2020 Mazda CX-5 MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 is rated 24 to 28 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2020 Mazda CX-5 · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

28MPG combined

25 city 31 highway

$2,200 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score6/10

2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

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 $2,200 to $2,600 a year. The diesel version offered in 2019 is not listed by EPA for 2020.

Fewer complaints than a typical CX-5 year

The 2020 drew 30 owner complaints in its first three years, against 62 for a typical CX-5 year (42 for a typical year since 2016). It is not picked as a best year: its first three years fell in the pandemic, when people drove less.

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 2020 CX-5's recalls and problems

Every 2020 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
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best 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
2.5L turbo 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: CX-5 4WD	24 mpg	22 / 27	$2,600

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
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,143	$179	$10,714
2.5L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$2,308	$192	$11,538
2.5L turbo 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$2,500	$208	$12,500

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

2020: gas 28 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 2020 CX-5 compares

2020 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.

2020 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Ford Escape Best: hybrid	41 mpg	30 mpg	$1,500
Toyota RAV4 Best: hybrid	40 mpg	30 mpg	$1,550
Honda CR-V Best: hybrid	38 mpg	30 mpg	$1,650
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Subaru Outback Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Subaru Forester Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Chevrolet Equinox Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Mazda CX-5 This page Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
GMC Terrain Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Kia Sportage Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Compass Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500

2020 CX-5 recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 110 owner complaints for the 2020 CX-5.

Owners most often describe infotainment failures (10 complaints, 9%). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2020 CX-5 recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2020 Mazda CX-5's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 2 mpg: the 2.5L 4-cyl gets 28 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 26 with 4WD.

Does the 2020 Mazda CX-5 need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2020 Mazda CX-5 version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2020 CX-5's MPG compare with the 2019?

For 2020, the best gas version is rated 28 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.