Does the 1988 Mazda 626/MX-6 need premium gas?
It depends on the trim. Some versions take premium and some take regular — check your exact engine/transmission below.
| Trim (engine / transmission) | Fuel | MPG | Fuel/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, FWD | REGULAR | 24 | $2,600 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, FWD | REGULAR | 22 | $2,850 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, FWD | PREMIUM | 21 | $3,650 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, FWD | PREMIUM | 19 | $4,050 |
The EPA records the fuel each version was tested on. Whether premium is strictly required or just recommended is an owner's-manual detail the EPA dataset doesn't include — so we don't guess it.
4 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov · retrieved 2026-06-14.