2021 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2021 Chevrolet Malibu vs Mazda 6
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,453 a year to fuel (32 MPG), versus $1,603 for the 2021 Mazda 6 (29 MPG). That's roughly $150 a year, or about $752 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Mazda 6
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu | Mazda 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,453 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,603 |
| 32 MPG | Combined efficiency | 29 MPG |
| 29 MPG | City | 26 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 35 MPG |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 100 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 273 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 302 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| CVT | Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Chevrolet Malibu vs Mazda 6 across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Mazda 6
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Mazda 6 has more cargo space (15 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 54 2021 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu ranks 18th and the Mazda 6 23rd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2021 Mazda 6?
Measured by cost to drive, the Chevrolet Malibu. The Chevrolet Malibu is rated 32 MPG combined and the Mazda 6 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu vs. the Mazda 6 per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,453 for the Chevrolet Malibu and $1,603 for the Mazda 6.
Which has more cargo space?
The Mazda 6, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Malibu vs Mazda 6 in other years
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