The Mazda CX-5 is the driver’s choice among compact SUVs, prized for sharp handling and an upscale feel. If it is on your list, the running-cost question is fair: how much does a Mazda CX-5 cost in gas per year?
It leans a little more toward driving fun than outright efficiency, but the CX-5’s fuel bill stays reasonable for a premium-feeling crossover. Here is the real annual cost, broken down by mileage.
How much does a Mazda CX-5 cost in gas per year?
Your annual fuel bill comes down to three things: how far you drive, what you pay per gallon, and the vehicle’s MPG. The Mazda CX-5 returns about 26 MPG, so here is what a year of driving costs at three common mileage levels, using the current national average of roughly $3.91 a gallon.
| Miles driven per year | Annual gas cost | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 miles | $1,504 | $125 |
| 12,000 miles | $1,805 | $150 |
| 15,000 miles | $2,256 | $188 |
So the typical driver spends around $2,030 a year, or about $169 a month, on fuel in a Mazda CX-5. That works out to roughly $0.15 per mile in fuel alone. Pay less than the national average where you live and the bill drops; at $3.50 a gallon the 13,500-mile figure falls to about $1,817, while at $4.50 it climbs to around $2,337. Check what you actually pay on the live gas price tracker and plug it into the gas cost calculator for a number matched to your driving.
Zoom out and the figure gets your attention. Over five years, a typical Mazda CX-5 driver spends roughly $10,151 on fuel alone, and a decade of ownership close to double that. That is real money, which is exactly why fuel cost deserves a place in the buying decision alongside the sticker price and the monthly payment. A thriftier trim, engine, or drivetrain quietly pays you back at every fill-up.
What kind of MPG does the Mazda CX-5 really get?
Recent Mazda CX-5 models earn an EPA combined rating of around 26 MPG with the standard 2.5-liter engine, roughly 24 in the city and 30 on the highway, with standard all-wheel drive on most trims. The available turbocharged engine trades a little economy for strong performance, landing a couple of MPG lower. Mazda tunes the CX-5 to reward driving, which slightly favors engagement over maximum efficiency.
Keep in mind that the window-sticker number is a lab figure. Real-world mileage usually lands 10 to 15% lower, shaped by short trips, cold starts, aggressive acceleration, roof racks, and under-inflated tires. The honest way to know your Mazda CX-5’s number is to measure it: fill up, note the odometer, and run the math through the MPG calculator, then confirm the gallons any trip will use with the fuel consumption calculator.
Monthly, weekly, and per-mile cost
Big annual numbers are easy to ignore, so break them down. At the typical 13,500 miles a year, a Mazda CX-5 runs about $169 a month and roughly $39 a week in fuel. On a per-mile basis that is about $0.15, but fuel is only part of what a mile really costs. Tires, oil, brakes, and depreciation stack on top, which is why the cost per mile calculator gives a truer picture of ownership. If most of your miles are a daily commute, the commute cost calculator shows exactly what that drive adds up to each month.
Here is a concrete example. A 30-mile round-trip commute five days a week comes to about 7,800 miles a year, which in a Mazda CX-5 means roughly $1,173 in commuting fuel alone, before you drive anywhere on the weekend. Small changes to that daily routine, carpooling twice a week, trimming one errand trip, or working from home a day, translate straight into fuel savings you can feel.
What changes your Mazda CX-5’s yearly fuel bill
Miles driven. This is the biggest lever by far. A 20,000-mile-a-year driver spends nearly double what a 10,000-mile driver does in the same vehicle, no matter how efficient it is.
Local fuel prices. Where you live matters enormously. The same Mazda CX-5 costs hundreds more per year in high-price states like California than in cheaper states. Compare your state on the gas prices by state page to see where you fall.
City versus highway. The Mazda CX-5’s highway number beats its city number, so a driver stuck in stop-and-go traffic burns more than the combined rating suggests. Smooth, steady highway miles are the cheapest kind, and in dollar terms a mostly-city driver can spend a few hundred dollars a year more than a highway commuter in the very same vehicle.
