2018 Mazda CX-5 MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 gets up to 28 mpg combined with a gas engine and up to 29 mpg with the diesel, across 4 EPA-tested versions.

EPA fuel economy

2018 Mazda CX-5 · 4 EPA-tested versions

Best gas version

28MPG combined

25 city 31 highway

$2,200 a year to fuel15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas)

Fuel economy score6/10

2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best diesel version

29MPG combined

28 city 31 highway

$3,250 a year to fuel15,000 miles a year at EPA's $6.13 a gallon (diesel)

Fuel economy score6/10

2.2L turbo 4-cyl diesel · FWD · 6-speed automatic

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

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

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,200 to $3,350 a year. New for 2018: a diesel version.

About a typical CX-5 year

The 2018 drew 62 owner complaints in its first three years, against 62 for a typical CX-5 year (42 for a typical year since 2016).

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 2018 CX-5's recalls and problems

Every 2018 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
Gas
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: CX-5 2WD	28 mpg	25 / 31	$2,200
2.5L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: CX-5 4WD	26 mpg	24 / 30	$2,400
Diesel
2.2L turbo 4-cyl diesel · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: CX-5 2WD	29 mpg	28 / 31	$3,250
2.2L turbo 4-cyl diesel · 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: CX-5 4WD	28 mpg	27 / 30	$3,350

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 and $6.13 a gallon for diesel. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,143	$179	$10,714
2.5L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$2,308	$192	$11,538
2.2L turbo 4-cyl diesel · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,171	$264	$15,853
2.2L turbo 4-cyl diesel · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$3,284	$274	$16,420

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

2018: gas 28 mpg · diesel 29 mpg

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 2018 CX-5 compares

2018 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.

2018 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Nissan Rogue Best: hybrid	34 mpg	29 mpg	$1,850
Toyota RAV4 Best: hybrid	32 mpg	26 mpg	$1,950
Chevrolet Equinox Best: diesel	32 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
GMC Terrain Best: diesel	32 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Honda CR-V Best: gas	30 mpg	30 mpg	$2,100
Mazda CX-5 This page Best: diesel	29 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Outback Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Forester Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Ford Escape Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Kia Sportage Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Compass Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600

2018 CX-5 recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 356 owner complaints for the 2018 CX-5.

Owners most often describe oil leaks (86 complaints, 24%), then smoke or a burning smell (84). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 to 5 stars, depending on the version.

See the 2018 CX-5 recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2018 Mazda CX-5's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 1 to 2 mpg: the 2.2L turbo 4-cyl diesel gets 29 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 28 with 4WD.

Does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 need premium gas?

No. The diesel runs on diesel fuel, the rest use regular.

How does the 2018 CX-5's MPG compare with the 2017?

For 2018, the best gas version is rated 28 mpg, up 1 from 27.

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.