Toyota Corolla vs Mazda3: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Toyota Corolla is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,310 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Corolla Hybrid, 50 MPG combined), against $2,160 for the Mazda3 (Mazda3 4-Door, 30 MPG combined). That is $850 a year, or $4,250 over five years.
A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. 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.
- Hybrid
- Small cars
Toyota Corolla
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Corolla Hybrid
$8.73 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
12 configurations in MY2026
- Gas
- Midsize cars
Mazda3
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Mazda3 4-Door
$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
- Toyota Corolla$1,310 a year · $8.73 per 100 mi
- Mazda3$2,160 a year · $14.40 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$850
Toyota Corolla costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$4,250
$850 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Toyota Corolla | Mazda3 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Corolla Hybrid | Mazda3 4-Door |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Gas |
| Combined rating | 50 MPG (better) | 30 MPG |
| City rating | 53 MPG (better) | 27 MPG |
| Highway rating | 46 MPG (better) | 36 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,310/yr (better) | $2,160/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $8.73 (better) | $14.40 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,310–$3,600 | $2,160–$2,480 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 12 | 7 |
| EPA class | Small cars | Midsize cars |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Toyota Corolla | Mazda3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 35 MPG · $1,870/yr Corolla (1-mode TM) | 30 MPG · $2,160/yr Mazda3 4-Door |
| Hybrid | 50 MPG · $1,310/yr Corolla Hybrid | 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.
Toyota Corolla
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,310 vs $2,160
- Higher combined rating: 50 MPG vs 30 MPG
- Higher city rating: 53 MPG vs 27 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 46 MPG vs 36 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $1,870 vs $2,160
- Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Mazda3 does not
Mazda3
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Year by year
| Model year | Toyota Corolla | Mazda3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 22–50 MPG | $1,310–$3,600 | 26–30 MPG | $2,160–$2,480 |
| 2025 | 22–50 MPG | $1,310–$3,600 | 26–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,480 |
| 2024 | 24–50 MPG | $1,310–$3,360 | 26–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,480 |
| 2023 | 24–50 MPG | $1,310–$3,360 | 26–31 MPG | $2,100–$2,480 |
| 2022 | 31–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,090 | 26–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,480 |
| 2021 | 31–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,110 | 26–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,480 |
| 2020 | 31–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,080 | 27–30 MPG | $2,160–$2,420 |
| 2019 | 30–36 MPG | $1,830–$2,150 | 27–30 MPG | $2,160–$2,420 |
| 2018 | 30–34 MPG | $1,920–$2,200 | 28–32 MPG | $2,070–$2,350 |
| 2017 | 30–34 MPG | $1,920–$2,200 | 28–32 MPG | $2,070–$2,350 |
| 2016 | 30–34 MPG | $1,930–$2,150 | 29–33 MPG | $1,950–$2,270 |
| 2015 | 30–34 MPG | $1,930–$2,150 | 29–33 MPG | $1,950–$2,270 |
| 2014 | 30–34 MPG | $1,930–$2,150 | 30–33 MPG | $1,960–$2,150 |
| 2013 | 29 MPG | $2,220–$2,290 | 23–32 MPG | $2,040–$2,830 |
| 2012 | 29 MPG | $2,220–$2,270 | 23–32 MPG | $2,040–$2,830 |
| 2011 | 24–30 MPG | $2,170–$2,670 | 23–28 MPG | $2,370–$2,830 |
| 2010 | 25–30 MPG | $2,180–$2,610 | 24–28 MPG | $2,330–$2,720 |
| 2009 | 25–30 MPG | $2,180–$2,610 | 24–27 MPG | $2,420–$2,720 |
| 2008 | 29–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,250 | 24–27 MPG | $2,420–$2,720 |
| 2007 | 29–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,250 | 21–27 MPG | $2,420–$3,830 |
| 2006 | 25–31 MPG | $2,110–$3,210 | 24–27 MPG | $2,420–$2,720 |
| 2005 | 25–31 MPG | $2,110–$3,210 | 23–27 MPG | $2,420–$2,840 |
| 2004 | 28–31 MPG | $2,110–$2,330 | 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 Toyota Corolla or the Mazda3?
The Toyota Corolla is cheaper: about $1,310 a year against $2,160 for the Mazda3, a difference of $850 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 Toyota Corolla save over five years?
About $4,250 ($850 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 Toyota Corolla or the Mazda3?
The Toyota Corolla is rated 50 MPG combined against 30 MPG for the Mazda3. City: 53 MPG vs 27 MPG. Highway: 46 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 Toyota Corolla and the Mazda3 in the same class?
The EPA classes the Toyota Corolla as Small cars and the Mazda3 as Midsize cars, so they are listed as rivals.
Explore these cars
- Toyota Corolla: ratings, trims and every model year
- Mazda3: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Toyota Corolla: all configurations
- 2026 Mazda3: all configurations
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