2016 Mazda CX-5 MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2016 Mazda CX-5 is rated 26 to 29 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual.

EPA fuel economy

2016 Mazda CX-5 · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

29MPG combined

26 city 34 highway

$2,150 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score7/10

2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual

Best version saves $250 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,150 to $2,400 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2015.

One of the CX-5 years to avoid

The 2016 drew 187 owner complaints in its first three years, against 62 for a typical CX-5 year (42 for a typical year since 2016): 3 times as many.

Years to avoid: 2014 and 2016; best years: 2017 and 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every CX-5 year ranked The 2016 CX-5's recalls and problems

Every 2016 CX-5 version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual Best EPA listing: CX-5 2WD	29 mpg	26 / 34	$2,150
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: CX-5 2WD	29 mpg	26 / 33	$2,150
2.5L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: CX-5 4WD	26 mpg	24 / 29	$2,400

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,069	$172	$10,345
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,069	$172	$10,345
2.5L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$2,308	$192	$11,538

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Mazda CX-5 MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 26 to 29 mpg (every year from 2013 to 2026); highest in 2013. Diesel: 29 mpg (2018 to 2019).

Best gas version
Best diesel version

2016: gas 29 mpg · diesel not offered

Show as a table

Mazda CX-5 best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best diesel version
2013	29	–
2014	29	–
2015	29	–
2016	29	–
2017	27	–
2018	28	29
2019	28	29
2020	28	–
2021	28	–
2022	26	–
2023	26	–
2024	28	–
2025	28	–
2026	26	–

Every CX-5 year's ratings in one table

How the 2016 CX-5 compares

2016 compact SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2016 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota RAV4 Best: hybrid	32 mpg	26 mpg	$1,950
Honda CR-V Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Mazda CX-5 This page Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Outback Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Forester Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Ford Escape Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Kia Sportage Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$3,350

2016 CX-5 recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 512 owner complaints for the 2016 CX-5.

Owners most often describe headlight problems (108 complaints, 21%), then a cracked windshield (27). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2016 CX-5 recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2016 Mazda CX-5's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 3 mpg: the 2.5L 4-cyl gets 29 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 26 with 4WD.

Does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2016 Mazda CX-5 version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2016 CX-5's MPG compare with the 2015?

For 2016, the best gas version is rated 29 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.