2021 head-to-head · Compact Car

2021 Kia Rio vs Mazda 2

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
$1,292/ year to fuel
36 MPG

FWD · 1.6L 4-cyl · CVT · 36 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
$1,329/ year to fuel
35 MPG

On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2021 Kia Rio (36 MPG) costs about $1,292 a year to fuel and the 2021 Mazda 2 (35 MPG) about $1,329.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Kia Rio
  • Mazda 2

Side by side

Kia RioMazda 2
$1,292 Your annual fuel cost $1,329
36 MPG Combined efficiency 35 MPG
33 MPG City 32 MPG
41 MPG Highway 40 MPG
91 cu ft Passenger volume 87 cu ft
17 cu ft Cargo volume 16 cu ft
249 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 253 g/mi
8/10 EPA fuel economy score 7/10
8/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 7/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
1.6L 4-cyl Engine / motor 1.5L 4-cyl
CVT 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.

Kia Rio vs Mazda 2 across model years

  • Kia Rio
  • Mazda 2

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 Kia Rio has more passenger space (91 vs. 87 cu ft); the Kia Rio has more cargo space (17 vs. 16 cu ft).

Among 37 2021 compact cars, the Kia Rio ranks 7th and the Mazda 2 10th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Kia Rio or the 2021 Mazda 2?

Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Rio. The Kia Rio is rated 36 MPG combined and the Mazda 2 35 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Kia Rio vs. the Mazda 2 per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,292 for the Kia Rio and $1,329 for the Mazda 2.

Which has more cargo space?

The Kia Rio, with 17 cu ft of luggage volume versus 16 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Kia Rio vs Mazda 2 in other years

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