2018 Mazda3 MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2018 Mazda3 is rated 28 to 32 mpg combined across 8 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback.

EPA fuel economy

2018 Mazda3 · 8 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

32MPG combined

28 city 37 highway

$1,950 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score7/10

2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback

Best version saves $1,250 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 $1,950 to $2,200 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2017.

About a typical Mazda3 year

The 2018 drew 19 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 26 for a typical Mazda3 year (about 18 for a typical year since 2016).

Years to avoid: 2010 and 2012. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Mazda3 year ranked The 2018 Mazda3's recalls and problems

Every 2018 Mazda3 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 automatic · hatchback Best EPA listing: 3 5-Door	32 mpg	28 / 37	$1,950
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · sedan EPA listing: 3 4-Door	31 mpg	28 / 37	$2,000
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · hatchback EPA listing: 3 5-Door	31 mpg	27 / 37	$2,000
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · sedan EPA listing: 3 4-Door	31 mpg	28 / 38	$2,000
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback EPA listing: 3 5-Door	30 mpg	26 / 35	$2,100
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · sedan EPA listing: 3 4-Door	30 mpg	27 / 36	$2,100
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · sedan EPA listing: 3 4-Door	29 mpg	25 / 34	$2,150
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · hatchback EPA listing: 3 5-Door	28 mpg	25 / 33	$2,200

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 automatic · hatchback	$1,875	$156	$9,375
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · sedan	$1,935	$161	$9,677
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · sedan	$1,935	$161	$9,677
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · hatchback	$1,935	$161	$9,677
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · sedan	$2,000	$167	$10,000
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback	$2,000	$167	$10,000
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · sedan	$2,069	$172	$10,345
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · hatchback	$2,143	$179	$10,714

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

Mazda3 MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 28 to 33 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2014.

2018: gas 32 mpg

Show as a table

Mazda3 best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version
2010	28
2011	28
2012	32
2013	32
2014	33
2015	33
2016	33
2017	32
2018	32
2019	30
2020	30
2021	31
2022	31
2023	31
2024	31
2025	31
2026	30

Every Mazda3 year's ratings in one table

How the 2018 Mazda3 compares

2018 compact cars 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
Toyota Prius Best: hybrid	56 mpg	–	$1,100
Honda Civic Best: gas	36 mpg	36 mpg	$1,750
Hyundai Elantra Best: gas	35 mpg	35 mpg	$1,800
Toyota Corolla Best: gas	34 mpg	34 mpg	$1,850
Volkswagen Jetta Best: gas	33 mpg	33 mpg	$1,900
Nissan Sentra Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950
Kia Forte Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950
Mazda3 This page Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950

2018 Mazda3 recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 110 owner complaints for the 2018 Mazda3.

Owners most often describe backup camera problems (19 complaints, 17%), then wiper failures (12). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2018 Mazda3 recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2018 Mazda3 need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2018 Mazda3 version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2018 Mazda3's MPG compare with the 2017?

For 2018, the best gas version is rated 32 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.