Photo: Mazda CX-50 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. It shows the model, not always this exact version.
Mazda · model year 2026
2026 Mazda CX-50 4WD
SUV · 4-Wheel Drive · Gas · EPA class: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Where it places
- 163 Fuel-efficient SUVs
Ordered by combined MPG #163 of 479 - 285 Fuel-efficient small SUVs
Ordered by combined MPG #285 of 521 - 10 Mazda cars
Every model year, newest first #10 of 1,156 - 718 2026 cars and trucks
Every car of that year, A to Z #718 of 1,172 - 380 Fuel-efficient AWD and 4WD cars
Ordered by combined MPG #380 of 1,362 - 536 Gas and hybrid cars by fuel cost
Ordered by fuel a year #536 of 2,158
Against fuel-efficient SUVs
The CarCody take
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 4WD is a small sport utility vehicle with four-wheel drive, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine and an automatic S6 transmission. It returns 25 MPG combined, with 23 MPG city and 29 MPG highway. Fuel costs are listed at $2,700 a year, and tailpipe CO2 is 355 grams per mile.
Good to know
- Four-wheel drive is the drive system for this model.
- 25 MPG combined, with 29 MPG highway.
- 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine.
Watch for
- 23 MPG city is lower than its highway rating.
- Listed annual fuel cost is $2,700.
- Tailpipe CO2 is 355 grams per mile.
- Runs on gasoline.
Who it suits. Drivers who want a four-wheel-drive SUV. Mixed city and highway driving. Buyers comparing Mazda SUVs by fuel use.
Choose the 2026 CX-50 4WD when four-wheel drive matters more than minimizing gasoline use. Its 25 MPG combined rating gives everyday mixed driving a clear expectation, and the highway figure reaches 29 MPG. Budget around $2,700 for a year of fuel under the listed estimate. The gasoline engine, automatic S6 transmission and 355-gram-per-mile tailpipe CO2 figure make the running-cost trade-off plain.
What it is
This 2026 Mazda CX-50 is a gasoline SUV classified as a Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD. Its drivetrain sends power through four-wheel drive.
The numbers
The combined rating is 25 MPG. That is the single figure to use for a mixed commute with both city streets and highways.
City driving is rated at 23 MPG, while highway driving is 29 MPG. Your result will depend on how much of each type of driving you do.
What it costs to run
The listed annual fuel cost is $2,700. The CX-50 4WD runs on gasoline, and its tailpipe CO2 figure is 355 grams per mile.
How it compares
Use the 25 MPG combined figure as your starting point when comparing this CX-50 with other Mazda cars. For a wider SUV comparison, check fuel-efficient SUVs.
Who it suits
This CX-50 fits a buyer who wants an SUV with four-wheel drive and accepts gasoline running costs. Its 23 MPG city and 29 MPG highway ratings suit driving that mixes urban and open-road miles.
Trade-offs
Four-wheel drive and the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine define the powertrain, while the 25 MPG combined rating sets its fuel-use baseline.
City efficiency is lower than highway efficiency at 23 MPG versus 29 MPG. The listed $2,700 yearly fuel cost and 355 grams of CO2 per mile are part of that choice.
Verdict
Choose the 2026 CX-50 4WD when four-wheel drive matters more than minimizing gasoline use. Its 25 MPG combined rating gives everyday mixed driving a clear expectation, and the highway figure reaches 29 MPG. Budget around $2,700 for a year of fuel under the listed estimate. The gasoline engine, automatic S6 transmission and 355-gram-per-mile tailpipe CO2 figure make the running-cost trade-off plain.
Every figure on record
- Combined MPG
- 25 MPG
- City MPG
- 23 MPG
- Highway MPG
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,700
- Tailpipe CO₂
- 355 g per mile
- Model year
- 2026
- Body
- SUV
- EPA size class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Drive
- 4-Wheel Drive
- Engine
- 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Questions
What is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 4WD’s combined MPG?
Its combined rating is 25 MPG.
What are its city and highway MPG figures?
It is rated at 23 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway.
How much fuel does it cost to run each year?
The listed annual fuel cost is $2,700.
Does the CX-50 4WD use gasoline?
Yes. The fuel type is gasoline.
What is its tailpipe CO2 figure?
Tailpipe CO2 is listed at 355 grams per mile.
Cars around it
2026 Mazda CX-30 4WD
25 MPG · $2,700 fuel a year
2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz FWD
25 MPG · $2,700 fuel a year
2026 Lincoln Corsair FWD
25 MPG · $2,700 fuel a year
2027 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 4Motion
25 MPG · $2,700 fuel a year
2026 Lexus RX 350
25 MPG · $3,300 fuel a year
2027 Volvo XC90 B5 AWD
25 MPG · $3,300 fuel a year
2025 Toyota Highlander
25 MPG · $2,700 fuel a year