2018 head-to-head · Small SUV

2018 Mazda CX-5 Diesel vs Volkswagen Atlas

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
$1,914/ year to fuel
29 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,938/ year to fuel
24 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel and $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2018 Mazda CX-5 Diesel (29 MPG) costs about $1,914 a year to fuel and the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas (24 MPG) about $1,938.

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 CX-5 Diesel
  • Volkswagen Atlas

Side by side

Mazda CX-5 DieselVolkswagen Atlas
$1,914 Your annual fuel cost $1,938
29 MPG Combined efficiency 24 MPG
28 MPG City 22 MPG
31 MPG Highway 26 MPG
348 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 375 g/mi
6/10 EPA fuel economy score 5/10
5/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 5/10
Diesel Powertrain Gas
Diesel Fuel Regular gasoline
2.2L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
6-speed automatic Transmission 8-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 CX-5 Diesel vs Volkswagen Atlas across model years

  • Mazda CX-5 Diesel
  • Volkswagen Atlas

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 68 2018 small SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 Diesel ranks 31st and the Volkswagen Atlas 39th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Mazda CX-5 Diesel is a diesel, while the Volkswagen Atlas is a conventional gas model.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 Diesel or the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?

Measured by cost to drive, the Mazda CX-5 Diesel. The Mazda CX-5 Diesel is rated 29 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Atlas 24 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Mazda CX-5 Diesel vs. the Volkswagen Atlas per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,914 for the Mazda CX-5 Diesel and $1,938 for the Volkswagen Atlas.

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