Fuel grade. Good news here: the Mazda CX-5 is designed to run on regular unleaded, not premium, so you are already buying the cheapest grade at the pump. Cars that require premium can cost hundreds more a year, so sticking with regular where the manufacturer allows it is a saving many drivers overlook.
Driving style and upkeep. Hard acceleration, speeding, and a neglected air filter or soft tires all quietly raise the bill. Gentle inputs and basic maintenance protect the MPG you paid for.
How the Mazda CX-5 compares
Among compact SUVs, the CX-5 sits a touch below the most efficient rivals, partly because all-wheel drive is standard on many trims and partly because Mazda prioritizes driving feel. The difference is modest, though, and many buyers happily accept a slightly higher fuel bill for the CX-5’s polish and handling.
If you are curious whether an electric vehicle would be cheaper to run than the Mazda CX-5, the EV vs gas by state tool lays the two side by side using your local energy and fuel prices, which is the only fair way to compare.
How to cut your Mazda CX-5’s fuel costs
- The standard engine is more efficient than the turbo; choose it if fuel cost matters most.
- Keep roof rails clear of unused cargo boxes to protect highway MPG.
- Buy on cheaper days with our best day to buy gas guide and a gas price app.
- Ease off spirited driving in daily use; the CX-5 tempts you, but it costs fuel.
- Compare your state on the gas prices by state page.
Does fuel economy matter when buying a Mazda CX-5?
More than most buyers realize. Two versions of the same vehicle with different MPG can differ by hundreds of dollars a year at the pump, and over a typical ownership period that gap can rival the price difference between trims or engines. When you compare a Mazda CX-5 against rivals, or one Mazda CX-5 engine against another, it pays to look past the monthly payment and fold the yearly fuel cost into the total. A slightly pricier but thriftier version often costs less to own once the fuel is counted.
This is also where a hybrid, a smaller engine, or an efficient drivetrain earns its keep. Run the versions you are considering through the gas cost calculator side by side, and if you are open to going electric, the EV vs gas by state tool shows how charging would compare with fueling a Mazda CX-5 where you live.
So, is the Mazda CX-5 cheap to run?
Reasonably so for a premium-feeling compact SUV. The CX-5 is not the absolute cheapest crossover to fuel, but its running costs are fair, and the driving experience and cabin quality are what justify the small trade-off for most owners.
How we calculate these figures
The math is transparent: annual gas cost = (miles driven ÷ combined MPG) × price per gallon. We use the Mazda CX-5’s combined fuel-economy rating from the EPA’s official ratings for recent model years, an assumed 13,500 miles a year (close to the U.S. average), and the current national average pump price of about $3.91 a gallon. Change any input and the total changes with it.
Pump prices trace to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) weekly retail survey, refreshed on our state price pages every business day. For your exact trim, engine, and model year, confirm the rating and measure your real-world MPG with the MPG calculator. Read how we source everything on our methodology and sources pages.
Figures reviewed by Alex Morgan · Last reviewed: July 12, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Mazda CX-5 cost in gas per year?
About $2,030 a year for a typical 13,500-mile driver at roughly 26 MPG and the national average near $3.91 a gallon. The turbo engine costs a bit more.
What is the Mazda CX-5’s MPG?
Recent CX-5s earn around 26 MPG combined with the 2.5-liter engine (about 24 city, 30 highway). The turbo is a couple lower.
How much does a Mazda CX-5 cost in gas per month?
Roughly $169 a month for a typical driver, depending on mileage and local prices.
Is the Mazda CX-5 good on gas?
It is about average for a compact SUV, slightly behind the most efficient rivals because all-wheel drive is common and Mazda tunes for driving feel.
Does the CX-5 take regular gas?
Yes, the CX-5 runs on regular unleaded, though the turbo makes a bit more power on premium.
The bottom line
Expect a Mazda CX-5 to cost around $2,030 a year in fuel for a typical driver, or about $169 a month, with your real number rising or falling on your mileage and local prices. On running costs, the Mazda CX-5 is about average for its class, and a few simple habits shave even more off the total.
Want your exact figure? Run your mileage through the gas cost calculator and check today’s prices in your state. To see what fuel-saving habits are worth, try the fuel savings calculator.