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Honda Civic vs Mazda3: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Honda Civic is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,330 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Civic 4Dr, 49 MPG combined), against $2,160 for the Mazda3 (Mazda3 4-Door, 30 MPG combined). That is $830 a year, or $4,150 over five years.

Both are classed as Midsize cars by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

Illustration: Midsize cars
  • Hybrid
  • Midsize cars

Honda Civic

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Civic 4Dr

49 MPG
Combined
50 MPG
City
47 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,330

$8.87 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

7 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Midsize cars
  • Gas
  • Midsize cars

Mazda3

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Mazda3 4-Door

30 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
City
36 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,160

$14.40 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

7 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Honda Civic$1,330 a year · $8.87 per 100 mi
  • Mazda3$2,160 a year · $14.40 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$830

Honda Civic costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$4,150

$830 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Honda Civic and Mazda3 compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Honda Civic Mazda3
Lowest-cost configuration Civic 4DrMazda3 4-Door
Powertrain HybridGas
Combined rating 49 MPG (better)30 MPG
City rating 50 MPG (better)27 MPG
Highway rating 47 MPG (better)36 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,330/yr (better)$2,160/yr
Cost per 100 miles $8.87 (better)$14.40
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,330–$3,300$2,160–$2,480
Configurations in MY2026 77
EPA class Midsize carsMidsize cars

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Honda Civic and Mazda3
Powertrain Honda Civic Mazda3
Gas 36 MPG · $1,810/yr Civic 4Dr 30 MPG · $2,160/yr Mazda3 4-Door
Hybrid 49 MPG · $1,330/yr Civic 4Dr Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Honda Civic

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,330 vs $2,160
  • Higher combined rating: 49 MPG vs 30 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 50 MPG vs 27 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 47 MPG vs 36 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $1,810 vs $2,160
  • Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Mazda3 does not

Mazda3

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Honda Civic and Mazda3
Model year Honda Civic Mazda3
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 24–49 MPG $1,330–$3,300 26–30 MPG $2,160–$2,480
2025 24–49 MPG $1,330–$3,300 26–31 MPG $2,110–$2,480
2024 24–36 MPG $1,800–$3,300 26–31 MPG $2,110–$2,480
2023 24–36 MPG $1,800–$3,300 26–31 MPG $2,100–$2,480
2022 29–36 MPG $1,800–$2,560 26–31 MPG $2,110–$2,480
2021 25–36 MPG $1,830–$3,270 26–31 MPG $2,110–$2,480
2020 25–36 MPG $1,830–$3,270 27–30 MPG $2,160–$2,420
2019 25–36 MPG $1,830–$3,280 27–30 MPG $2,160–$2,420
2018 25–36 MPG $1,830–$3,280 28–32 MPG $2,070–$2,350
2017 25–36 MPG $1,830–$3,270 28–32 MPG $2,070–$2,350
2016 30–35 MPG $1,860–$2,160 29–33 MPG $1,950–$2,270
2015 25–44 MPG $1,490–$3,190 29–33 MPG $1,950–$2,270
2014 25–44 MPG $1,490–$3,190 30–33 MPG $1,960–$2,150
2013 25–44 MPG $1,500–$3,220 23–32 MPG $2,040–$2,830
2012 25–44 MPG $1,500–$3,220 23–32 MPG $2,040–$2,830
2011 24–41 MPG $1,590–$3,360 23–28 MPG $2,370–$2,830
2010 24–42 MPG $1,560–$3,360 24–28 MPG $2,330–$2,720
2009 24–42 MPG $1,560–$3,350 24–27 MPG $2,420–$2,720
2008 24–42 MPG $1,560–$3,350 24–27 MPG $2,420–$2,720
2007 23–42 MPG $1,560–$3,490 21–27 MPG $2,420–$3,830
2006 23–42 MPG $1,560–$3,490 24–27 MPG $2,420–$2,720
2005 25–41 MPG $1,590–$2,610 23–27 MPG $2,420–$2,840
2004 25–41 MPG $1,590–$2,610 23–27 MPG $2,420–$2,840

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Honda Civic or the Mazda3?

The Honda Civic is cheaper: about $1,330 a year against $2,160 for the Mazda3, a difference of $830 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Honda Civic save over five years?

About $4,150 ($830 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Honda Civic or the Mazda3?

The Honda Civic is rated 49 MPG combined against 30 MPG for the Mazda3. City: 50 MPG vs 27 MPG. Highway: 47 MPG vs 36 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Honda Civic and the Mazda3 in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Midsize cars.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles