2017 head-to-head · Midsize Car

2017 Mazda 6 vs Volkswagen Passat

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
$1,550/ year to fuel
30 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,722/ year to fuel
27 MPG

The 2017 Mazda 6 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,550 a year to fuel (30 MPG), versus $1,722 for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat (27 MPG). That's roughly $172 a year, or about $861 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 6
  • Volkswagen Passat

Side by side

Mazda 6Volkswagen Passat
$1,550 Your annual fuel cost $1,722
30 MPG Combined efficiency 27 MPG
27 MPG City 23 MPG
35 MPG Highway 34 MPG
100 cu ft Passenger volume 102 cu ft
15 cu ft Cargo volume 16 cu ft
299 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 329 g/mi
7/10 EPA fuel economy score 6/10
7/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 6/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl Engine / motor 1.8L 4-cyl turbo
6-speed automatic Transmission 6-speed automatic
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 6 vs Volkswagen Passat across model years

  • Mazda 6
  • Volkswagen Passat

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 Volkswagen Passat has more cargo space (16 vs. 15 cu ft).

Among 67 2017 midsize cars, the Mazda 6 ranks 28th and the Volkswagen Passat 31st for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Mazda 6 or the 2017 Volkswagen Passat?

Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda 6. The Mazda 6 is rated 30 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Passat 27 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Mazda 6 vs. the Volkswagen Passat per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Mazda 6 and $1,722 for the Volkswagen Passat.

Which has more cargo space?

The Volkswagen Passat, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 15 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Mazda 6 vs Volkswagen Passat in other years

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