Nissan Xterra vs. Mazda RX-8 MPG

Chart is based on 569 fuel economy reports for the Nissan Xterra and 202 fuel economy reports for the Mazda RX-8.

Nissan Xterra 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
2013	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	med	hvy	2	5	8	85	80	18.3
2012	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	3	10	15	72	99	18.5
2011	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	v.lt	light	20	10	40	30	55	20.4
2011	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	0	32	12	56	82	16.1
2010	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	mtns	light	none	0	0	10	90	110	12.4
2010	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	light	2	12	30	56	70	17.7
2009	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	10	60	20	10	75	16.5
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2008	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	2	36	4	59	72	18.8
2008	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	light	12	12	15	62	65	18.1
2007	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	light	5	5	60	30	70	17.8
2007	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	hvy	15	60	25	0	0	15.7
2007	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	light	3	15	53	30	65	17.8
2006	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	5	35	35	25	75	19.0
2006	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	med	light	5	26	12	57	67	17.0
2006	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	hvy	0	2	29	69	80	21.3
2006	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	med	none	0	50	0	50	78	15.5
2005	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	mtns	med	light	0	0	15	85	75	23.6
2005	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	light	10	0	40	50	65	16.7
2004	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	light	light	3	6	22	70	60	16.1
2004	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	v.lt	none	0	100	0	0	0	20.0
2004	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	light	none	3	14	27	57	65	16.9
2004	4dr SUV 143-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	hvy	26	12	3	59	68	17.2
2003	4dr SUV supercharged 210hp 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	med	light	10	30	30	30	75	11.2
2003	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	light	light	28	13	10	50	88	17.8
2003	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	med	light	0	0	47	53	65	16.8
2003	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	light	none	17	29	29	25	63	15.9
2002	4dr SUV supercharged 210hp 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	none	1	75	15	9	60	15.5
2002	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	hills	med	none	0	0	30	70	60	16.8
2002	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	light	4	31	58	8	65	16.4
2002	4dr SUV 143-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	hvy	30	5	20	45	65	24.8
2001	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual RWD	flat	light	none	30	10	40	20	55	19.2
2001	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	none	1	2	0	97	75	19.0
2001	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	lead	light	30	10	30	30	70	15.5
2000	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	hvy	40	40	0	20	60	17.0
2000	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	flat	med	light	10	15	15	60	60	17.0

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This page shows only averages. See all the Nissan Xterra 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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What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Nissan Xterra

Nissan Xterra Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	Most people who drove or owned xterra, complain about fuel economy. I say bs: compare it with its true, truck-based SUV competitors - and there are only 3 of them: toyota 4runner and fj cruiser, and jeep wrangler rubicon. Thats all! All others are not to be compared to xterra - they are just car-based SUVs (even new nissan pathfinder is just a car!).rnWhen you compare xterra with correct competitors, you will find that its fuel economy is excellent: my trip computer and calculations show the best economy of 10.3 l/100km on highway at 95 km/h without aircon, on cruise control, on a warm day. My worst is 19.3 l/100km during heavy winter offroading through 3 feet of snow (and it was quite wet snow), using 4x4 low with lockers. From my comparis see full Nissan Xterra review

Nissan Xterra Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	I don't see how the fuel economy could be improved, given what the vehicle is. But I can't say that I am happy with the poor fuel economy. see full Nissan Xterra review
2008	4dr SUV 261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	Fuel economy is not the best, I average around 15-16 in the city and 18-20 on the highway. see full Nissan Xterra review
2006	4dr SUV 265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range	Although the 2005+ gets better fuel economy than the previous incarnation, it won't compete with the light weight car-based CUVs on the market. If you want the strong chassis and off road performance you will feel it at the pump. Off road modifications like extra armor, dual spare tires, larger tires, and gear don't help either. see full Nissan Xterra review
2003	4dr SUV 180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD	Mileage is terrible for an engine of this size and power output. see full Nissan Xterra 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