2026 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2026 Mazda 3 vs Toyota Prius
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 Toyota Prius is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $816 a year to fuel (57 MPG), versus $1,550 for the 2026 Mazda 3 (30 MPG). That's roughly $734 a year, or about $3,671 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 3
- Toyota Prius
Side by side
| Mazda 3 | Toyota Prius | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,550 | Your annual fuel cost | $816 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 57 MPG |
| 27 MPG | City | 57 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 56 MPG |
| 93 cu ft | Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 24 cu ft |
| 294 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 155 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 8/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | CVT |
| 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 3 vs Toyota Prius across model years
- Mazda 3
- Toyota Prius
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 Toyota Prius has more cargo space (24 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 31 2026 midsize cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 15th and the Toyota Prius 3rd for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Mazda 3 is a conventional gas model, while the Toyota Prius is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Mazda 3 or the 2026 Toyota Prius?
Measured by cost to drive, the Toyota Prius. The Mazda 3 is rated 30 MPG combined and the Toyota Prius 57 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Mazda 3 vs. the Toyota Prius per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Mazda 3 and $816 for the Toyota Prius.
Which has more cargo space?
The Toyota Prius, with 24 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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