Mazda RX-8 — MPG & Fuel Costs 2025
Mazda's unique quad-door coupe, powered by a high-revving Renesis rotary engine. High fuel and oil consumption.
The Mazda RX-8 is a unique sports coupe featuring rear suicide doors for passenger access and powered by a 1.3-litre twin-rotor Renesis rotary engine.
The rotary engine offers a smooth power delivery and revs all the way to 9,000 RPM, but it is notorious for high fuel consumption, high road tax, and seal wear.
Real-world fuel economy is very low, with drivers averaging around 18 MPG, and motorway cruises struggling to exceed 24 MPG even under gentle driving.
TL;DR
18 MPG
Real-world petrol
61L
Tank capacity
£83.45
Full tank (petrol)
34.5p
Per mile (petrol)
Real-World Fuel Economy: The Mazda RX-8 achieves an estimated 18 MPG in real-world UK driving conditions, accounting for a 12% WLTP real-world penalty.
Forecourt Fuel Cost: Refueling the 61-litre tank completely costs approximately £83.45 at average UK fuel price rates.
Fuel economy at a glance
18
Real-world MPG
Petrol
24.8
Official WLTP
Petrol
Annual fuel costs by mileage
| Annual mileage | Petrol |
|---|---|
| 5,000 miles/yr | £1727 |
| 7,400 miles/yr(UK average) | £2557 |
| 10,000 miles/yr | £3455 |
| 15,000 miles/yr | £5182 |
| 20,000 miles/yr | £6910 |
| Full tank (61L) | £83.45 |
| Cost per mile | 34.5p |
Based on UK average fuel prices: petrol 136.8p/L · diesel 142.1p/L. Prices updated regularly.
How does the RX-8 compare?
Tips to get better MPG from your RX-8
Rotary engines are highly inefficient at low RPM; avoid lugging the engine in high gears.
Check oil levels at every other fuel fill; rotary engines consume oil as part of their design.
Avoid short trips where the engine does not reach operating temperature, to prevent flooding.
Is the cheaper petrol station worth it?
In a Mazda RX-8 achieving ~18 MPG real-world, if you fill 49 litres and the alternative station is 10p/litre cheaper:
£4.90
Gross saving on fuel
£1.04
Cost of 3-mile detour
£3.86
Net saving ✓
You could drive up to 14 miles round-trip before the saving disappears entirely.
Calculate for your exact situationPopular variants
Frequently asked questions
What is the real-world MPG of the Mazda RX-8?
The Mazda RX-8 achieves approximately 18 MPG in real-world petrol driving — around 12% lower than the official WLTP figure of 24.8 MPG due to real driving conditions. Diesel variants achieve around N/A MPG real-world.
How much does it cost to fill a Mazda RX-8?
The Mazda RX-8 has a fuel tank of 61 litres. At the UK average of 136.8p/litre for petrol, a full tank costs approximately £83.45. Diesel costs approximately £86.68 for a full tank.
What is the annual fuel cost for a Mazda RX-8?
At the UK average annual mileage of 7,400 miles and current petrol price of 136.8p/litre, a Mazda RX-8 costs approximately £2557 per year in fuel. At 10,000 miles/year the cost rises to £3455. Actual costs vary with your driving style and mileage.
Is it worth driving to a cheaper petrol station in a Mazda RX-8?
In a Mazda RX-8 doing ~18 MPG real-world, driving 3 miles round-trip to save 10p/litre on a 49-litre fill nets approximately £3.86 after the extra fuel cost. You could drive up to 14 miles before the saving is eaten up. Use the WorthThePump calculator for your exact situation.
How much does the Mazda RX-8 cost per mile in fuel?
The Mazda RX-8 costs approximately 34.5p per mile in petrol at current UK prices. Over a typical commute of 30 miles per day, that is approximately £10.35 per day in fuel.
What is the WLTP MPG figure for the Mazda RX-8?
The official WLTP fuel economy figure for the Mazda RX-8 is 24.8 MPG. However, real-world MPG is typically 10–15% lower than WLTP due to cold starts, air conditioning, motorway speeds, and varying loads. WorthThePump uses a 12% real-world penalty to give a more accurate estimate.
Related guides
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