- Newest year: 2001
- Gas
- Small cars
2001 Mazda Protege/Protege MPS MPG & Fuel Cost
4 configurations · 24–28 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 small car configurations, MY2001. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2001 Mazda Protege/Protege MPS at a glance
The 2001 Mazda Protege/Protege MPS has 4 configurations in the EPA database, rated 24–28 MPG combined. The most efficient is the Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD at 28 MPG, which costs about $2,330 a year to fuel at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Annual fuel cost across the configurations runs from $2,330 to $2,720, a $390 difference. The Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD costs less to fuel than 9 of 10 small car configurations rated for MY2001 (class median $3,110 a year).
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
What the 2001 Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$194
$2,330 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$3.88
Per 100 miles
$15.53
Five years
$11,650
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$780less a year
Class median $3,110 a year, MY2001
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2001 Mazda Protege/Protege MPS MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 31 | 28 | $2,330 |
| Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 1.6L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,510 |
| Protege/Protege MPS 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Protege/Protege MPS 2.0L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,720 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD: $3,170 in California and $2,040 in Texas, a $1,130 difference.
- California $3,170
- Washington $2,940
- New York $2,330
- Florida $2,200
- Texas $2,040
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2001 small car models.
Generations
- 2001
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2001 Mazda Protege/Protege MPS get?
EPA rates the 2001 Mazda Protege/Protege MPS at 24–28 MPG combined across 4 configurations. The most efficient, the Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 28 MPG combined (25 city / 31 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2001 Mazda Protege/Protege MPS per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,330 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $2,330–$2,720 a year. That is a $390 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2001 Mazda Protege/Protege MPS 100 miles?
About $15.53 per 100 miles for the Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $15.53 and $18.13 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2001 Mazda Protege/Protege MPS more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD is rated 25 city and 31 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 6 MPG.
How does the 2001 Mazda Protege/Protege MPS compare with other small car configurations?
The Protege/Protege MPS 1.6L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,330 a year to fuel, $780 less than the class median of $3,110, and less than 9 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 309 rated small car configurations for MY2001, not weighted by sales.