Mazda MX-5 vs Chevrolet Corvette
The Mazda MX-5 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 30 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Chevrolet Corvette, a 9 mpg advantage and costs about $700 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Mazda MX-5 leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
Chevrolet Corvette
Two Seaters · 49 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Mazda MX-5 | Chevrolet Corvette |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 30 mpg ✓ | 21 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 27 mpg ✓ | 17 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 36 mpg ✓ | 29 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,550 ✓ | $3,250 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 298 g/mi ✓ | 426 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI, 2.0 | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI; Hybrid |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd, Manual 5-spd | Automatic (S8), Manual 7-spd |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Two Seaters | Two Seaters |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 25 | 49 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
MX-5 vs Corvette: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Mazda MX-5 or the Chevrolet Corvette?
The Mazda MX-5 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 30 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Chevrolet Corvette, a 9 mpg advantage and costs about $700 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Mazda MX-5 runs about $2,550 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,250 for the Chevrolet Corvette — a difference of roughly $700 per year.
What engines do the MX-5 and Corvette offer?
Mazda MX-5: SIDI, 2.0. Chevrolet Corvette: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI; Hybrid.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Mazda MX-5 and the Chevrolet Corvette as Two Seaters, so they compete directly.
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