2018 Mazda MX-5 — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2018 Mazda MX-5 is a coupe powered by a 2L 4-cyl premium gasoline engine. It returns around 35 mpg (UK) / 29 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Mazda MX-5 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2017 Mazda MX-5: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 35 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 35 combined / 31 urban / 42 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 29 combined / 26 city / 35 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 188 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 6 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,850 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2018 Mazda MX-5, all with the 2L 4-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 35 | 29 (26/35) | 188 | $2,850 |
| 2L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 35 | 29 (26/33) | 190 | $2,850 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2018 Mazda MX-5
Running Costs: 2018 Mazda MX-5
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2018 Mazda MX-5 at 35 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,039 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,850 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2018 Mazda MX-5 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 Mazda MX-5 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (1), Fuel system (1), Power train (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 24V695000, reported 18 September 2024. Risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fuel system — campaign 21V875000, reported 12 November 2021. Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Power train — campaign 19V072000, reported 1 February 2019. Risk: If the vehicle abruptly downshifts, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda MX-5. The most-reported areas are Power train (1), Electrical system (1), Engine (1).
Used-buyer checklist for the 2018 Mazda MX-5
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Transmission & drivetrain (1 recall campaign · 1 owner complaint) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Air bags (1 recall campaign) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Fuel system (1 recall campaign) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
- Electrical system (1 owner complaint) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Mazda MX-5 compare to similar coupes? For context, coupes in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 35 mpg figure is 10 mpg better than that average. Its 188 g/km CO₂ figure is 90 g/km lower than the 278 g/km average for coupes on this site. This comparison is based on 1072 coupes in our dataset.
At 35 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 34 mpg average for Mazda models in our database. Its 188 g/km CO₂ figure is 10 g/km lower than the 198 g/km Mazda average.
Of the 17 Mazda MX-5 model years we cover, the 2018 ranks 7th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (35 mpg UK combined, against a high of 36 mpg). See every Mazda MX-5 year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2018 Mazda MX-5
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Mazda MX-5 have?
It's fitted with a 2L 4-cyl premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Mazda MX-5?
The most efficient configuration returns around 35 mpg (UK) combined, or 29 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2018 Mazda MX-5 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,850 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2018 Mazda MX-5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2018 Mazda MX-5 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (1), Fuel system (1), Power train (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 Mazda MX-5?
Among the 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (1 complaint), Electrical system (1 complaint), Engine (1 complaint). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Mazda MX-5's fuel economy good for a coupe?
Yes — it returns around 35 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the coupes we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.