30 | $2,700 |
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,770 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2020 Mazda MX-5 MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2019
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2020 Mazda MX-5 as for the 2019 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2019 section above.See 2019
2019 Mazda MX-5 MPG
29–30 MPG · $2,700–$2,770/yr
Versus 2018: The most efficient configuration moves from 29 to 30 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,740 to $2,700, $40 less.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 35 | 30 | $2,700 |
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,770 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2018 Mazda MX-5 MPG
29 MPG · $2,740–$2,770/yr
Versus 2017: The most efficient configuration stays at 29 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $2,730 to $2,740, $10 more.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,740 |
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,770 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2017 Mazda MX-5 MPG
29 MPG · $2,730–$2,770/yr
Versus 2016: The most efficient configuration moves from 30 to 29 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,680 to $2,730, $50 more.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,730 |
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,770 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2016 Mazda MX-5 MPG
30 MPG · $2,680–$2,710/yr
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 26 | 36 | 30 | $2,680 |
| MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | RWD | 27 | 34 | 30 | $2,710 |
2 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD: $3,260 in California and $2,370 in Texas, a $890 difference.
- California $3,260
- Washington $3,060
- New York $2,700
- Florida $2,490
- Texas $2,370
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2026 two-seater models.
Generations
- 2006-2015 (NC)
- 2016-2026 (ND)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2016-2026 Mazda MX-5 get?
EPA rates the 2016-2026 Mazda MX-5 at 29–30 MPG combined across 22 configurations and 11 model years. The most efficient version, the 2023 MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD, is rated 30 MPG (26 city, 35 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2016-2026 Mazda MX-5?
The MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 30 MPG, in 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The lowest top rating, 29 MPG, was in 2017, 2018, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2016-2026 Mazda MX-5?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024, 2025 and 2026. In 2020, 2022 and 2023 the values repeat the year before.
How does the 2016-2026 Mazda MX-5 compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2006-2015 Mazda MX-5) is rated 23–24 MPG combined and costs $3,300–$3,490 a year to fuel; the 2016-2026 model is rated 29–30 MPG and costs $2,680–$2,770 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Mazda MX-5 per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD costs about $2,730 a year. Across all 2 configurations the cost runs $2,730–$2,770 a year. That is a $40 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2026 Mazda MX-5 100 miles?
About $18.20 per 100 miles for the MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $18.20 and $18.47 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2026 Mazda MX-5 more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD is rated 26 city and 35 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 9 MPG.
How does the 2026 Mazda MX-5 compare with other two-seater configurations?
The MX-5 2.0L 4-cyl RWD costs about $2,730 a year to fuel, $1,470 less than the class median of $4,200, and less than 10 of 10 two-seater configurations. The comparison covers all 40 rated two-seater configurations for MY2026, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2026 Mazda MX-5 different from the 2025 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 29 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,730. EPA lists 2 configurations for 2026 against 2 configurations for 2025. See the 2025 Mazda MX-5 for that year.