Mazda3 fuel consumption

The 2.0L 4cyl supercharged petrol is cheaper to run than the 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel

The 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel is the leaner of the two at 6.1 L/100km against 6.5, but it runs on Diesel at $2.82 a litre where the 2.0L 4cyl supercharged petrol takes ULP 95 at $2.57. Per 100 km that is $17.25 against $16.65, so the thirstier engine is about $91 a year ahead at 15,000 km.

The 2.0L 4cyl petrol and the 2.5L 4cyl petrol are rated within 0.1

7.6 and 7.7 L/100km on the road, both on ULP 91, 0.1 apart, which is about $36 a year. Sorted by what they use, the widest gap between consecutive engines in the range is the 2.5L 4cyl petrol to the 2.3L 4cyl petrol: 2.6 L/100km.

10.6 in 2003, 6.5 in 2026

The leanest Mazda3 of 2003 was rated 10.6 L/100km on the road; the leanest of 2026 is 6.5, 39% less.

5 steps got it there, each one an engine arriving:

• 2006 — 10.2 L/100km with the 2.0L 4cyl petrol, taking 0.4 L/100km off the previous best.
• 2007 — 7.2 L/100km with the 2.0L 4cyl turbo diesel, taking 3.0 L/100km off the previous best.
• 2010 — 6.8 L/100km with the 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel, taking 0.4 L/100km off the previous best.
• 2014 — 6.6 L/100km with the 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel, taking 0.2 L/100km off the previous best.
• 2015 — 6.1 L/100km with the 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel, taking 0.5 L/100km off the previous best.

750 km on a tank, at best

The 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel has the longest legs of the range: 750 km from 51 litres, with a reserve kept back. That is Melbourne to Adelaide (726 km) in one go, and Broken Hill to Dubbo (755 km) with one stop.

Fuel for that drive, at today's medians: 44 litres and about $125 in the 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel, against 86 litres and $222 in the 2.3L 4cyl turbo petrol — $96 between them for the same trip.

Fourth leanest of 4 passenger cars

At 6.1 L/100km on its best engine, the Mazda3 sits 1.4 L/100km behind the i30 (4.7) and against a class median of 5.0 — about 210 litres a year between it and the leader at 15,000 km.

Every Mazda3 engine

Lab figure plus 20%, which is OTW's adjustment. Costs use today's Australian medians: ULP 91 $2.40, ULP 95 $2.57, Diesel $2.82. Tank sizes are OTW's estimates.

Mazda3 fuel consumption by model year

What was on offer in each year the Mazda3 was sold, so a figure can be matched to a particular car rather than to the badge. Where a year lists several engines, both ends of that year's range are shown.

Real-world L/100km: the figure published for that engine in that year, plus 20%.

Questions

How much fuel does a Mazda3 use?

On the road, 6.1 to 11.9 L/100km across the 7 engines sold between 2003 and 2026: 6.1 for the 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel, 11.9 for the 2.3L 4cyl turbo petrol. Lab figures plus 20%.

Which Mazda3 is cheapest to run?

The 2.0L 4cyl supercharged petrol, at $16.65 per 100 km — not the leaner 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel, which costs $17.25 because Diesel is $2.82 a litre against $2.57. About $91 a year apart.

Mazda3 2.0L 4cyl petrol or 2.5L 4cyl petrol?

Both take ULP 91 and there is no fuel difference worth having: 7.6 against 7.7 L/100km, 0.1 apart.

How far can a Mazda3 go on a tank?

About 750 km at best — the 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel on its 51 litre tank, keeping a reserve. That is Melbourne to Adelaide (726 km) without stopping, and Broken Hill to Dubbo (755 km) with one stop.

Has the Mazda3 got more economical since 2003?

Yes: 10.6 L/100km for the leanest 2003 Mazda3, 6.5 for the leanest in 2026 — 39% less, in 5 steps, the last in 2015.

Is the Mazda3 economical for a passenger car?

Fourth of 4 on its leanest engine: 6.1 L/100km against the i30's 4.7 and a class median of 5.0.

What does it cost to fill a Mazda3?

About $143.77 for the 2.2L 4cyl turbo diesel's 51 litres at $2.82 a litre, $131.02 for the 2.3L 4cyl turbo petrol's 51.