2026 head-to-head · Two-Seater
2026 Mazda MX-5 vs Nissan Z
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 $2,693 for the 2026 Nissan Z (22 MPG). That's roughly $650 a year, or about $3,250 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 MX-5
- Nissan Z
Side by side
| Mazda MX-5 | Nissan Z | |
|---|---|---|
| $2,043 | Your annual fuel cost | $2,693 |
| 29 MPG | Combined efficiency | 22 MPG |
| 26 MPG | City | 19 MPG |
| 34 MPG | Highway | 28 MPG |
| 305 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 405 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 4/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 4/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Premium gasoline | Fuel | Premium gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed manual | Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| 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.
Mazda MX-5 vs Nissan Z across model years
- Mazda MX-5
- Nissan Z
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 Mazda MX-5 ranks 2nd and the Nissan Z 6th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Mazda MX-5 or the 2026 Nissan Z?
Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda MX-5. The Mazda MX-5 is rated 29 MPG combined and the Nissan Z 22 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Mazda MX-5 vs. the Nissan Z per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.95/gal premium gas, about $2,043 for the Mazda MX-5 and $2,693 for the Nissan Z.
Mazda MX-5 vs Nissan Z in other years
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