2017 head-to-head · Compact Car

2017 Mazda 3 vs Mitsubishi Lancer

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,453/ year to fuel
32 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,550/ year to fuel
30 MPG

The 2017 Mazda 3 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,453 a year to fuel (32 MPG), versus $1,550 for the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer (30 MPG). That's roughly $97 a year, or about $484 over five years.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Mazda 3
  • Mitsubishi Lancer

Side by side

Mazda 3Mitsubishi Lancer
$1,453 Your annual fuel cost $1,550
32 MPG Combined efficiency 30 MPG
28 MPG City 27 MPG
37 MPG Highway 34 MPG
96 cu ft Passenger volume 93 cu ft
12 cu ft Cargo volume 12 cu ft
281 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 295 g/mi
7/10 EPA fuel economy score 7/10
7/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 7/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl
6-speed automatic Transmission CVT
FWD Drivetrain FWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Mazda 3 vs Mitsubishi Lancer across model years

  • Mazda 3
  • Mitsubishi Lancer

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Per EPA interior volume figures, the Mazda 3 has more passenger space (96 vs. 93 cu ft).

Among 50 2017 compact cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 14th and the Mitsubishi Lancer 24th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Mazda 3 or the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 is rated 32 MPG combined and the Mitsubishi Lancer 30 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Mazda 3 vs. the Mitsubishi Lancer per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,453 for the Mazda 3 and $1,550 for the Mitsubishi Lancer.

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