2021 Mazda3 MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2021 Mazda3 is rated 26 to 31 mpg combined across 8 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2021 Mazda3 · 8 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

31MPG combined

28 city 36 highway

$2,000 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score7/10

2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version saves $1,000 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 $2,000 to $2,400 a year. Compared with 2020, the best gas version is up 1 mpg.

More complaints than a typical Mazda3 year

The 2021 drew 31 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 2021 Mazda3's recalls and problems

Every 2021 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 Best EPA listing: 3 4-Door 2WD	31 mpg	28 / 36	$2,000
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · sedan EPA listing: 3 4-Door 2WD (also 3 4-Door 2WD)	30 mpg	26 / 35	$2,100
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback EPA listing: 3 5-Door 2WD	29 mpg	26 / 34	$2,150
2.5L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · sedan EPA listing: 3 4-Door 4WD (also 3 4-Door 4WD)	28 mpg	25 / 33	$2,200
2.5L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback EPA listing: 3 5-Door 4WD	27 mpg	25 / 31	$2,300
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: 3 5-Door 2WD	27 mpg	24 / 33	$2,300
2.5L turbo 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · sedan EPA listing: 3 4-Door 4WD	27 mpg	23 / 32	$2,300
2.5L turbo 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback EPA listing: 3 5-Door 4WD	26 mpg	23 / 31	$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 automatic	$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	$2,069	$172	$10,345
2.5L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · sedan	$2,143	$179	$10,714
2.5L 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback	$2,222	$185	$11,111
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,222	$185	$11,111
2.5L turbo 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · sedan	$2,222	$185	$11,111
2.5L turbo 4-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · hatchback	$2,308	$192	$11,538

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.

2021: gas 31 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 2021 Mazda3 compares

2021 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.

2021 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota Prius Best: hybrid	56 mpg	–	$1,100
Hyundai Elantra Best: hybrid	54 mpg	37 mpg	$1,150
Toyota Corolla Best: hybrid	52 mpg	35 mpg	$1,200
Honda Civic Best: gas	36 mpg	36 mpg	$1,750
Kia Forte Best: gas	35 mpg	35 mpg	$1,800
Volkswagen Jetta Best: gas	34 mpg	34 mpg	$1,850
Nissan Sentra Best: gas	33 mpg	33 mpg	$1,900
Mazda3 This page Best: gas	31 mpg	31 mpg	$2,000

2021 Mazda3 recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 55 owner complaints for the 2021 Mazda3.

Owners most often describe excessive oil consumption (10 complaints, 18%), then shaking or vibration (5). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2021 Mazda3 recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2021 Mazda3'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 30 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 28 with 4WD.

Does the 2021 Mazda3 need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2021 Mazda3 version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2021 Mazda3's MPG compare with the 2020?

For 2021, the best gas version is rated 31 mpg, up 1 from 30.

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.