Ford C-MAX vs. Mazda RX-8 MPG

Chart is based on 179 fuel economy reports for the Ford C-MAX and 202 fuel economy reports for the Mazda RX-8.

Ford C-MAX MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2017	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	none	0	0	53	47	69	34.8
2015	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	light	24	37	21	19	66	44.4
2014	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Plug-in Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	none	0	20	30	50	65	72.2
2013	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Plug-in Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	light	17	21	42	21	70	63.0
2013	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	flat	light	light	1	18	35	46	63	43.1

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This page shows only averages. See all the Ford C-MAX fuel economy data.

Mazda RX-8 MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2010	4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	1	22	22	55	74	17.1
2009	4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	2	16	29	53	68	17.5
2008	4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	3	16	15	67	72	20.9
2007	4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	5	14	48	33	79	18.4
2007	4dr Coupe 212-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	med	light	15	24	10	51	78	22.5
2006	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	9	10	13	67	66	19.1
2006	4dr Coupe 212-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	med	light	5	28	65	3	60	17.3
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2005	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	6	16	18	60	77	18.6
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	7	25	24	44	77	17.5
2004	4dr Coupe 197-horsepower 1.3L R2 4-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	lead	light	42	12	23	23	70	17.3

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This page shows only averages. See all the Mazda RX-8 fuel economy data.

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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Ford C-MAX

Ford C-MAX Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	The Ford C-MAX's fuel economy is at once the #1 reason most people will buy a C-MAX, but also the model's greatest shortfall. The EPA ratings are an impressive 47 mpg city, 47 highway. In real suburban driving we (and many owners) observed trip computer averages of 33 to 40, with an overall average of 35.8. Go easy on the gas and initiate braking early enough to fully recoup kinetic energy, and low to mid 40s can happen. But 47 is a stretch. There are two ways to look at this. On the one hand, the C-MAX isn't coming close to its EPA ratings. Odds are Ford will have to make an adjustment and credit past buyers for the difference, Hyundai-Kia style. (Which actually might be a reason to buy one before this happens.) On the other hand, even 36 mpg is about 8-12 miles-per-gallon better than similarly functional non-hybrid vehicles, including the related Ford Escape. Efficiency is supported by excellent, highly configurable instrumentation. I personally opted to view a tach (rare in a hybrid), driving style ratings, and average mpg. A "brake coach" lets you know after each stop what percentage of kinetic energy was regenerated. In hybrids, this has a large impact on mpg than how hard you accelerate (more on this below). The C-MAX is also offered as an "Energi" Plug-in Hybrid rated to cruise 21 miles on electricity alone. see full Ford C-MAX review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Ford C-MAX

Ford C-MAX Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	With some care, it is not too hard to surpass the revised EPA estimates of 44 city / 39 highway. It particulary shines in city and suburban driving where you can crest 50 mpg on some short trips. In mixed driving, we match the EPA estimate of 40 MPG without paying much attention. While not as great as the Prius, this efficiency was certainly a step up for us and the difference in fuel costs over a year between the C-Max and Prius was not worth the shortcomings we found in the Prius (particularly poor handling and uncomfortable seats). see full Ford C-MAX review

Ford C-MAX Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Hatch 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	On the down side for fuel economy, cold weather does a number on the MPG as is reported with other hybrid. On short trips (4 miles or less) on a cold start in cold weather with the heater going, expect low 20s for your MPG. This is mitigated over longer trips once the engine has warmed up, but we still get 1-3 MPG under our usual in cold weather for longer trips. see full Ford C-MAX review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Mazda RX-8

Mazda RX-8 Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	One of the big downsides of the rotary is truly horrendous fuel economy. When the RX-8 first came out in the early 2000s, its mileage ratings of 16/22 city/highway mpg (stick shift) were just barely acceptable, but there days, with many crossovers hitting more than 30 mpg on the highway, those figures are truly atrocious, especially given respectable but certainly not neck-snapping power. Futhermore, it takes premium. If you're using the RX-8 as it commuter, fuel costs will add up quickly. In my predominantly around-town driving, I typically average between 16-17 mpg. My highest recorded average was 20 mpg on a highway trip at speeds around 75 mph. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2007	4dr Coupe 212-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	The EPA numbers are way low compared with my real-world experience. The window sticker showed 18/25 and I have never seen less than 23 with my 40/60 city/highway commute. I think Mazda should develop a lean-burn economy cruise mode for this car. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2006	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Lite bit to high consumption when I drive it in normal speed. On full woot its ok. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2005	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Worst fuel economy in its class. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Not that bad for what it is, but it seems to me that Mazda's Sky Active technology could help the city mileage. It just needs more R&D. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	At 16 m.p.g. on premium grade these days it could be cheaper to take a taxi. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	For a small engine displacement and a relatively light vehicle weight, the gas mileage is weak. I usualy get around 19mpg, and that does not realy matter if I am doing all city or all highway driving. I think the real problem is in the sixth gear it isnt much different than fifth gear so it does not provide good fuel economy. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	For a car with a 1.9 liter engine I would have expected better than 16-19 MPG. Get your foot into it and the numbers fall drastically. Otherwise I loved that car. It just got too small with a newborn and a big dog. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	I gets 20MPG no matter what I do. Running around 20. 1/2 highway 20. All the highway all day 25-26. I think that it could do better. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	16-18MPG city, 24MPG highway see full Mazda RX-8 review