2026 head-to-head · Two-Seater
2026 BMW Z4 vs Mazda MX-5
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2026 Mazda MX-5 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $2,043 a year to fuel (29 MPG), versus $2,116 for the 2026 BMW Z4 (28 MPG). That's roughly $73 a year, or about $365 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
- BMW Z4
- Mazda MX-5
Side by side
| BMW Z4 | Mazda MX-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,116 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,043 |
| 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 29 MPG |
| 25 MPG | City | 26 MPG |
| 33 MPG | Highway | 34 MPG |
| 312 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 305 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| RWD | Drivetrain | RWD |
✓ 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.
BMW Z4 vs Mazda MX-5 across model years
- BMW Z4
- Mazda MX-5
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
Among 20 2026 two-seaters, the BMW Z4 ranks 3rd and the Mazda MX-5 2nd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 BMW Z4 or the 2026 Mazda MX-5?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda MX-5. The BMW Z4 is rated 28 MPG combined and the Mazda MX-5 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 BMW Z4 vs. the Mazda MX-5 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,116 for the BMW Z4 and $2,043 for the Mazda MX-5.
BMW Z4 vs Mazda MX-5 in other years
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