Gallonly ES
Menu

Language

EnglishEspañol

Theme

Mazda CX-5 vs Kia Sportage: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Kia Sportage is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,540 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Sportage Hybrid, 42 MPG combined), against $2,490 for the Mazda CX-5 (CX-5, 26 MPG combined). That is $950 a year, or $4,750 over five years.

Both are classed as Small SUVs 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.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Gas
  • Small SUVs

Mazda CX-5

Lowest fuel cost configuration

CX-5

26 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
City
30 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,490

$16.60 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

1 configuration in MY2026

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Hybrid
  • Small SUVs

Kia Sportage

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Sportage Hybrid

42 MPG
Combined
41 MPG
City
44 MPG
Highway

Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.

Annual fuel cost
$1,540

$10.27 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Mazda CX-5$2,490 a year · $16.60 per 100 mi
  • Kia Sportage$1,540 a year · $10.27 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$950

Kia Sportage costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$4,750

$950 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Mazda CX-5 Kia Sportage
Lowest-cost configuration CX-5Sportage Hybrid
Powertrain GasHybrid
Combined rating 26 MPG42 MPG (better)
City rating 24 MPG41 MPG (better)
Highway rating 30 MPG44 MPG (better)
Annual fuel cost $2,490/yr$1,540/yr (better)
Cost per 100 miles $16.60$10.27 (better)
Annual cost range, all configurations $2,490$1,430–$2,740
Configurations in MY2026 16
EPA class Small SUVsSmall SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage
Powertrain Mazda CX-5 Kia Sportage
Gas 26 MPG · $2,490/yr CX-5 28 MPG · $2,330/yr Sportage
Hybrid Not offered in MY2026 42 MPG · $1,540/yr Sportage Hybrid
Plug-in hybrid Not offered in MY2026 36 MPG gas-only · $1,430/yr Sportage Plug-in Hybrid

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.

Mazda CX-5

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Kia Sportage

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,540 vs $2,490
  • Higher combined rating: 42 MPG vs 26 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 41 MPG vs 24 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 44 MPG vs 30 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,330 vs $2,490
  • Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Mazda CX-5 does not
  • Offers plug-in hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Mazda CX-5 does not

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage
Model year Mazda CX-5 Kia Sportage
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 26 MPG $2,490 24–42 MPG $1,430–$2,740
2025 24–28 MPG $2,360–$2,730 25–43 MPG $1,380–$2,650
2024 24–28 MPG $2,350–$2,730 25–43 MPG $1,380–$2,660
2023 24–26 MPG $2,490–$2,730 25–43 MPG $1,380–$2,620
2022 24–26 MPG $2,490–$2,730 21–26 MPG $2,540–$3,060
2021 24–28 MPG $2,370–$2,730 21–26 MPG $2,530–$3,060
2020 24–28 MPG $2,370–$2,730 21–26 MPG $2,550–$3,060
2019 24–29 MPG $2,370–$3,390 21–25 MPG $2,570–$3,090
2018 26–29 MPG $2,370–$3,390 21–26 MPG $2,560–$3,090
2017 26–27 MPG $2,400–$2,540 21–26 MPG $2,560–$3,090
2016 26–29 MPG $2,260–$2,510 21–23 MPG $2,800–$3,060
2015 26–29 MPG $2,260–$2,520 21–23 MPG $2,800–$3,150
2014 26–29 MPG $2,260–$2,500 21–23 MPG $2,800–$3,150
2013 27–29 MPG $2,260–$2,390 21–25 MPG $2,600–$3,110

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 Mazda CX-5 or the Kia Sportage?

The Kia Sportage is cheaper: about $1,540 a year against $2,490 for the Mazda CX-5, a difference of $950 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 Kia Sportage save over five years?

About $4,750 ($950 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 Mazda CX-5 or the Kia Sportage?

The Kia Sportage is rated 42 MPG combined against 26 MPG for the Mazda CX-5. City: 24 MPG vs 41 MPG. Highway: 30 MPG vs 44 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 Mazda CX-5 and the Kia Sportage in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.

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